Life Span is expanding!Life Span empowers survivors of domestic and sexual violence to demand safety as a human right through client-centered services and leads social change through accountability, community engagement, and systemic advocacy.
Life Span is interviewing applicants to fill a bilingual (Spanish) Counselor position in our Chicago Loop office.
Life Span is a nationally known leader in the provision of services to victims of violence and their children. Our comprehensive services include criminal court advocacy representation in civil protective order cases, expert representation in family law cases, and counseling for survivors and their children. Our work encompasses such issues as police domestic violence, immigration, employment issues, sexual assault civil no contact orders, the effects of trauma on clients and their children, teen dating violence, and the criminalization of survivors. Our agency has two sites, and services are available in nine languages including English, Spanish, Polish, Czech and Arabic. All services are free of charge. Our agency provides national leadership in policy work and systemic advocacy, and our staff has trained advocates, lawyers, judges, counselors and other professionals in Illinois and across the country on critical issues and innovative practices.
Life Span values diversity—in strengths, backgrounds and lived experiences. It is essential that our staff and leadership reflect the communities that we serve. We are committed to creating an anti-oppression framework and seek candidates who share this commitment.
Position Summary: Life Span counselors provide individual and group services to victims of domestic violence and their children. Under the supervision of the Director of Counseling, delivers training to volunteers, participates in community outreach and education, and cooperates with other social service providers in community collaborations.
• Provide counseling both on an individual and group basis as assigned by the Director of Counseling.
• Assist in screening and assessment of program participants.
• Assist in outreach activities.
• Maintain statistical service records and case file documentation on assigned cases.
• Serve as an advocate by helping clients make contact with other social service agencies, legal and financial assistance and the police.
• Answer the crisis line as assigned or needed; includes periodic after-hours coverage.
• Attend professional training and meetings as assigned or approved.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings.
• Refer appropriate clients for legal advocacy services to legal advocacy staff.
• Assist in community or professional education through speaking engagements as assigned by the Director of Counseling.
Location and Hours: The Counselor position is a full-time, 40 hours per week position based in the Chicago Loop office. Life Span is just steps away from the CTA El station pink line, orange, and green lines, and also accessible via the Metra railway, Union or Ogilvie stations.
To Apply: Send your resume and a cover letter to Laura Valiukenas, Director of Counseling.
No Telephone Calls Please.
