Director of Human Trafficking at Shelter, Inc.

JOB TITLE: Director of Human Trafficking Services REPORTS TO: Associate Director LOCATION: Hybrid- Shelter Youth and Family Services headquarters in Arlington Heights, IL

ABOUT SHELTER YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES Shelter Youth & Family Services provides emergency housing, community-based services, and support for youth and families in crisis. Founded in 1975, we've grown into a leading voice for child welfare, human trafficking response, foster care innovation, and trauma-informed care in Illinois. With a current budget of $10M and ambitious plans to grow to $15M, our mission is to end the cycle of abuse and neglect by providing safe, healthy, and stable lives for children and families.

Shelter Youth & Family Services is committed to providing safe, inclusive, and supportive resources for youth and families from all backgrounds and identities. We actively strive to create an environment that supports all employees, placing value in contributions from people from diverse backgrounds, and honoring all experiences, perspectives, and unique identities. Our mission is to protect children, strengthen families, and transform communities. Joining us in this role will give you a chance to help fulfill that mission and help the community. Shelter and its facilities are drug and smoke-free environments.

Learn more at shelter-inc.org.

Shelter Youth and Family Services encourages the application of all bilingual applicants to work with our client community. Applicants who can successfully certify their skill level in reading, speaking, and writing in two languages with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services may receive an additional salary stipend. Certification testing is set by DCFS.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Director of Human Trafficking Services provides leadership, oversight, and strategic direction for Shelter Youth and Family Services' programs serving youth who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking. This role ensures the successful implementation of the new CSEC residential treatment program, supervises a team of 20+ staff, and advances Shelter's commitment to trauma-informed, evidence-based care. The Director will also strengthen organizational capacity to identify, prevent, and respond to trafficking across all Shelter programs, while representing the agency in community, statewide, and national collaborations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Leadership & Oversight

• Provide overall direction and management of the CSEC residential program, ensuring compliance with DCFS requirements and best practices in trauma-informed care.
• Supervise program leadership staff, including 1 Program Supervisor, 2 Coordinators, 1 Educational Specialist, 1 Lived Experience Consultant, and 18 direct care staff.
• Ensure quality assurance through data monitoring, performance measurement, and program evaluation.
• Oversee individualized treatment planning and multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings to coordinate medical, mental health, educational, and community support.

Strategic Growth & Development

• Develop and expand Shelter's continuum of trafficking-related services (e.g., drop-in services, aftercare, workforce re-entry programs).
• Monitor state and national trends to identify emerging needs and propose new program initiatives.
• Represent Shelter at statewide Human Trafficking Task Force meetings and other collaborative forums.

Staff Development & Training

• Ensure program staff receive ongoing training in trauma-informed care, human trafficking identification, crisis intervention, and evidence-based practices.
• Coordinate cross-program training to enhance agency-wide capacity to recognize and respond to trafficking.
• Support professional development, performance management, and staff retention strategies.

Community Engagement & Advocacy

• Build and maintain partnerships with DCFS, law enforcement, healthcare providers, schools, and other community stakeholders.
• Advocate for policies and practices that support survivors of trafficking.
• Serve as a subject matter expert to external partners and represent Shelter as a leader in human trafficking services.

Organizational Leadership

• Collaborate with the Associate Director and leadership team to align program strategies with Shelter's mission and long-term vision.
• Participate in agency-wide initiatives, including risk management, quality improvement, and compliance activities.
• Contribute to grant writing, fundraising, and reporting to sustain and expand trafficking services.

ACCOUNTABILITY

The Director of Human Trafficking Services shall be supervised by and is accountable to the Associate Director.

HOURS OF EMPLOYMENT Work hours and days will be determined based on the needs of the program. The standard schedule for this position is Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with flexibility as required to meet program or agency needs.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• Master's degree in social work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related social services field required.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in child welfare, residential services, or related human services programs.
• Demonstrated experience working with survivors of human trafficking, commercial sexual exploitation, or other highly vulnerable populations.
• Knowledge of DCFS standards, trauma-informed care, and evidence-based treatment models.
• Lived experience of human trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation will be strongly considered as part of the candidate's qualifications.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership, organizational, and management skills, with the ability to supervise large multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, public speaking, and advocacy skills.
• Ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Data-driven decision-making and program evaluation expertise.
• High cultural humility and commitment to survivor-centered, strengths-based approaches.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; talk or hear; stand; walk; and use hands to handle or operate objects. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, lift, and reach with hands or arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT Shelter is committed to providing safe, inclusive, and supportive resources for youth and families from all backgrounds and identities. We actively strive to create an environment that supports all employees, placing value in contributions from people from diverse backgrounds, and honoring all experiences, perspectives, and unique identities.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed primarily in the agency facilities, and occasionally in vehicles, meeting rooms both in the facility and at other agency sites.

CLASSIFICATION STATUS This is an exempt position.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Salary: $80,000- $85,000 based on experience
• Benefits:
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Life Insurance
• Disability coverage
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Paid holidays and generous PTO
• Flexible hybrid work schedule
• Professional development opportunities
• Mileage reimbursement for work-related travel

Shelter is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences, including individuals from historically underrepresented communities. We are committed to building a safe and inclusive workplace for all.