Human Trafficking Case Manager - Legal Aid Society (Central Illinois)

Metropolitan Family Servicesempowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan Family Services has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities. Metropolitan is Illinois’ first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 136,000 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness and empowerment.

We are now hiring for a full-time Case Manager to join our LAS Individual Rights and Social Justice Practice Group!

This position will support LAS's team in Central Illinois to bring supportive services to LAS's clients, such as locating resources for food, therapy, and housing, assisting with obtaining passports and birth certificates, and liaising with other state and federal agencies on behalf of the client.

SALARY: The average starting salary for this position will fall in the range of $41,000 and $45,000 annually. Where candidates fall in this range will be based on skill and experience level.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

Under the direction and supervision of an attorney, the Case Manager works with LAS clients who have been impacted by human trafficking or labor exploitation to assist them in their journey. Case management for our clients includes, but is not limited to: support related to employment and education; crisis intervention; locating resources such as food assistance, housing, and other basic needs; assistance with obtaining passports, birth certificates, and other vital records; liaising with state and federal human services agencies on behalf of the client; and assessment for referrals to needed resources.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conducts thorough assessment of clients’ needs in conjunction with other LAS staff members. Evaluates problem and service needs
• Works with client to develop a written client service plan specifying goals to be achieved and services to be pursued.
• Supplements service plans to meet client needs.
• Works collaboratively with community resources. Develops a knowledge of resources and helps clients to utilize them.
• Works within contract, grant, and program requirements including meeting timelines and reporting requirements.
• Reassess and monitors client situation and adequacy of service plan.
• Collaborates and participates with other program staff in the planning and implementation of service plans.
• Subsequent to consultation with supervisor, handles emergency and crisis situations within target population.
• With supervisory approval, authorizes limited amounts of financial assistance to own clients.
• May work with community groups.
• Works effectively with diverse staff and service population.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university. 
• Strong interpersonal and time management skills. 
• Access to a vehicle and ability to travel in our service area.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups.
• Minimum of 1-2 years relevant experience required, ideally experience aiding immigrants or survivors of human trafficking or labor exploitation. 
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Excellent writing, record-keeping, organizational, and communications skills. 

TRAVEL/DRIVING REQUIREMENTS:

Driving is required. Travel throughout Northern and Central Illinois is required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle, and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch. The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, and viewing a computer terminal.

Metropolitan Family Services offers a very generous benefits packet to our professionals:

• Aetna Medical Coverage: HMO, Traditional PPO, or PPO w/ HSA contributions.
• Dental and Vision Insurance Options
• 12 paid Holidays 
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 401K Plan
• Training and Professional Development Plan with E- Learning
• Wellness Initiative Program
• Employee Assistance Network