About the Role
The Institute for Nonviolence Chicago is currently seeking a Violence Prevention-Community Support Team (VP-CST) Team Lead to join the Behavioral Health and Wellness team and assist with the development and implementation of Behavioral Health and Wellness programming and services. This position serves as the Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) required under Illinois’ VP-CST program model, providing clinical leadership to a multidisciplinary team that includes Peer Support Workers (PSW), Life Coaches, and other behavioral health staff. The VP-CST Team Lead oversees a caseload of no more than 18 clients. The ideal candidate has demonstrated clinical expertise in trauma-focused care for individuals impacted by gun violence, experience leading multidisciplinary teams, and a deep commitment to culturally responsive, community-based healing.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES
VP-CST Team Leadership
· Serve as the designated QMHP and administrative lead for the VP-CST multidisciplinary team
· Provide clinical consultation, mentorship, and other support to VP-CST Team staff
· Ensure team adherence to evidence-informed, trauma-specific intervention models consistent with VP-CST program requirements
· Maintain staffing ratios per Illinois HFS guidelines (no more than 18 clients per FTE)
· Lead in interdisciplinary team meetings, case consultations, and program development activities
Participant Services
· Be available to provide support emotional support to INVC participants during shooting responses 24/7 in collaboration with other team members
· Complete behavioral health intakes, IM-CANS assessments, and individual therapy sessions; maintain progress notes and other relevant program data and record keeping as necessary in a timely manner
· Facilitate process and skill building groups with participants, including CBI, weekly survivor support group, and other groups as assigned
· Coordinate proactive service engagement and peer support activities in collaboration with PSWs and Life Coaches
· Provide presentations and trainings to staff and community partners as needed
· Assist with development of strategic alliances with community providers, particularly around behavioral health and wellness resources
· Collaborate with courts, probation and parole, jail and prison systems to provide behavioral health and wellness services to those reentering the community, including CBI curriculum
· Conduct outreach to community providers, families, and significant others to gather additional information for behavioral health and wellness service planning
· Provide services in a culturally humble and responsive manner
· Additional duties as required by Associate Director of Behavioral Health and Wellness
Program Development, Data & Compliance
• Assist with development and evaluation of VP-CST policies, procedures, and trauma-informed practices consistent with Illinois HFS and OFVP requirements
• Maintain all required program data, documentation, and reporting in a timely manner to support Medicaid billing (fee-for-service and managed care) under the VP-CST program
• Provide ongoing implementation feedback to HFS and OFVP to inform enhancements to the violence prevention system of care
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with local stakeholders, OFVP-funded organizations, and community partners working to reduce firearm violence
• Assist with building strategic alliances with community behavioral health providers and referral sources
Staff Wellness & Organizational Support
• Participate in the interdisciplinary Staff Wellness Committee; help develop and implement staff wellness programming for employees regularly exposed to trauma
• Be available to provide emotional support to INVC staff during shooting responses and other on-the-job trauma exposure
• Assist with facilitating process groups, presentations, and trainings for staff and community partners
• Assist with integrating trauma-informed policies and practices to enhance organizational effectiveness
• Perform additional duties as required by the Associate Director of Behavioral Health and Wellness
Requirements
Master’s degree in psychology, social work, or related behavioral health field required
· LCSW, LCPC, or LMFT preferred
· Experience providing evidence-based individualized trauma-focused behavioral health services and trauma-responsive care
· Experience documenting biopsychosocial assessments and case notes (IM-CANS certification preferred)
· Experience facilitating behavioral health groups
· Experience with crisis intervention
· Experience providing community-based services to youth and adults in a community setting, preferably from communities with high rates of violence
· Experience working on a multidisciplinary team
· Willingness to learn and commit to the principles of nonviolence, restorative justice and trauma-informed practices
· No pending criminal cases or prior convictions for sexual assault, child abuse or domestic violence
· Valid Illinois driver’s license, insurance, and good driving record
· Access to a vehicle to be able to move between neighborhoods served by Institute for Nonviolence Chicago
Salary & Benefits
Compensation is commensurate with years of related experience, position requirements, and candidate qualifications. The average salary for the position is $62,500.
Institute for Nonviolence Chicago puts our people first with a top-of-the-line benefits package.
Competitive benefits package available, including Health, Life, and 401K.
About Institute for Nonviolence Chicago
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.
To apply, send a cover letter along with your resume to hiring@nonviolencechicago.org and please enter the job title in the email subject line.
Institute for Nonviolence Chicago -- EEO Statement
Institute for Nonviolence Chicago provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the organization has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.