Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Coordinator

Position Summary: The FSS Coordinator provides administrative services to HCV clients in accordance with Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines and the HAJ Administrative plan and daily operational processes. This position is grant funded through HUD and may terminate when funding is no longer available.

Essential Functions:

• Must submit annual grant application/reports to maintain and or secure funding for the FSS Program and position of Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator
• Develop a strong working relationship with various service provider agencies to ensure smooth referrals and follow-up of FSS clients
• Develop, implement and document an effective process to recruit eligible FSS program participants
• Conducts timely re-certifications for assigned clients either annually or interim as required due to family status changes in accordance with HUD and HAJ policy (re-certifications must be completed a minimum of 30 days prior to effective date)
• Develop, coordinate, maintain, and distribute monthly FSS Newsletter
• Develop FSS recruitment materials (brochures, flyers and training modules) to encourage maximum resident population involvement in FSS program
  • Develop a detailed Individual Training & Service Plan (ITSP) outlining the specific services and goals to facilitate FSS client self-sufficiency
  • Identify, develop, write, implement and administer activities and programs to meet the needs and overcome barriers and service gaps for family self-sufficiency
  • Educate and monitor FSS participants of their responsibilities within the FSS program and develop individual goals for families to achieve self-sufficiency
  • Plans and coordinates activities for FSS program participants including but not limited to (job training; GED classes; housing counseling and home buyer training)
• Coordinate escrow account payments and withdrawals with the Chief Financial Officer for FSS participants
• Develop and maintain comprehensive FSS participant files which document:
  • Initial program application
  • Participant/family program screening assessment
  • Childcare, educational, employability, financial, and healthcare assessments
  • Social issue assessments (psychological and/or mental; substance abuse; parenting classes; domestic violence, etc)
  • Referral agency forms and follow up documentation
  • Individual and family long and short-range self-sufficiency goals
  • Escrow Account Calculations (updated monthly)
  • Individual and family progress reports and notes
• Meet and document with FSS Program participants a minimum of monthly to review goal progress and plan compliance
• Confirm monthly data reflected in PIC and HAJ system(s) are accurate
• Maintain data and report grant metrics (monthly or as required) to maintain grant compliance
• Identify potential FSS funding resources and write a minimum of ten (10) grant applications and successfully secure at least two (2) program funding sources in excess of $50,000 per program to maintain and/or increase availability of FSS Program services
• Attend meetings, make presentations, advocate and network with areas service providers to increase community awareness of HAJ FSS Program and initiatives and encourage collaboration and non-duplication of program services
• Develop and maintain FSS Program participant database to generate data regarding program effectiveness, impact and participant achievement
• Facilitate graduation ceremonies for FSS participants who have successfully completed the program 
  • Prepares monthly reports as required by HAJ and HUD
• Occasionally required to drive to off-site for meetings with clients and community partners
• Types and mails correspondence as necessary and maintains copies in client files
• Understands principles of records and file management
• Knowledge of intermediate mathematical calculations
• Understands rules and regulations of the HCV Program

• Perform other duties as assigned

Success factors/job competencies:

• Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite products and a variety of other software applications
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Planning – ability to think ahead and plan over a one-to two-year time span
• Management – multitask and organize multiple priorities 
• Technical skills in record retention protocols
• Commitment to company values

Physical demands and work environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those which must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical demands: While performing duties of job, employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear.  Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to focus.
• Work environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Occasional after-hours or weekend hours may be necessary to recruit and/or facilitate meetings with participants and broader community partners, subject to management authorization 

Qualifications Required:

• High School Diploma and five years relevant housing/occupancy specialist, case management or related work in property management/real estate or public housing experience
• Must have an accredited HCV Certification (Specialist of Occupancy or HCV Specialist Certification) or the ability to obtain within 6 months of hire
• Must possess a valid Illinois driver’s license and current automobile insurance
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check

Qualifications Preferred:

• Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Sociology, Psychology, Education, Social Justice, Business/Public Administration or related field
• Minimum of four (4) years’ experience coordinating, supervising and/or implementing socio-economic programs; or working with low-income families preferably with case-management experience
• Must have an accredited HCV Certification (Specialist of Occupancy or HCV Specialist Certification) or the ability to obtain within 6 months of hire
• Must possess a valid Illinois driver’s license and current automobile insurance
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check

Qualifications Preferred:

• $26.60/hr - $27.53/hr, commensurate with experience