Heartland Alliance
Youth Housing Care Specialist
Title:  Youth Housing Care Specialist

 Location:  4822 N Broadway

 Shift:  Monday to Friday (8:30am to 5:00pm)

Summary: Under the general guidance of the Program Manager, The Youth Housing Care Specialist will serve as the main point of contact and primary case manager for youth enrolled in the Neon Transitional Housing program. Outcomes are achieved through implementation of participants’ individual service plans (ISP), by providing ongoing housing case management services, and connecting youth to needed resources in the community.

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

Our Benefits

 Medical insurance Dental insurance Vision insurance 401(k) match Paid maternity leave Paid paternity leave Commuter benefits Student loan assistance Tuition assistance Disability insurance

Essential Functions

Duties & Responsibilities

Completes intake paperwork with participants and gathers eligibility documentation. Orients participants to the program. Explains paperwork fully and completely. Rapidly engages participants and builds rapport and trust.Locates and secures appropriate private market housing units to homeless youth and provides advocacy services with landlords on behalf of program participants as needed.Uses Ansell Casey assessment and/or other appropriate assessment tools to create individualized service plans, follows up with participants to ensure progress is being made toward identified goals, and provides both case management services and referrals to community resources to assist participants in accomplishing program goals.Utilizes motivational interviewing techniques, maintains clinical understanding of how mental health influences behavior, and uses a trauma-informed approach in working with youth.Monitors the participants’ self-administration of medication as applicable.Completes file reviews and other quality assurance activities as required. Completes and writes case notes daily, uses electronic database(s), completes reports on time, and maintains participant files.Meets with employers, landlords and service providers to help resolve conflicts that might arise.Networks with other housing and youth service providers to ensure that the needs of the youths are adequately addressed.Administers funds for client assistance per program policies and procedures. Participates in program and operational planning with Program Manager. Continues his/her professional development by active, self-initiated participation in/with supervision, in house training, conferences, seminars and independent study.Adheres to professional standards as outlined by governmental bodies, NASW (and/or other appropriate professional associations), private funding sources, Organization plans/policies and program guidelines. Initiates requests for assistance from Supervisor to address new issues or complex concepts affecting adherence to professional standards.Transportation of program participants and/or Organizational property may be required.Working outside of regular work hours with a flex schedule may be required in order to visit participants when they are available.

Education And Experience

Bachelor’s degree in a social service field is required. Master’s degree preferred.Minimum 3 years of experience in advocacy services, case management or similar work in a direct service setting.Experience working with special populations including homeless and at-risk individuals; individuals with psychiatric disorders and/or individuals with chemical dependencies is required. Specific experience working with youth ages 18-24 is required.

Certifications/Licenses

Valid driver’s license and use of personal vehicle required.

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

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 Alliance.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.Strategic thought partnership and consultancy skills.

Work Arrangement

This role will have a hybrid work arrangement. It is expected that this candidate would be able to meet for in-person meetings when needed or at the request of management. In-person meetings with program participants is required.

Work Environment

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

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.The employee may be exposed to outside weather conditions.Program sites operate Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm. To meet both the needs of our participants and contractual obligations, employees are required to be flexible regarding daily schedules and work locations.Program sites are located on both the North and South sides of Chicago. Employees may be required to report to any one of our locations on a temporary or permanent basis.

Physical Demands

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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and maintain close/distance vision. The employee is regularly required to sit, stand and walk.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 45 pounds. 

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Heartland Human Care Services makes all hiring and employment decisions, and operates all programs, services, and functions without regard to race, receipt of an order of protection, creed, color, age, gender, gender identity, marital or parental status, religion, ancestry, national origin, amnesty, physical or mental disability, protected veterans status, genetic information, sexual orientation, immigrant status, political affiliation or belief, use of FMLA, VESSA, military, and family military rights, ex-offender status (depending on the offense and position to be filled), unfavorable military discharge, membership in an organization whose primary purpose is the protection of civil rights or improvement of living conditions and human relations, height, weight, or HIV infection, in accord with the organization's AIDS Policy Statement of September 1987.
Chicago, IL