Workforce Instructional Counselor

Background:

Chicago CRED is a mission driven organization working to achieve transformational reduction in violence in Chicago. CRED does its work by offering direct services to those who are at the highest risk of violence, advocating for policy reform to increase public investment into community violence interventions, and promoting cross-sector coordination to achieve maximum impact.

Department Function:

The Workforce Readiness Instructional Counselor will be responsible for counseling CRED participants in group and individual sessions to use cognitive behavioral strategies to build soft workforce readiness skills. This position facilitates building job market preparation and resilience among a group of young adults who have experienced extreme exposure to past and current violent traumatic events. The Workforce Readiness Instructional Counselor will use the best evidence curriculum and one on one coaching skills to enable participants to apply cognitive behavioral skills they have been learning throughout CRED to the unique challenges and stresses of succeeding in employment and training programs and ultimately maintaining full-time employment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the adjustment of best practice CBI workforce readiness curriculum in conjunction with CRED staff to fully integrate CBI Workforce support groups with CRED’s broader CBI curriculum.
• Implement Workforce CBI curriculum for all CRED participants enrolled in the Employment and Training program.
• Continually assess motivation for work and employment and training processes.
• Execute Soft Skill Workforce Workshop(with a social emotional component) sessions five times a week and adjust curriculum as needed.
• Conduct bi-monthly one on one meetings with CRED participants to re-enforce group collaboration on an individual level.
• Assist CREDWorks team members on language and principles for the continued implementation of individual soft skill sessions, independently.
• Assess skills development and motivational increases for participants in conjunction with Makerspace Instructional Manager.
• Assess and document job readiness for all participants within CREDWORKS.
• Work with internal teams to manage meetings for all participants in CREDWorks.
• Manage the curriculum instruction for CREDWorks Men, CREDWorks Women, and Phase 3 programming as needed; Curriculum instruction will be both in-person and online.
• Must be able to create and adjust CBI/soft skill lessons to meet the needs of the participants or program;
• Partner with leaders to assess and understand business needs, recommend and implement solutions for delivering effective and leading-edge learning and development programs for individual and team development
• Support strategic initiatives by providing input and content expertise on learning and development programs
• Create effective and professional training content and materials and develop appropriate training paths for career progression
• Design impactful and engaging learning solutions utilizing various delivery platforms
• Coordinate and facilitate workforce and train-the trainer training, including new hire orientations
• Manage and administer the Learning Management System, online content, and other resources to support learning and development
• Conduct periodic reviews of training documentation, ensuring training matrixes are accurate

Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a related field preferred; master’s degree a plus
• Combination of relevant professional and/or lived experience working with high-risk youth, young adults, and families
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in roles such as counseling, teaching, coaching, mentoring, outreach, or case management with high-risk or trauma-exposed populations
• Demonstrated understanding of trauma and its impact on behavior, emotional regulation, and decision-making (through education, training, or lived/professional experience)
• Working knowledge of cognitive behavioral principles (CBT/CBI) or willingness and ability to learn and apply these approaches in practice
• Experience facilitating groups and/or providing one-on-one support, coaching, or counseling
• Ability to build trust and maintain professional relationships with participants from diverse backgrounds, including those impacted by community violence
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to adapt curriculum, respond to participant needs, and work effectively in a fast-paced, team-based environment
• Experience with assessment, documentation, and tracking participant progress preferred

Location

This position will be based in Chicago’s South Side, etc. with local travel to site locations.

Physical Requirements and Working Environment

• Ability to stand, walk, and drive for extended periods in outdoor or high-activity environments.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds (supplies/equipment).
• Regular exposure to varying weather conditions.
• Ability to use a computer up to 50% of the time.
• Must be available for some evenings/weekends based on participant need and community safety dynamics.
• Ability to navigate high-risk environments safely and maintain emotional regulation in unpredictable settings.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $55,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Work Location: In person