LGBTQ Site Coordinator (Lakewood)

About Lawrence Hall

Lawrence Hall is a Chicago-based nonprofit social services agency that provides therapeutic, wellness, and skill development services to youth, families, and neighborhoods affected by lasting trauma. We foster healing and growth through empowerment, respect, safety, and teamwork.

Lakewood Home is a Transitional Living Program (TLP) that provides queer youth ages 14-17 the support they need to transition into independent living after many have faced neglect or rejection from family members over their identities.

ROLE SUMMARY:

The LGBTQ Site Coordinator is responsible for the daily management, safety, and overall programming of the LGBTQ Lakewood Group Home within the Affirming Care Department. This position oversees site staff and directly supervises the LGBTQ Child Welfare Specialist, ensuring all residents receive affirming, trauma-informed, and developmentally appropriate care aligned with regulatory standards and agency values. The LGBTQ Site Coordinator fosters a youth-guided, strengths-based environment that promotes independent living skills, healing, and safety, and serves as a liaison across internal teams and external service providers.

Lawrence Hall fosters a culture built upon four core values: Respect, Empowerment, Safety, and Teamwork. These values are deeply embedded within our organization's philosophy of trauma-informed care and directly influence every position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead daily routines through the milieu schedule that build independent living skills and healing from trauma (e.g., hygiene, appointments, budgeting, employment, transportation, psycho-education and other therapeutic groups).
• Supervise LGBTQ Child Welfare Specialist and other site employees; provide regular supervision, coaching, performance feedback, and schedule coordination.
• Promote adherence to Lawrence Hall and IDCFS LGBTQ-affirming policies; provide guidance and training to staff to ensure safe, inclusive practices.
• Establish and maintain a therapeutic milieu using the six CARE Principles: Relationship Bases, Trauma Informed, Developmentally Focused, Family Involved, Competence Centered and Ecologically Oriented.
• Support staff in trauma-informed de-escalation techniques (Therapeutic Crisis Intervention) and model positive behavior.
• Maintain compliance with agency, Medicaid and DCFS documentation requirements; review client documentation for quality and accuracy.
• Support the achievement of Medicaid benchmarks
• Facilitate and/or participate in case conferences, ACRs, team meetings, and court coverage as needed.
• Responsible for the care and supervision of residents while driving them to/from destinations including the safe operation, physical condition, and cleanliness of the agency vehicle.
• Manage site operations including budget, petty cash, resident allowances, vehicle maintenance, supply inventory, and cleanliness.
• Foster strong community relationships with local service providers, law enforcement, and neighbors.
• Respond to crisis situations and serve as 24/7 on-call contact for site-related emergencies.
• Plan and facilitate site-based staff meetings, team-building activities, and LGBTQ youth engagement events.
• Use trauma-informed and culturally responsive communication practices with youth, families, and staff.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS

• Maintain confidentiality to ensure a safe environment for all.
• Demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Outlook, SharePoint, Word, Excel).
• Understand child and adolescent development, recognize trauma symptoms, and use healing-centered, trauma-informed strategies.
• Provide regular documented supervision, support staff development, ensure training compliance, and manage performance processes.
• Address workplace conflicts, stress, and secondary trauma with professionalism and care.
• Engage caregivers and families by collaboratively identifying strengths and challenges.
• Fulfill 24/7 on-call responsibilities with a flexible schedule.
• Model positive behavior, support staff in applying trauma-informed strategies, and ensure fidelity to trauma-focused assessments and interventions.
• Must use verbal and, if needed, physical interventions with youth aged 14-17. Employees must complete TCI and restraint training, maintain certification with recertification every six months, and consistently apply these skills on the job.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This position is primarily located on-site at the Lakewood LGBTQ Site.
• Requires travel between multiple sites using a personal vehicle.
• Regular use of agency vehicles to transport youth; must maintain a valid driver's license and safe driving record.
• Schedule includes a mix of daytime, evening, and weekend hours based on program needs. On-call availability required 24/7.
• Physical demands include walking multiple flights of stairs, lifting up to 25 pounds, and long periods of mobility throughout multi-level sites during an 8 hour shift
• Must obtain Child Welfare Employee Licensure upon hire or at next available Foundation training, including successful completion of CERAP and CANS.
• Complete Teen Parenting Service Network Specialty Training within one year.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• We expect team players who work well with others, build positive relationships, and contribute to a respectful, collaborative environment

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• Master's degree in human service field with at least three (3) years of post-degree, supervisory experience

• Valid Illinois Driver's license and personal vehicle or access to vehicle and proof of insurance
• No history of child abuse or neglect and ability to pass background and drug screen

Preferred:

• Experience in providing direct care to the LGBTQ population as an ally or lived experience
• Knowledge of childhood trauma, adolescent development, and strength-based approaches, with experience working with youth and families impacted by trauma or stress

An ideal candidate will be a member of the LGBTQIA community who can assist in affirming LGBTQIA youth and staff through effective role modeling and advocacy.

We encourage individuals with lived experience to apply.

CLASSIFICATION

Time Off Schedule: Schedule C

Department: Affirming Care

Reports to: Vice President of Affirming Care

Supervises: LGBTQ Life Skills Educators, LGBTQ Child Welfare Specialist

COMPENSATION

Compensation is a base salary with additional compensation considered based on relevant education and experience.

This position meets the FLSA requirements for Exempt.

Job descriptions are not intended, and should not be construed to be all-inclusive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with a job. While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties from particular jobs and to assign other duties as necessary.

Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V

Following job offer acceptance, all new hires are required to complete a background check through the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Individuals who have lived outside of Illinois may also be subject to out-of-state checks, which can take up to eight weeks to process. While these checks are pending, candidates should continue completing all other pre-boarding requirements. Employment may begin once all pre-boarding steps are complete and DCFS clearance has been received.

Salary : $62,000 - $67,000