Life Assistant Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Who We Are:

For 140 years, National Louis University has been driven by one core belief: education changes lives. Since our founding, we've stayed grounded in the values of innovation, access, excellence, and equity, and we've never wavered from the idea that education is the greatest lever for social and economic mobility. We are a student-focused community built on continuous improvement and a genuine commitment to serving those we teach. Through education, we empower change and build stronger, healthier communities. Our hard-working team runs on collaboration and mutual respect, for one another and for every student we serve.

What You Will Do:

Path to Academics, Community and Employment (PACE) is a three-year, post-secondary certificate program designed to meet the transitional needs of young adults with multiple intellectual, learning, and developmental disabilities.
National Louis University is seeking applicants interested in joining our team as PACE Resident Life Assistant. The Resident Life Assistant (RLA) supports students in the Path to Academics, Community and Employment (P.A.C.E.) program by fostering independent living, social engagement, and personal development within a residential college environment. Serving as a mentor, educator, and resource, the RLA utilizes the residence hall as a learning environment where students develop life skills, social competencies, and community participation. The RLA partners with students, staff, and campus resources to promote student success while supporting residential programming, student activities, and daily operations.

This is a live-in, full-time, ten-month position that requires evening and weekend availability. 

Student Engagement & Residential Programming:

• Facilitate and participate in residential and student life activities, including leading a student club each quarter.
• Plan and oversee weekend programming and community-based activities.
• Monitor and respond to the RLA duty phone while assigned.
• Review and manage Campus Leave Requests (CLRs) and guest requests.
• Promote student participation in campus and community life.

Independent Living Skills Instruction:

• Provide individual and group instruction in independent living and life skills.
• Develop and implement life skills activities tailored to student needs.
• Support students in areas such as transportation, meal planning, grocery shopping, cooking, hygiene, and daily living routines.

Student Support & Problem Resolution:

• Assist students in navigating social, behavioral, and residential challenges.
• Collaborate with PACE staff, University Center staff, and floor RLAs to address student concerns and support student success.
• Provide support to students in residential, campus, and community settings

Documentation & Student Records:

• Maintain accurate student records, logs, progress notes, and reports.
• Assist students with portfolio development and documentation requirements.

Residence Hall Operations:

• Assist with residence hall organization, inventory management, and maintenance of supplies and equipment.
• Support student move-in, move-out, and break transition processes.

Professional Development:

• Participate in required training programs and staff meetings.
• Contribute to team initiatives and continuous improvement efforts.

• High School Diploma/GED Required.
• Bachelor's degree in Education, Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Special Education, Recreation, or related field preferred.
• 1+ year experience supporting individuals with intellectual, developmental, or learning disabilities, or comparable experience in education, recreation, residential life, or human services.
• Experience facilitating group activities, mentoring, coaching, or supporting students or young adults.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and reside on campus as required.
• Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office and electronic documentation systems.
• Ability to travel locally within the community with students.
• Teamwork: Is an effective team player who adds complementary skills and contributes valuable ideas, opinions and feedback. Communicates in an open and candid manner and can be counted upon to fulfill any commitments made to others on the team.
• Positive Outlook: Tends to stay positive, even when others sound negative or struggle to remain upbeat. Sees and provides others with concrete reasons to believe that things will work out well. Notices and acknowledges things that are going well, especially during stressful times. 
• Building Student Confidence & Engagement: Expresses genuine confidence that students can (and will) be successful as learners. Is fully engaged as a teacher, and demonstrates enthusiasm about the subject at hand. Encourages active participation, including questions from students, making it clear that everyone is in a safe place to give an incorrect answer, or to ask a question

Preferred Skills/Experience

• Experience in residential life, student affairs, or post-secondary transition programs.
• Experience developing or facilitating recreational, educational, or social programming.
• Knowledge of person-centered planning and independent living skill development.

NLU Inclusion Statement:

National Louis University is deeply committed to serving its community, advancing access and equity, and ensuring that all individuals are welcomed and valued.  We are dedicated to fostering a culture where diversity, equity, and inclusion remain at the core of who we are. These are more than just words to us: they are truly a way of life for the NLU community. We recognize that differences in abilities, age, ethnicity, gender (identity and expression), race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and background bring richness to our work environment. We affirm diverse perspectives, innovative contributions, and authentic presentations of self from every member within the NLU community. We believe inclusion is grounded in the actions we intentionally take each day. Our goal is to inspire and empower NLU employees and community members to cultivate an environment where we collectively focus on uplifting and advancing our institutional culture.

At National Louis University, we offer our employees an innovative environment to work together and inspire the ideas that will make an impact. As our external environment changes, our employees are provided the opportunities and tools needed to grow both personally and professionally to remain successful. NLU employees and dependents are offered a wide range of benefits, including but not limited to, Health Insurance benefits, Retirement benefits, Paid Time Off and Educational Opportunities. Additional information regarding full-time staff benefits can be found here.

The salary range of the grade for this position is $17 to $21.75 per hour (typical workweek is 37.5 hours). Compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.  Offers are based on multiple factors permitted by law, including but not limited to: budgetary considerations, job-related knowledge/skills, experience, market considerations, tenure and standing with the university (applicable to current employees), and internal equity. 

Please include the following along with your application:

• Resume (Required)
• Cover Letter (Optional)
• Current NLU employees please also submit an Internal Posting Form