SAFETY COORDINATOR

About Cara Collective
Cara Collective seeks to fuel a courageous national movement to eradicate relational and financial poverty.
Through our four entities – Cara, Cleanslate, Cara Connects, and Cara Plus – we engage job seekers, employers, and other organizations across the country to break the cycle of poverty through the power and purpose of employment.
At present, we produce 1,000 jobs each year; however, our results don’t just end with employment. Today, we take the insights gained over the past 30 years to equip other organizations and employers with practices to help build a more inclusive economy.
Learn more at www.caracollective.org.

About the Cara Collective Operations Team

The Facilities, Administration and Operations Team is responsible for proactively creating a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for staff, participants, volunteers, and guests, and in providing support to other departments and participants in their functions to provide a unified approach to Facilities and Administration management. This is achieved through effective communication, collaboration, resourcefulness, and willingness to provide support wherever required.

About the Role

The Safety Coordinator ensures a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment for participants, staff, and visitors across all Cara Program locations. This role centers on non-violent crisis intervention, trauma-informed practices, and restorative justice principles. The Safety Coordinator is responsible for monitoring facility safety systems, responding to emergencies, and maintaining a secure environment aligned with our mission.

Qualifications 

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in active, people-centered environments, is committed to equity and inclusion, and is energized by creating safe, welcoming spaces where everyone can thrive. The right candidate brings both calm under pressure and a strong sense of purpose—someone who understands the importance of safety and care in a transformational setting.

As Safety Coordinator, you will be an essential part of our community, helping maintain physical safety while supporting the emotional well-being of participants, staff, and guests. You will apply trauma-informed practices, non-violent crisis response, and restorative justice principles to create an environment that truly reflects our values.

If you are looking to make a difference in the lives of others while growing in your own professional journey, we encourage you to apply. The ideal candidate will bring a blend of hands-on experience, calm leadership, and a deep commitment to creating safe and inclusive spaces.

Requirements:

• A valid Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC)
• Experience in de-escalation, safety, security, crisis intervention, or a related field.
• Strong communication and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to remain calm and think clearly in high-stress situations.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and trauma-informed care.
• Flexibility to work varied hours and travel between sites as needed.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Work may include evenings or weekends based on program needs.
• Current CPR/First Aid/AED certification is a plus.
• Must complete required safety and crisis intervention training within the first 90 days of employment.

Key Responsibilities

Facility Oversight (65%)

• Conduct full walkthroughs of the facility throughout the day and at the end of each shift.
• Perform metal detection screening of all visitors and guests (excluding staff) upon entry; all non-staff individuals are subject to search for weapons.
• Monitor security systems, including surveillance cameras, electric doors, emergency panic alarm systems, and the MS Teams Emergency Chat group.
• Enforce facility guidelines and behavioral expectations for participants and visitors.
• Protect organizational assets from theft, fire, or other safety risks.
• Follow fire prevention, property patrol, incident investigations, and emergency response procedures.
• Complete and submit incident reports for all incidents on the same day to management.
• During breaks, enforce the no-smoking policy in front of the building. 

Safety & Crisis Response (20%)

• Support staff in verbal and physical de-escalation of participants using approved crisis prevention and intervention techniques.
• Respond immediately to crises and emergencies, providing direction and leadership to participants and staff.
• Call law enforcement and emergency medical services when necessary.
• Report all emergencies via radio to management and leadership.
• Escorting staff and participants to and from vehicles or public transit stops upon request.
• Provide Breathalyzers and Drug Test as requested
• Escort "Barred" Participants from the property as requested

Communication & Reporting (5%)

• Maintain daily safety logs and report all incidents to site leadership and the Safety Manager.
• Communicate openly about conflicts, emergencies, and safety concerns.
• Collaborate with other departments to ensure a coordinated response to safety issues.

Participant & Staff Support (5%)

• Provide empathetic, respectful, and professional support to participants and staff.
• Promote a safe and inclusive environment aligned with The Cara Program’s mission and values.
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and restorative justice practices.

Reports To

Manager of Office Operations

Direct Report(s)

N/A

Workplace Type & Team Culture

Cara Collective has a strong team culture that values collaboration, communication, and camaraderie. We believe in the power of working together in person, which is why we expect our employees to be onsite at one of our Chicago-based locations multiple days each week.  The exact number of onsite days per week may vary by role, employee tenure, and other factors. This commitment to in-person collaboration fosters a sense of belonging and teamwork among our employees, creating a supportive and dynamic work environment.

We consistently measure staff satisfaction through employee surveys and have found that year after year, the vast majority of staff agree that Cara Collective is a great place to work and grow. This high level of employee satisfaction reflects our dedication to creating a positive and fulfilling workplace for all members of our team.

Starting Pay Range

We take budget and starting salary very seriously. We market our roles and use a salary analysis tool called Payscale and offer competitive, market-based compensation to all employees.

The expected starting salary range for this position is $40,000 to $50,000 per year.

Benefits

Our comprehensive benefit package includes:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Plans
• Basic Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• Personal Technology Reimbursement
• Starting with 17 Vacation Days, 8 Sick Days,
• 14 Paid Holidays

Employee Paid Benefits

• Pre-Tax Medical Flexible Spending Account
• Pre-Tax Dependent Care Account
• Pre-Tax Transit & Parking Options
• Supplemental Life and AD&D Insurance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan (employer match up to 4% upon hire & immediately vested)

As of this posting, we annually review our benefit offerings to meet our employees’ needs and be competitive in the market. All listed benefits offerings a at the discretion of the employer.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Cara Collective is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Cara Collective does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability, please email us at jjones@carachicago.org if you require reasonable accommodation to complete this application.