Vip Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary: The Firehouse Community Arts Centers mission is to interrupt the cycle of violence in the lives of youth and young adults in North Lawndale through the power of the arts and faith. Reporting to the VIP Director, the Navigator plays a key role in the VIP (Very Important Process) violence intervention program by delivering social/emotional learning-based curricula, mentoring participants, and supporting youth and young adults on their journey toward purpose, accountability, leadership, and personal growth.

The Navigator works directly with young men and young adults impacted by community violence, including participants who may have caused harm, experienced harm, or been involved in cycles of violence, trauma, and retaliation. This role requires strong relationship-building skills, a trauma-informed approach, and experience or understanding of community violence intervention, restorative practices, conflict de-escalation, and participant accountability.

Navigators serve as committed advocates, mentors, and educators in both group and individual settings. They facilitate a structured curriculum while bringing creativity, cultural awareness, and engaging activities that help participants transform their mindset, strengthen emotional regulation, develop healthier decision-making, and build a more stable future. Navigators build long-term relationships with approximately 57 participants per cohort, meeting with them 12 times per week and connecting them with arts programming, employment opportunities, counseling services, housing supports, and other resources.

Scope of Responsibilities:

• Facilitate Firehouses social/emotional learning-based curriculum in alignment with weekly session schedules, program standards, and participant needs.
• Lead group sessions and individual mentoring that support mindset transformation, emotional regulation, conflict de-escalation, accountability, leadership, and life skills.
• Use creative, culturally relevant, and arts-based activities to help participants engage with the curriculum and apply it to their lives.
• Build consistent, trust-based relationships with participants, including young men and young adults impacted by violence, trauma, and community instability.
• Connect participants to employment opportunities, arts programming, counseling services, housing supports, and other resources that support long-term success.
• Identify and support solution-based approaches to barriers blocking participant success, including disengagement, crisis, retaliation risk, housing instability, and lack of employment.
• Enter participant data into designated program software systems accurately and consistently; track engagement, milestones, referrals, and short- and long-term outcomes.
• Support participant engagement in the VIP Alumni Program and monitor progress toward continued stability and growth.
• Build and sustain relationships with external service providers, community partners, and referral partners.
• Monitor and support residents in UBUNTU housing to ensure program engagement and eligibility.
• Maintain vehicle logs for participant pickups, drop-offs, and scheduled outings using company vehicles.
• Participate in required team meetings, case reviews, professional development, and reflective practice experiences.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries while remaining flexible and responsive to participant needs, including occasional evening, weekend, or off-site engagement when approved by program leadership.

Requirements:

• 3 years demonstrated understanding of art in the context of healing

• Significant experience working with young people and adults who face obstacles, trauma, violence exposure, justice-system involvement, or community instability.
• Experience or strong understanding of community violence intervention, violence prevention, reentry, restorative justice, mentoring, youth development, or a related field.
• Ability to build trust with high-risk participants while maintaining accountability, consistency, and professional boundaries.
• 1+ year of experience delivering structured, syllabus-based curricula, group programming, workshops, or social/emotional learning sessions.
• Deep historical knowledge of and commitment to North Lawndale and the surrounding community.
• Strong communication, documentation, data entry, partnership-building, and collaboration skills.
• Knowledge of the Firehouse mission, history, programs, and the systemic barriers facing youth and young adults.
• Willingness to participate in mandatory professional development, including reflective development experiences such as Crucible or other approved social-emotional/deep reflection/well-being experiences.
• Valid drivers license required.
• CPR/First Aid/AED certification or willingness to obtain/maintain certification.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and designated program software systems.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and move throughout program and community settings for extended periods of time. The employee must be able to lift, carry, and move program materials, supplies, and equipment up to 40 pounds as needed.