Case Manager - Housing Advocacy

The Case Manager – Housing Advocacy supports individuals referred to the Norman Housing Advocacy and Youth Housing Advocacy programs in achieving and maintaining permanent, affordable, and safe housing. This role focuses on addressing the underlying causes of homelessness or housing instability, helping clients obtain essential documentation and services needed to secure or sustain housing, whether market-rate or subsidized, and working toward individualized goals that promote long-term stability. The Case Manager conducts outreach and provides advocacy and supportive services to youth who are formerly in or transitioning from foster care, as well as families involved with the Department of Child and Family Services who are receiving intact services or seeking reunification. Responsibilities include assessing immediate and long-term housing and supportive service needs; developing collaborative housing action plans; assisting clients in locating and securing permanent housing through education, housing referrals, transportation, landlord mediation, utility access support, and housing counseling; providing life skills education such as tenant readiness, budgeting, and financial literacy; supporting employment and benefit access; connecting clients to community resources; conducting follow-up to prevent housing crises; expanding housing options for families certified into the Norman class; and helping youth build relationships with supportive adults as they transition into adulthood.

• Must have completed 2 years of college at an accredited college or university and, preferably, have an associate degree in human services or a related field or higher education. A combination of education and lived experience as a youth aging out of child welfare system care may be considered. At least 1 year experience working in human services is preferred.
• Ability to pass criminal background check.
• Valid driver’s license and safe and reliable vehicle. Ability to transport clients using agency vehicles on occasion.
• Strong background in customer services and human services with program’s target population, with excellent customer service skills and a professional demeanor.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles.
• Knowledge of and/or experience in working with young adults and/or families experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
• Knowledge of and/or experience with the DCFS system.
• Knowledge of continuing education options including high school, trade, and college.
• Understand steps individuals lacking employment history can implement to work toward gainful employment.
• Knowledge of housing continuum from shelter to home ownership in service area.
• Knowledge of public assistance programs, including eligibility and application process.
• Possess household budgeting skills.
• Ability to attend community meetings, provide program information at community meetings, and collect and share relevant meeting information with team.
• Ability to work with clients on an individual and family level.
• Demonstrate excellent organizational skills with experience accurately documenting services through case notes and/or detailed billing highly desired.
• Strong interpersonal, networking, written, and verbal communication skills and the ability to forge positive relationships with clients, co-workers, and colleagues.
• Proficient in English (spelling, punctuation, grammar).
• Ability to attend worksite regularly to perform job duties and responsibilities.
• Aptitude to become proficient with proprietary database operations and demonstrate functional proficiency in use of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, etc.) for case documentation, data entry, and time sheets.
• Ability to use organization and records management skills to manage all aspects of a client’s case, including tracking activities, updating records, monitoring outcomes, managing files and documents, and following all recordkeeping requirements.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule to accommodate program needs including periodic early mornings, evenings, nights, and weekends.
• Preferred: knowledgeable of resources, services, and activities for young adults and families experiencing homelessness and/or housing instability in Champaign County.
• Preferred: knowledge of and/or experience working with individuals experiencing mental health issues and/or substance use disorders.

Schedule: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., M-F (Flexibility is necessary to support the goals of the program.)

Worksite: 1776. E. Washington Street, Urbana, IL 61802

Status: Full-Time/37.5 hours per week

Starting Wage: $21.48 - $23.00

Competitive benefits, health insurance, dental insurance, retirement, high quality programming and great work environment!