Employment Case Manager

The Employment Case Manager provides comprehensive employment and case management services to refugees, immigrants, and other eligible individuals and families. The position supports clients in achieving employment, economic stability, and greater self-sufficiency while addressing barriers that may affect their ability to successfully integrate and thrive in their communities. The Employment Case Manager will conduct assessments, develop individualized employment plans, assist clients throughout the job search and hiring process, and provide ongoing follow-up and employment retention support. The position also provides broader case management services, including assistance with public benefits, healthcare access, IDHS-related services, and referrals to community resources.

The Employment Case Manager reports directly to the Employment Program Manager

Related Responsibilities

Employment Services

• Conduct intake and employment assessments covering education, employment history, skills, language abilities, strengths, barriers, and family circumstances.
• Develop individualized employment goals and plans based on each client's experience, abilities, and needs.
• Assist clients with job searches, applications, resumes, cover letters, interview preparation, and workplace readiness.
• Identify appropriate employment opportunities based on client skills, availability, transportation, language ability, and goals.
• Support clients throughout the application, interview, hiring, and onboarding process.
• Follow up after placement to support job retention, career advancement, and long-term economic self-sufficiency.

Employer and Community Resource Development

• Proactively identify employers, workforce programs, training opportunities, certification programs, job fairs, and other employment resources.
• Build and maintain relationships with employers, workforce agencies, staffing organizations, training providers, and community partners.
• Seek external employment and referral opportunities beyond existing organizational partnerships.
• Maintain awareness of employment and workforce resources throughout the Chicago area.

Comprehensive Case Management

• Provide ongoing case management services to assigned individuals and families.
• Assist eligible clients with accessing and maintaining public benefits through the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), including SNAP, cash assistance, medical coverage, and other eligible programs.
• Assist clients with navigating healthcare systems, accessing medical services, and addressing barriers to care.
• Provide referrals and support related to housing, transportation, childcare, education, English-language services, food assistance, legal services, and other community resources.
• Help clients understand correspondence, appointments, documentation, and requirements related to public benefits and services.
• Coordinate with internal programs, government agencies, healthcare providers, and community organizations as needed.
• Advocate for clients while supporting their ability to navigate systems independently.
• Conduct regular follow-up to ensure referrals and services are successfully accessed.

Documentation and Program Compliance

• Maintain timely and accurate case notes, assessments, employment plans, referrals, benefits documentation, employment outcomes, and other required records.
• Enter and maintain client information in Salesforce and other required systems.
• Ensure documentation complies with organizational, program, funder, and IDHS requirements.
• Track client progress, employment placements, retention, referrals, and benefits.
• Assist with reporting, data collection, file reviews, and quality assurance.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of client information.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of professional case management experience in social services, refugee services, workforce development, employment services, or a related field.
• Experience conducting assessments, developing service plans, managing caseloads, and providing client follow-up.
• Experience helping clients navigate social service systems and community resources.
• Strong communication, organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with culturally and linguistically diverse populations.
• Ability to independently identify employment opportunities, community resources, and referral partners.
• Comfortable assisting clients with online applications, employment websites, email, resumes, and other basic technology.
• Ability to manage multiple cases, deadlines, and documentation requirements.
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, databases, and similar systems.

Preferred

• Experience in employment case management, workforce development, job placement, or refugee employment services.
• Experience working with refugees, immigrants, or newcomer communities.
• Experience assisting clients with IDHS benefits and public benefit programs, including SNAP and medical benefits.
• Familiarity with Chicago-area social services, workforce development, healthcare, and community resources.
• Experience using Salesforce or another case management system.
• Bachelor's degree in social work, human services, psychology, sociology, workforce development, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience will also be considered.
• Arabic speaking or Bilingual candidates are strongly preferred.