Social Work Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Role: Associate Social Care Specialist 
Employment Type: Full-Time | Permanent 
Reports To: Social Care Manager 
Location: Hybrid (Chicago-based, in-office work, remote work, and in-community engagement at community events within the Cook County area)
Annual Salary Range: $45,000 $50,000 
Benefits: Benefits package including medical, and dental coverage; paid time off and holidays; and ongoing professional development opportunities

About Essence Community Care
Essence Community Care is a community-focused organization dedicated to improving health outcomes by helping individuals navigate healthcare systems, government benefits, and community-based resources. We support individuals facing barriers related to the Social Determinants of Health (SDoH), including food insecurity, housing instability, transportation challenges, financial hardship, limited healthcare access, and other social care needs.

Our mission is to provide compassionate, person-centered support while improving access to critical healthcare and social service programs through collaboration, advocacy, and innovative care coordination.

Position Summary
Essence Community Care is seeking a compassionate, organized, and motivated Associate Social Care Specialist to join our growing team. This role is ideal for individuals who are passionate about helping underserved populations access healthcare, government benefits, and community-based resources.

The Associate Social Care Specialist will assist participants with identifying and addressing SDoH barriers through screening, resource navigation, application assistance, care coordination, and participant advocacy. This position requires strong communication skills, empathy, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively with healthcare providers, community organizations, and internal teams.

Core Responsibilities

• Engage participants with compassion, professionalism, and cultural humility.
• Conduct SDoH screenings to identify barriers affecting participants' health and well-being.
• Support participants with accessing healthcare coverage, Medicaid, SNAP, housing resources, transportation services, utility assistance, food resources, and other government or community-based programs.
• Provide application assistance, eligibility guidance, and benefits navigation support.
• Coordinate referrals and provide warm handoffs to community partners to ensure continuity of care.
• Maintain ongoing communication with participants, caregivers, healthcare providers, and community partners through phone, email, and internal systems.
• Document all participant interactions accurately and in a timely manner within internal platforms and databases.
• Monitor participant progress and complete follow-up activities within established program timelines to ensure successful connection to services and resolution of identified needs.
• Serve as a liaison between participants, healthcare organizations, and community agencies to support continuity of care and service access.
• Collaborate with internal leadership and community partners to improve outreach efforts and expand awareness of available programs and services.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of local community resources, government programs, and healthcare/social service systems.
• Stay current on policy, eligibility, and procedural changes related to government benefits and social care programs.
• Participate in team meetings, supervision sessions, training, and program development activities.
• Assist with data collection, reporting, and maintenance of program statistics and required documentation.
• Maintain confidentiality and compliance with all company policies and applicable privacy regulations.
• Contribute to program improvement initiatives and special projects as needed.
  

Required Qualifications

• Reside within the Chicagoland area.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in social services, care coordination, community outreach, case management, healthcare navigation, or a related field.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain detailed documentation.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations and respond thoughtfully to varying cultural and socio-economic needs.
• Comfortable using technology, electronic documentation systems, and learning new platforms.
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating within a team environment.
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug screening and background check.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, Public Health, Psychology, Sociology, or a related field; equivalent professional experience considered in lieu of degree.
• Experience assisting individuals with SDoH needs.
• Working knowledge of community resources and government assistance programs, including Medicaid, SNAP, housing resources, transportation assistance, and other public benefits.
• Familiarity with participant advocacy and community resource navigation.
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish, Polish, Mandarin, or other languages commonly spoken in the communities we serve.
• Experience with complex case management.
• Current CPR/First Aid certification.
  

Equal Employment Opportunity

Essence Community Care is committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. Because the people we support are too often shaped by structural inequities, we believe representation, lived experience, and inclusive practice strengthen our mission.

Essence Community Care is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, citizenship status, order of protection status, arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, including the Illinois Human Rights Act. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.