Housing Specialist

Bethany for Children & Families is looking for a Housing Specialist! The Housing Specialist provides case management and supportive social services to children, youth, and families assigned to their caseload in accordance with the program plan. This role focuses on building strong, supportive relationships with clients and helping them identify, address, and achieve the needs and goals outlined in their individualized treatment plans. The Housing Specialist must be responsive and dependable, including being available during times of crisis to meet with youth or families in various settings, including the client’s home, which may occur outside of traditional business hours. 

Hourly rate $24.23 per hour. 

Benefits That’ll Make You Smile!

We don’t just want you to work here — we want you to love working here! That’s why we’ve got perks to keep you happy, healthy, and growing:

Vacation time that grows with you — earn with up to 80 hours in your first year, then bump up to 160 hours after.

Sick time you can count on when you need it most. Earn up to 96 hours each year.

11 paid holidays to relax and recharge.

403(b) retirement plan with 8% employer contributions.

Health Insurance.

Dental Insurance.

Vision Insurance.

Life insurance & AD&D coverage included.

Options for extra voluntary coverage if you want to beef things up.

Educational Aid program to keep your skills sharp.

The Housing Specialist Performance Objectives:

1. Maintains a service caseload as determined by the program plan by:

• Assessing the appropriateness of service requests and clearly explaining the organization’s services to clients. 
• Completing preliminary client assessments and collaborating with the Manager of Community Services to develop effective case or treatment plans based on client needs. 
• Managing a workload of up to fifteen (15) individuals and their children as they progress through the housing program, using strong decision-making skills and maintaining accountability. 
• Organizing time in a structured and efficient manner to meet client needs, program expectations, and performance objectives. 
• Maintaining accurate and timely case records, submitting required reports, and providing statistical data. This may include 1 to 2 hours of documentation daily. 
• Meeting regularly with the Manager of Community Services to review clinical matters, service delivery concerns, and issues requiring supervisory approval or referral source authorization. 
• Developing and applying knowledge of organizational and community resources to support client goals and evaluating their effectiveness for individual needs. 
• Remaining accessible to clients for meetings at times that accommodate their schedules or contractual requirements, including daytime or evening availability as needed. 
• Demonstrating a commitment to professional growth by participating in ongoing training and using feedback constructively. 
• Maintaining professional relationships with colleagues, referral sources, and community providers. 
• Attending staff meetings, program meetings, and required training sessions. 

2. Supports and advances the organization’s mission by actively contributing to strategic goals and initiatives.

3. Performs other duties as assigned.

The Housing Specialist shall:

1. Possess a bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, psychology, or a related field, preferred. 
2. Have experience working with youth and/or individuals experiencing housing insecurity, preferred. 
3. Successfully complete Illinois State Police and Federal Office of the Inspector General background checks. 
4. Provide reliable transportation for job responsibilities, including maintaining a valid driver’s license, acceptable insurance coverage, and the ability to travel throughout an eight-county service area to meet with clients. 
5. Meet eligibility requirements for a case management position as defined by the funding contract supporting the role. 
6. Maintain a flexible schedule in response to program needs and caseload assignments. 
7. Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and responsiveness, with the ability to work effectively with diverse families through a trauma-informed, nonjudgmental, and compassionate approach while supporting participants in achieving their goals. 
8. Exhibit empathy, professionalism, and a genuine passion for helping individuals grow beyond past trauma. 
9. Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. 
10. Manage conflict and engage in difficult conversations in a direct, respectful, and professional manner with clients and team members. 
11. Demonstrate commitment to the organization’s vision, mission, philosophy, and goals, and work collaboratively as part of a treatment team. 
12. Be able to lift up to 30 pounds. 
13. Be able to transport car seats to and from the office and clients’ homes. 
14. Be able to physically attend to young children and infants as needed.

Ready to Make a Difference?

We can’t wait to meet you! Apply today and become part of a team that’s all about supporting each other, growing together, and making a positive impact in our community.  Bethany values those with lived experience and encourages former foster youth, people in recovery, and those with lived experience of housing instability to apply. 

Equal Opportunity Employer

Bethany for Children & Families, as an Equal Opportunity Employer, is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, gender, gender identification, marital status, sexual orientation, sexual preference, citizenship status, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic defined by law. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and identities who share our commitment to keeping children safe, strengthening families, and building healthy communities.