Human Trafficking Project Coordinator

Life Span seeks a Human Trafficking Project Coordinator to lead Life Span’s anti-trafficking initiatives, develop and implement project strategies, coordinate community partnerships, provide survivor-centered support, conduct outreach and education, and secure resources to combat human trafficking. This is a hybrid-remote position based in our Chicago, Illinois office.

Life Span is a nationally known leader in the provision of services to survivors of violence and their children. Our comprehensive services include criminal court advocacy, representation in civil protective order cases, expert representation in family law cases, immigration services and counseling for survivors and their children. Our work encompasses such issues as police domestic violence, human trafficking, immigration, employment issues, sexual assault civil no contact orders, the effects of trauma on clients and their children, teen dating violence, and the criminalization of survivors. Our agency has two sites, one in Des Plaines and one in Chicago. Our services are available in many languages including English, Spanish, Polish and Arabic and are free of charge. Our agency provides national leadership in policy work and systemic advocacy, and our staff has trained advocates, lawyers, judges, counselors and other professionals in Illinois and across the country on critical issues and innovative practices.

Life Span values staff who reflect the communities we serve in strengths, backgrounds and lived experiences. It is essential that our staff and leadership reflect the communities we serve.

Work Hours/Location: This position is primarily based at: 70 East Lake Street, Chicago, Illinois with scheduled travel to Human Trafficking Project (HTP) sites and the Life Span Des Plaines office.

Scheduled days/hours: Monday-Friday. 9:00 AM-5:00 PM or 8:00 AM-4:00 PM. Occasional evening and weekend work hours may be required.

Remote Work:

This is a hybrid-remote position following a period of onboarding and completion of orientation training. Remote work up to 16 hours per week, at the discretion of Life Span. Internet access is required. Must be accessible and available during work hours by phone, email and Teams to perform essential functions of this position.

Reports To:

Life Span’s Counseling Director.

Essential Job Functions

Project Coordination:

• Lead and coordinate anti-human trafficking programming, help develop project goals and strategies, and ensure implementation of activities.
• Coordinate direct services, case management, advocacy, and crisis intervention for human trafficking survivors.
• Supervise Project staff and lead HT project staff meetings.
• Integrate the Project into Life Span’s other direct service programs on an ongoing basis and work closely with collaborative staff partners.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with community partners, law enforcement, service providers, and other stakeholders to create a coordinated response.
• Conduct both professional and public awareness education, and training on human trafficking and the Project.
• Participate in community, domestic violence, and sexual assault organizational meetings.
• Assist in the collection, analysis, and reporting of relevant data on human trafficking cases and project related information to funders and stakeholders, ensuring program compliance.
• Identify resource gaps, develop innovative solutions, and assist with grant writing to support anti-trafficking efforts.

Direct Client Services:

• Provide counseling both on an individual and group basis.
• Provide direct services, case management, advocacy, and crisis intervention for human trafficking survivors.
• Explain legal relief under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), Illinois Domestic Violence Act (IDVA) and the Civil No Contact Act to clients.
• Oversee screening and assessment of program participants, making referrals to outside providers for services Life Span does not provide.
• Explain Life Span services and refer clients to Life Span services the project does not provide.
• Maintain statistical service records and case file documentation on assigned cases.

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in social work, psychology, or related field. Master’s level preferred.
• Prior experience in providing anti–trafficking services.
• Prior experience in social work, victim advocacy, program coordination, or case management, with trauma survivors.
• Excellent communication, diplomacy, and relationship-building skills to work effectively with diverse groups.
• Strong problem-solving, time management, and prioritization skills to manage multiple tasks in a complex environment.
• Bilingual in Spanish & English is preferred.
• 40-hour DV Certified and SA training/certification is preferred.

Compensation: Life Span values staff as our most important resource and we offer a competitive starting salary, generous benefits, and opportunities for professional development. Starting salary is $70,000. Bilingual staff may receive an additional $2,000 per year.

Benefits include generous vacation, sick and miscellaneous leave; nineteen paid holidays; Summer Fridays; health, dental and vision insurance; life and disability insurance; a 403b retirement plan, pre-tax public transit benefits, Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Account (DCA) plans; and an (EAP) employee assistance plan, and online will preparation.

Loan Forgiveness Benefit:

• Life Span is a qualifying employer for the federal PSLF program.
• Employees in qualifying positions may be eligible for ISAC-administered student loan repayment programs.

To Apply:

Please send your resume and cover letter to the hiring manager via email to hiring@life-span.org. No Telephone Calls Please.

Benefits include generous vacation, sick and miscellaneous leave; nineteen paid holidays; Summer Fridays; health, dental and vision insurance; life and disability insurance; a 403b retirement plan, pre-tax public transit benefits, Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Account (DCA) plans; and an (EAP) employee assistance plan, and online will preparation.

Loan Forgiveness Benefit:

• Life Span is a qualifying employer for the federal PSLF program.
• Employees in qualifying positions may be eligible for ISAC-administered student loan repayment programs.

Bilingual English-Spanish preferred.