Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and monitoring of the JVS Career & Employment services for people with disabilities. Directs staff and administers operational plans. Launches innovative programs to populations served. Develops and monitors outcomes, grants, and budgets. Collaborates with Jewish Federation and affiliate agencies. Represents programs, services, and projects to professional organizations, civic groups and public agencies and the community. Provides guidance and back up to all program staff.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:- Develops, recommends, implements, and reviews programs, projects, and services for agency clientele, establishing and adjusting staffing patterns as needed and providing overall guidance to maintain professional and ethical standards in service delivery.
- Monitors and evaluates employment trends to create responsive programming and placement services. Implements new programming in response to community needs and program performance.
- Develops and implements standardized procedures that strengthen program operations, improve efficiency, and enhance participant outcomes, while supporting inclusive employment practices across diverse communities. Monitors performance relative to community impact and funding requirements and adjust services, programs and projects within budget parameters.
- Research and assists in writing grants for new and continuation funding from both private and public entities, develops program concepts, and prepares program.
- Establish and maintain relationships with potential and continuing funding sources (including Il Dept. of Rehabilitation (DRS) and Dept of Human Services) and negotiate programmatic and budgetary goals to finalize.
- Directly supervises employment supervisor and staff to provide quality, effective services to achieve positive employment outcomes.
- Explores technology options and utilizes appropriate tools to improve program efficiency and outcomes, while supporting staff in learning and applying new systems as needed. Develops and implements marketing plans to expand client recruitment and supports the design of program marketing materials while training staff to facilitate cross-program marketing. Collaborates with Jewish Federation staff and staff of affiliate agencies in developing and delivering programs. Represents programs, services and projects to professional organizations, civic groups, public agencies and the community.
- Maintains liaison with other JCFS departments and services to strengthen partnerships and collaboration for the benefit of clients and program operations. Coordinates with the Senior Director, Employment to strategize employer partnership development and education.
- Oversees data gathering and analysis, develops methods to capture required departmental information, and supervises the timely completion of management, statistical, and special reports, including submissions to funding bodies, while establishing service delivery goals tied to community impact, grant and contract requirements, and outcome measurement. measurement. Follows prescribed safety procedures and acts to ensure safety for self, co-workers and consumers.
- May work directly with parents/guardians to keep them informed of service delivery strategies and outcomes. May oversee and/or handle difficult cases.
- Carries out responsibilities in accordance with professional standards, works cooperatively with co-workers, maintains positive relationships with employees, clients, and external partners. Where appropriate, demonstrates empathy and concern in client interaction and complies with all appropriate agency policies and procedures.
Supervisory Responsibilities:- Spearheads the overall direction and management of programming and of its coordination, and evaluation.
- Supervises supervisor and direct service staff.
- Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the Agency's policies and applicable laws.
- Interviews, hires, and trains employees; plans, assigns, and directs work; appraises performance on a timely basis; rewards and disciplines employees; addresses complaints and resolves problems.
- Oversees and coordinates all employment development activities.
- Performs other duties as assigned
Requirements- Bachelor's degree, master's preferred, in psychology, counseling psychology, rehabilitation, social work or other appropriate behavioral science or equivalent experience.
- A minimum of seven years of experience in workforce development, especially in placement services for people with disabilities. Working knowledge of DRS a plus.
- Five years' supervisory experience with proven outcome employment results, managing multiple funding streams concurrently.
- Training in Customized Employment strategies with a nationally recognized training provider.
- Proven experience in creating and implementing programmatic changes to increase outcomes with heightening staff morale and motivation.
- Proven experience creating and balancing budget requirements from several sources at one time.
- Demonstrated experience writing, managing, and negotiating grants at progressively more responsible levels.
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, financial reports, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulation; to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals; to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, regulatory agencies, members of the business community, and the general public; and to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format.
- Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume, and apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
- Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusion; and to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
- Must be able to operate a motor vehicle, possess a valid driver's license, and have reliable transportation to locations that may not be accessible via public transportation. Must be able to travel to locations in the greater Chicago metropolitan area daily. Availability to attend at a limited number of national conferences throughout the year.
Preferred- Relevant professional certifications (e.g., LCPC, LCSW) preferred.
WHAT YOU'LL LOVE ABOUT US:- Time off: Paid time off varies by position - can include vacation days, sick days, paid federal holidays, and paid Jewish holidays.
- Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance. 401(k) with base contribution and match. Additional health and wellness benefits, financial benefits, professional training, tuition reimbursement, 6 weeks paid parental leave, and much more.
- Compensation: For this position is starting between $79,000 - $84,000 per year, depending on your experience.
- Union: BUE
*Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship*. 
