Outreach Case Manager

Description

Position Summary: The OHM Case Manager provides outreach-driven case management services through the Outreach and Health Ministry (OHM) program. Unlike traditional office-based case management roles, this position actively engages individuals in the community (on the street, at encampments, on outreach vans, and at partner sites) and continues working with them beyond initial contact to complete housing applications, benefits enrollment, and other intensive case management services. This role also develops and maintains quality referral relationships with social service agencies.

General Purpose: This role supports individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability, many of whom are medically vulnerable, in achieving housing stability and improved health outcomes.

Role Qualifications

• Must meet all governmental, agency, and/or grantors’ qualifications for the position.
• Must exhibit the ability and willingness to work individually, as well as part of a team.
• Detail-oriented self-starter with demonstrated interpersonal skills and a clear sense of professional boundaries.
• Must be able to work on the street in the daytime and evenings in all weather for extended periods.
• Ability to respond calmly to emergencies and in accordance with Night Ministry policies.
• Must be trauma competent, harm reduction competent, LGBTQQIA competent, street culture competent, and able to work with diverse populations.
• Commitment to harm reduction principles, including promoting safety, dignity, and non-judgmental support for individuals who use drugs.
  
  

Position Responsibilities

• Conduct proactive street outreach primarily through the Street Medicine Program, but also through the Health Outreach Bus, CTA program, Harold Washington Library outreach, and other community-based locations. Shifts may include evenings, weekends, and varied daytime hours.
• Engage individuals where they are located, build rapport using trauma-informed and harm reduction approaches, and serve as a consistent point of contact.
• Transition individuals from initial outreach engagement into ongoing, intensive housing case management.
• Complete housing assessments, applications, and documentation necessary for housing placement and stabilization.
• Assist clients in obtaining identification, income, benefits, and other documentation required for housing eligibility.
• Provide follow-up support and navigation through housing placement and stabilization processes.
• Conduct and/or support Coordinated Entry System (CES) assessments.
• Serve as (or work toward becoming) a Skilled Assessor within the Coordinated Entry System.
• Maintain strong working knowledge of Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) processes, eligibility requirements, and housing programs.
• Collaborate with housing providers, shelters, healthcare providers, and other community partners to support housing placements.
• Complete accurate and timely data entry in HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) and other required systems (e.g., EHR, ETO).
• Maintain compliant, audit-ready case files in accordance with government, funder, and agency standards.
• Develop and maintain referral relationships with social service agencies and housing providers. Resources should cover key needs presented by OHM participants, including but not limited to emergency and transitional housing, health, mental health, and addiction services.
• Participate in community meetings, needs assessments, case conferencing, and interagency collaborations.
• Drive outreach vans as scheduled.
• Support volunteer engagement and represent the program at community events as assigned.
• Participate in periodic community needs assessments and stay informed about trends impacting people experiencing homelessness in Chicago.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Essential Skills & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in social service or related field required from an accredited college or university, or equivalent experience.
• Two to five years’ experience in housing-focused case management, homelessness services, street outreach, or related field
• Demonstrated experience using HMIS for data entry, reporting, and case documentation.
• Experience with the Coordinated Entry System (CES); Skilled Assessor status strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) programs and housing processes strongly preferred.
• Must have a driver's license with a good driving record and ideally, access to car. Willingness and ability to travel locally, and to drive agency vehicles as scheduled.
• Strong verbal and writing abilities
  
  

Reporting to this position: No direct reports.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; climb stairs; crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally drive an automobile; and lift and/or move 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may vary at the different locations required in this job.
  
  

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

The Night Ministry is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.

At-Will Employment Disclaimer

This job description is not intended to be an employment contract. Employment with The Night Ministry is at will and may be terminated by the employee or the organization at any time, with or without cause or notice.