Workforce Development Specialist; Back Yards

The Institute for Nonviolence Chicago’s mission is to end the cycle of gun violence in Chicago using Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s principles and teachings of nonviolence. Informed by a philosophy of nonviolence, Nonviolence Chicago will establish caring and sustained relationships with participants engaged in the cycle of violence. We will emphasize partnerships with community members, leaders, social service providers, and local law enforcement to reduce community levels of violence.

We will help create a safer, healthier environment for young adults, youth, and their families. These general approaches will be specifically addressed using five major methods:
Community Violence Intervention (CVI) / Street Outreach, Individualized Service Provision, Victim Support Services, Behavioral Health and Nonviolence Training.

The Institute for Nonviolence’s workforce programming is offered in three Chicago neighborhoods, Austin, West Garfield Park, Back of the Yards and Brighton Park. The Workforce Development Specialist will facilitate a professional job-readiness curriculum that focuses on interviewing techniques, workplace competencies, and socio‑emotional skill‑building for participants from Back of the Yards.

When not in the classroom, the specialist also oversees overall participant management, such as addressing individual participant needs, monitoring attendance and ability to complete assignments, and evaluating overall socio‑emotional skill development. The specialist therefore also completes case notes and provides referrals for additional services, as needed.

• Facilitate a professional job readiness curriculum that focuses on interviewing techniques, workplace competencies and socio‑emotional skill‑building to participants from the community
• Oversee overall participant management, such as addressing individual participant needs, monitoring attendance and ability to complete assignments, and evaluating overall socio‑emotional skill development
• Complete case notes and provide referrals to outside organizations for additional services, as needed
• Consistently assess the effectiveness of the workforce program and provide feedback to supervisor on innovative/new ideas for growth and improvement
• In collaboration with the Associate Director, develop and maintain positive, long‑term relationships with local apprentice programs and employers to create a pipeline to job placement for program participants
• Attend activities in the community relating to employment services and connect with employers, job readiness training programs, and community organizations on a frequent basis to market and enrich the program and the success of the participants
• Assist with the planning and execution of a graduation for each cohort of participants
• Complete required trainings, including but not limited to cognitive behavioral intervention (CBI) training and facilitator coaching

• Maintains a passionate commitment to social justice, equity, and violence reduction in the City of Chicago
• Minimum of two years of experience facilitating workforce training/job readiness training or conducting one‑on‑one career coaching with justice‑involved individuals
• High School diploma/GED required. Bachelor’s degree preferred or at least two year’s experience working with formerly incarcerated and/or street‑involved individuals and awareness of trauma reactions
• Must have valid Illinois driver’s license and be able to independently travel throughout Chicago and surrounding suburbs
• Basic computer skills, including ability to complete required research, data entry tasks, communicate via email, and complete basic word processing tasks, as needed
• Excellent verbal communication skills and ability to communicate effectively in writing
• Basic knowledge of the south and westside community and current street conflicts
• Willingness to learn and commit to the principles of nonviolence, restorative justice and trauma‑informed practices
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate groups and lead and organize presentations
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in written form with a diverse…