Successful candidates for all AmeriCorps positions will perform their service hours on-site at Housing Forward or a partner agency, and will not be considered employees of the respective agency.
Housing Forward is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will not discriminate against applicants for employment because of race, creed, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sex, or sexual orientation.
This position provides administrative support to the agency's executive team comprised of the Executive Director, Director of Operations & Client Services, Director of Finance & Administration, Director of Development & Communications and Director of Coordinated Entry. The ideal candidate must be agile, highly-organized with a professional and pleasant demeanor. The candidate will support the steady pace of the executive team while prioritizing completion of tasks. This candidate must have strong written and verbal communication, administrative and organizational skills.
The Job Developer is responsible for working with clients (homeless and at risk of-homelessness ) to increase their ability to secure and maintain gainful employment. The Job Developer is also responsible for identifying potential job placement opportunities for program participants and working to develop relationships with said placements. The Job Developer will interact with both participants and job sites in order to make appropriate placements.
Housing Forward has a network of 1200 volunteers that support the agency’s six program areas. The role of the Volunteer & Community Outreach Manager is to provide overall management of the agency’ Volunteer Services program, to lead efforts to improve the agency’s recruitment process, and to manage the agency’s 10+ year AmeriCorps program. This position supervises the Volunteer Coordinator, an AmeriCorps Member, and works in conjunction with five program managers to identify volunteer needs and to ensure volunteers are properly trained.
The Shelter Diversion/Aftercare Specialist 1) provides intervention strategies for households who are at-risk of homelessness, as defined by HUD or other federal statutes; and 2) provides comprehensive housing retention case management, advocacy, and support to former clients of the housing programs by assisting them in maintaining stable housing and self-sufficiency to prevent housing loss.
The Employment Readiness Program helps individuals address barriers to employment and locate, obtain and sustain employment leading to improved financial stability. The Employment Program Associate will facilitate client case management and program services; provide follow-up care as needed for clients completing the program, help maintain referral resources for clients; help maintain computerized and paper client files, and assist with outreach to employers and training programs as needed.
The Emergency Assistance Program works with individuals and families to address to address the immediate crisis through a combination of financial support, if available, and referrals to community based stability support resources. Housing Forward is part of the Suburban Cook County Continuum of Care and as such, collaborates closely with other area homelessness service providers and will be a lead agency in Coordinated Entry. The Emergency Assistance Program Associate will assist with client case management, program services, report coordination and various administrative functions for Emergency Assistance Program. The Program Associate will play an integral role in assessing client need, initiating case management referrals and maintaining our community resource database.
The shelter outreach and engagement specialist is responsible for 1) intake, assessment, and referral services to clients in the Emergency Shelter; 2) facilitation of clients’ move beyond shelter services by linking clients to Housing Forward’s continuum of care; and 3) providing crisis intervention, advocacy and education to and on behalf of clients. The outreach and engagement specialist strives to build a trusting relationship with shelter guests in an effort to encourage access to services and housing and reduce the length of stay in the Emergency Shelter.
The Case Aide assists clients experiencing homelessness with basic needs and enrolling in benefits in the day-time Support Center and assists with case management under the direction of Case Managers. The Case Aide also helps ensure the smooth operation of the Support Center and create a welcoming, safe space for clients.
