Careers at Countryside

Would you like to make a difference in someone's life, and advance your career at the same time? Many opportunities await you to gain skills to help people with intellectual disabilities reach their full potential. Countryside Association also offers excellent benefits, competitive salaries, and many employment and internship opportunities.

Job Title: Development/Communications Officer
Position Number: 1
Work Days/Times: Monday-Friday/7:30am - 4:00pm
Hours per Week: 40 hours
Location: Palatine
Description: The Development/Communications Officer: The scope of the Development Communications Officer is to maintain a solid organizational reputation via creation and promotion of the mission and services offered by Countryside Association and for promoting the organization’s image in the public eye. A. Essential Functions of the Job: •Development Records - Ensure that all development records, such as all current donor records, donor prospects and records of acknowledgements, etc. are kept current and well organized. Both computer and paper files are maintained and well organized. Produce reports on progress made to increase or solicit donor participation. •Produce personalized, accurate and timely acknowledgements of all donations made to Countryside Association. Maintain special communications to specific donors to offer congratulations, best wishes on significant accomplishments (birthdays, promotions, etc.). •Based on donor records, prepare analyses of fundraising progress; prepare reports, lists, correspondence and other communications for the Development Department and the Executive Director. •Maintain all general and targeted mailing lists so that communications reach the right persons at the right time. •Public Media – Create and nurture relationships with media sources to help establish and maintain the reputation of Countryside. When necessary create and distribute general press releases, stories, articles and blog entries as well as messages to specifically targeted audiences in order to create a positive understanding between our organization and the public. Make presentations and answer non-emergency queries from the media, stakeholders or other organizations related to our agency’s services and practices. Organize and attend key promotional events such as exhibitions and conferences to help communicate the services and value of Countryside. •Print, Digital and Social Media - Design and produce compelling digital (text graphics and photographs) and paper communications for the purpose of informing and promoting positive views about the mission of Countryside. Examples include annual reports, newsletters, flyers, and special advertising and information pieces. Ensure production and distribution of same. Oversee Countryside’s online presence by maintaining various social media accounts that highlight Countryside Association •Volunteer Coordination – Maintain accurate and timely public listings of Countryside volunteer opportunities. Coordinate responses to volunteer inquiries, arrange for tours and make recommendations about potential assignments to the volunteer’s supervisor. Assist in providing feedback to sources of volunteer referral. Identify and coordinate group volunteer opportunities at both centers matching the interests of groups with the work needed. Assist with coordination of initial volunteer training. •Donor Development – Assist with various functions of fundraising events as well as efforts to create additional support for Countryside by nurturing positive, effective relationships with young professionals and non-traditional supporters of Countryside. •Fundraising Events – Assist with efforts to raise funds for Countryside Association services via participation in Countryside’s scheduled and ad hoc fundraising events. Participation can also include speaking engagements, sponsorship development and any other work necessary to ensure a successful event. •Receivables Processing – Open Countryside mail and distributes copies of daily receivables to appropriate staff.
Requirements: EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: •High School Education •Two years office/secretarial experience •Knowledge of "Word" Computer Systems and Access application program •Typing skills and organizational skills •Needs to be flexible and highly adaptive to change •Sensitivity in working with persons who are disabled. 1) Demonstrated competence in all MS office products, 2) Experience writing and submitting press releases and informational articles to both paper and digital sources, 3)Experience with producing printed communication pieces (e.g. annual report, various flyers, invitation sets, etc.) 4) Demonstrated written and verbal presentation skills 5) Experience updating social media pages such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. 6) Familiar with DonorPages, the system we use to take registration over the net. 7) Experience with fundraising databased, such as Donorperfect. 8) Comfortable with digital camera and can incorporate images into publications.

Job Title: Employment Specialist/FULL-TIME
Position Number:
Work Days/Times:
Hours per Week: 40 hours
Location: Palatine, IL
Description: Employment Specialist The Employment Specialist is responsible for: •Providing services as identified by current Cooperative Work Agreement between Countryside Association and IL Department of Rehabilitation Services. •Maintain a caseload of DRS CWA consumers to provide a consistent revenue stream that supports position. •Provide efficient delivery of "Job Coaching" and "Job Placement" services to individuals in Community Employment including but not limited to intake of new individuals, assessment of job related skills, job matching, job development, leading training groups, coorination of individualized services. •Coordinate delivery of services to consumers as assigned, including developing and implementing Individual Employment Plans, necessary assessments, and obtaining all appropriate input from consumers and their representatives. •Provide information on, and link, persons served to community services to obtain and maintain employment and public benefits (ie transportation, Medicare, Medicaid) •Maintain accurate, legible data on the performance of clients including time sheets, documentation of performance objectives, job coaching information. Hours/Work Year •Maximum 40 hours per week, 12 months per year, •Some evenings and weekends may be required to meet the needs of the individuals served. The Employment Specialist working hours are determined by the needs of the individuals with developmental disabilities served and/or the community employer.
Requirements: Education, Training, and Experience Requirements •High school degree or equivalent. •Valid driver’s license and insurance card; driving record that will allow employee to be covered by agency insurance for the purpose of transporting individuals utilizing agency vehicles. •It is expected that the Employment Specialist may transport individuals in their own vehicle for employment-related activities. •Previous experience with adults with disabilities. •Demonstrate good written and oral communication skills. •Demonstrate ability to work independently and make appropriate, safe decisions. Benefits: Medical/dental, sick and vacation, profit-sharing, and 403b retirement plan, short-term disability.

Job Title: Training Specialist-Full-Time-Palatine
Position Number: 1
Work Days/Times: Monday - Friday/ 7:30am - 4:00pm
Hours per Week: 40
Location: Palatine, IL
Description: Responsible for providing direct supervision and training in job skills and life skills within a workshop setting. Provides job skills training in light assembly work and piece work to adult individuals with a developmental disability or autism. During down-time activities, provides non-work activities related to individual's goals, and serves as an appropriate role model for individuals receiving services. •Provide structured job skills training in a work-shop setting with light assembly and piece work activities. •Maintains accountability of individuals completed piece rate counts daily with documentation of their achievements. •Serve as an advocate for people with disabilities, mindful of their rights. •Assist persons served as needed with daily personal hygiene needs including use of the restroom, hand washing, dietary needs, accidents, seizures, etc.
Requirements: Education/Training and Experience Requirements •High school degree or equivalent. •Demonstrate good written and oral communication skills. •Valid Illinois Driver’s license and good driving record. •Previous exposure or experience with adults with disabilities desired. Physical Requirements -Able to lift 40 lbs.

Job Title: Van Driver-PALATINE
Position Number: CC 102
Work Days/Times: M-F, 6:30-9:00am and 2:00-4:00pm - This is a split shift position
Hours per Week: 20
Location: PALATINE
Description: Provide door-to-door transportation to adults with a disability. Provide transportation from individual's residences in the morning to the Agency workcenter. Provide transportation from Agency workcenter in the afternoon back to individuals' residences. Responsible for the safe operation of the van at all times.
Requirements: High School diploma or equivalent. Valid driver's license and good driving record. Must be able to pass DOT physical and criminal background check.

Great Benefits Offered at Countryside:

Countryside offers many attractive benefits for full-time employees, as well as partial benefits for employees who work part-time. These benefits include:

• 27 - 37 paid days off a year (Holidays, Vacation, Sick and Personal)
• Excellent health and dental benefits
• Free life insurance
• Tax free savings plan and Flexible Medical Spending Account
• 100% Employer Paid Pension Plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid training
• Great work environment

How to Apply:

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply for any of these great positions.

Have questions about benefits, job responsibilities or want to schedule an interview? Give us a call or e-mail us at any time.

Questions and appointments can be made by contacting Liz Black at:
Phone: (847) 540-3703
Fax: (847) 438-9698
E-mail: elizabethb@countrysideassn.org

To save time, click here to download an employment application, fill it out and bring it with you to your scheduled job interview.