Housing Resource Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Title: Housing Resource Specialist

Location: 4822 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640 and 839 W. 79th Street, Chicago, IL 60620

Schedule: Hybrid, Monday to Friday (8:30am-5:00pm)

Su mmary:

The Housing Resource Specialist provides technical assistance, information and referral, advocacy and resource development for Agency program participants and related service providers. The employee in this position at a residential program may be required to remain on agency premises during break and/or meal periods. Individual accountabilities and work volume will be established through the development of annual Success Objectives, within the framework outlined below.

The Housing Resource Specialist leverages industry knowledge and best practices to promote the mission and vision of Heartland Human Care Services. Supports culture development and management efforts.

Why Join Us?

• Make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals seeking education and career pathways.
• Collaborate with a diverse and passionate team dedicated to the mission and vision of our organization.
• Achieve your goals in a supportive environment that prioritizes your well-being and personal flexibility.

Our Benefits:

• Medical insurance. BCBS PPO, HMO, and HDHP with HSA Plan
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• 401(k) 3% Employer Contribution.
• Commuter benefits.
• Professional Development Assistance.
• Disability insurance.
• Voluntary Benefits.
• Flexible Spending Account.
• Life/AD&D Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Special Vendor Discounted Offerings on Travel, Amusement Parks,etc.

Essential Functions:

Duties & Responsibilities

• Locates and secures appropriate private market housing units available to homeless or at risk individuals.
• Interviews clients to determine the appropriateness of potential referral both from the perspective of the individual need and the resource referral criteria.
• Instructs clients in budgeting skills, employment interviewing, job search skills and other specific skills necessary to achieve successful referral.
• Meets with employees, landlords and service providers to help resolve conflicts that might arise with referred clients and negotiate linkages to provide follow up services.
• Assists in identification of supportive service “gaps” and needs at the program level.
• Networks with other housing service providers to ensure that the housing needs of homeless or at risk individuals are adequately addressed.
• Administers funds for client assistance per program policies and procedures that will help clients to access resources (i.e., resources such as buying household items and groceries.).
• Participates in organizations and coalitions, which help promote greater resources for clients.
• Develops and maintains professional relationship with social service and government agencies and with other organizations to enhance service delivery and the agency image. Interprets agency programs to other social service and government agencies, the public and civic groups.
• Continues professional development by active, self-initiated participation in/with supervision, in house training, conferences, seminars and independent study.
• Participates in program and operational planning.
• Assists in the preparation of grant applications, which will increase resources or linkages to existing resources.
• Participates actively in all supervisory, unit and agency meetings.
• Adheres to professional standards as outlined by governmental bodies and or other appropriate professional associations) private funding sources Agency plans/policies and unity guidelines. Participates in periodic evaluative reviews and/or in house and external staff training to ensure that he/she understands and continues to adhere to such standards. Initiates requests for assistance or guidance from Supervisor to address new issues or complex concepts affecting adherence to professional standards.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in a social service field and (1) year of experience in advocacy services, case management or similar work in a direct service setting OR; a Bachelor’s degree in a social service field and (3) years of experience in advocacy services, case management or similar work in a direct service setting.
• Experience in working with special populations including homeless and at-risk individuals; individuals with psychiatric disorders and/or individuals with chemical dependencies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and access to regular, dependable and timely transportation and comfortable working with people of varying socioeconomic backgrounds.

Certifications/Licenses:

• A valid driver's license is required with a driving record that meets organizational eligibility standards.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities (K/S/A):

• Access to regular, dependable, and timely transportation
• Ability and comfortability working with people of varying socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Excellent communication skills. Strong networker, convener, relationship builder and communicator with experience collaborating with diverse work teams and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and sensitive information possessing skills to handle situations in a professional and diplomatic manner.
• A high degree of collaboration and emotional intelligence, self-motivation, and analytical ability.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Outlook/Exchange; Windows operating systems; and other software routinely used by Heartland Human Care Services.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to work independently and remain self-motivated with minimal direct supervision.

Work Arrangement:

The role is a “hybrid” or “remote” arrangement, requiring frequent local travel to secure housing, interview clients, and negotiate with landlords and service providers, it is expected this person would be able to meet for “in person” meetings when needed or at the request of others. In-person meetings may be required on a regular basis (weekly, monthly, etc.). There may also be the availability to work from home when appropriate .

Work Environment:

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 
• May be required to work evening and/or weekend hours as needed. 
• May require travel throughout the Chicago area to participant homes and community locations. 
• Program sites are located throughout Chicago, including the North, West, and South sides of Chicago. Employees may be required to report to any of our locations on a temporary or permanent basis. 
• For homework, the employee must have a confidential workspace. 

Physical Demands:  

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.   
• The employee is regularly required to sit, stand and walk. 
• The employee must be able to stoop, kneel and/or crawl. 
• The employee is regularly required to use hands to key, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.  
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  
• The employee must have unrestricted ability to provide physical restraint. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus .

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

HHCS is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. HHCS is committed to providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. Consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, HHCS prohibits discrimination or harassment against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression), national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy applies to all employment practices, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, benefits, training, discipline, and termination. HHCS also provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, as required by law.