Please send cover letters and resumes to jobs@fourthchurch.org.
No phone calls, please.

Program Description

The Chicago Lights Social Service Center (SSC) connects with over 1,300 adults to encourage self-development, deep connections, and brighter futures through case management, enrichment programming, and food and clothing services.

Position Description

The Case Manager (CM) will oversee all the housing-related needs of SSC participants, as well as the Housing Opportunities Program (HOP). The CM will provide one-to-one case management with motivated participants who are looking for housing. This includes conducting intake assessments, devising service plans, enhancing the SSC’s housing resources, and cultivating new relationships with landlords offering affordable housing in the Chicago area.

Additionally, the CM will oversee the HOP. The HOP is a privately funded housing voucher program that provides rental assistance and case management services for three SSC participants. Participants of the program must have employment and be willing to meet weekly with the CM for wraparound services. The participants will work with the CM to overcome their identified housing barrier(s). The HOP is currently in the foundational stages, so the ideal candidate for this position will be energized by new initiatives and eager to take on challenges associated with piloting new programs.

Overall, the CM will have significant expertise in providing care to low-income, culturally diverse populations, will have extensive knowledge of Chicago-area resources and systems, and will be able to work extremely well within a diverse, multi-disciplinary team.

Primary Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities of the Case Manager include, but are not limited to:

• Coordination of the Housing Opportunities Program (HOP): The CM will oversee the success of this program, provide direct support to participants in the process of becoming housed, and ensure each participant’s individual barrier(s) to housing are adequately addressed within the required time limits. Programming includes meeting with participants on a weekly basis, screening new applicants as vacancies arise, and ensure that participants successfully graduate from the program within the required timeframe.
• Housing Case Management: The CM will provide one-to-one case management to participants with a regular income in need of stable housing. This includes intake, assessment, goal setting/achievement, referrals, application assistance, and support related to obtaining and maintaining stable housing.
• Community Engagement: The CM will be extremely proactive in reaching out to landlords and community housing programs with the purpose of creating new linkages to supportive housing programs and landlords to work with SSC clients. The CM will update and maintain the SSC housing resources to ensure that there is robust access to resources, both public and privately funded. The CM will spend time researching/navigating websites for the Chicago Housing Authority, Housing for Urban Development, and other apartment search engines.
• Educate and Train Staff: The CM will act as lead consultant for SSC staff on all housing resources, including transitional, subsidized, and affordable housing options. The CM will do an orientation for all new staff on how to complete housing intakes and do housing case management. The CM will also supervise intern and support staff who have an interest in learning more about providing housing related support.
• Housing Groups: The CM will lead groups focused on the topic of housing for SSC participants. The CM will lead groups on the following topics: financial literacy, credit score, applying for housing, landlord etiquette, etc.
• Meals Ministry Table: The CM will be available to provide housing case management during the Meals Ministry Table Hour and during drop-in services.
• Drop-In Services: Participate in morning drop-in services where SSC participants are provided with case management services, clothing, toiletries, and food resources.
• Staff/Director Meetings: Meet with the Program Director for supervision and actively participate in weekly team meetings, All Chicago Lights meetings, and All Staff meetings.
• Confidentiality: Maintain confidentiality of participant information in all written, oral, or electronic forms.
• Gain a deep knowledge regarding all SSC programs and procedures, complete necessary intake forms, and thoroughly document all participant interactions.
• Use the S.P.I.R.I.T. principles of hospitality when interacting with visitors, participants, members, and staff of Fourth Presbyterian Church and Chicago Lights.
• It is impossible to convey every single task in one job description. As the role evolves over time, this job description will be adjusted accordingly.
  

Qualifications

• Comfort working with individuals experiencing homelessness both in an office and community setting
• Extensive knowledge of supportive, affordable, and subsidized housing options in Chicago area or willingness to learn
• Strong skills in research, written and verbal communication, and documentation
• Experience in trauma- informed care or willingness to learn
• Willingness to be a life-long learner and attend conferences, webinars, and trainings that provide updates on the everchanging landscape of affordable housing in the Chicagoland area
• A commitment to inclusive, equitable, and anti-racist care
• Salesforce experience preferred; Microsoft Office experience required
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and strong organizational skills
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including both in-office and field work (travel expenses will be reimbursed)
• Preference for working in a team environment with shared responsibilities and decision-making
• Strong work ethic, solid judgment, and apparent leadership skills and personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to Chicago Lights’ mission
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (or related field) preferred
• Commitment to racial equity and social justice: willingness to recognize the role of race, income, age, immigration status, and other identities in shaping disparities, and work toward amplifying community voices to advocate for equity; ability to recognize how your own identities show up in the work, and welcome, reflect on, and act on feedback with an eye toward continuous learning about race, ability, and other lines of difference.
  

Schedule

Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, up to 40 hours per week

COVID-19 Considerations
At this time, masks are welcomed but not required. We will adjust this as pandemic continues. 

In the spirit of caring for one another and our community, please note that upon accepting an offer of employment from Fourth Presbyterian Church or Chicago Lights, you will be required to share proof of a COVID-19 vaccination. This requirement is subject to accommodation in compliance with applicable laws.

Physical Requirements
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 15-25 pounds at times.
• Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization’s facilities

Work Environment
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with different abilities to perform the essential functions.

• If the current health conditions dictate, must be able to participate in online virtual communications including email, video conferencing, and other online tools used to facilitate virtual office culture and work sharing.
• Smoke- and drug (illegal or recreational)-free environment.
• Fourth aims for accessibility in any off-site location that we have control of, but some of them may not be fully accessible.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and scanners. Employee is regularly required to communicate effectively via computer, via phone, and in-person.
• This role requires frequent sitting.
• Fourth Presbyterian Church’s office is located in downtown Chicago.

EEO Statement
Fourth Presbyterian Church is committed to equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons, without regard to race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, creed, physical or mental disability, marital status or familial status, veteran status, military status, source of income, political affiliation, or any other factor protected by law. Fourth Church seeks to build and retain a diverse staff and is committed to fostering an equitable and inclusive workplace where everyone is treated as a respected and valued member of the team. Fourth Church is committed to elevating the voices of women, young people, people of color, Native people, immigrant and refugees, low-income people, LGBQ+, and transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary people, people with disabilities, and young parents. We encourage people from these communities to apply.

Please send cover letters and resumes to jobs@fourthchurch.org.
No phone calls, please.

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