Do you want to use your skills and talents to make a lasting difference in the world? At Catholic Charities Diocese, of Joliet we are mission-driven, focused on positive results for people and believe that people should be treated with dignity and respect. If you feel the same way we encourage you to join us in making a difference!

If you desire a better work/life balance and can work in a fast paced environment with excellent growth potential, we would like to hear from you.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Operates as a member of the Community Services Team providing intake, screening, assessment, case planning, counseling, consultation, training, crisis intervention and case management services to DuPage County residents in housing crisis.
• Other duties as assigned within the guidelines of this position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provides screening, assessment, case planning, counseling, and case management services to families in Transitional Housing Program (THP) and Permanent Supportive Housing Program (PSHP).
• Assists, as needed with providing services to families identified as being at risk of homelessness.
• Prepares and maintains accurate confidential case records, contractual paperwork, status reports, and fiscal recording as required by various funders and the Council on Accreditation (COA). This includes but is not limited to updated case notes and individualized service plans which are updated minimally each quarter.
• Provides training, guidance, and information in the areas of family systems theory, interpersonal functioning, and principles of helping and community resources to volunteer mentors and other associates.
• Conducts regular unit and home visits, providing oversight of family and apartment maintenance needs.
• Provides community education, development, networking, and recruitment activities on behalf of Transitional Housing and Permanent Supportive Housing, as well as other development activities of the Community Services, North area.
• Assist in grant writing and contract proposals re: housing development as assigned.
• Represents Catholic Charities to local, state, and national organizations as assigned.
• Participates in all Division staff meetings and coordinated programming as scheduled.
• Proficiency utilizing Microsoft Office applications in order to enter or retrieve program statistical data, particularly as it relates to the County’s Homeless Management Information System HMIS) Service Point system.
• Assists in the ongoing training of volunteer mentors that work with homeless families in the Transitional Housing and Permanent Supportive Housing Programs.
• Ongoing monitoring of client’s progress toward becoming independent and self-sufficient.
• Conducts regularly scheduled home visits and works with Case Management Supervisor to resolve any barriers to completing and minimum of one home visit per month.
• Conducts monthly unit inspections to ensure that property is being maintained according to generally accepted housing standards.
• Demonstrates ability to make sound judgments, provide crisis intervention, appropriate referrals, and appropriate client services.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with a multi-disciplinary team, including volunteers.
• Knowledgeable of community resources and has ability to provide advocacy and linkage for clients who are in need of community resources.
• Teaches families to advocate for themselves and to use community resources more effectively.
• Empowers families to achieve their goals and direct their own lives.
• Provides direct oversight and coordination of services related to client budget and rent payment needs.
• Works with clients and housing Resource Specialist to identify and address each family’s housing related needs and issues.

• Bachelor’s Degree in a Social Work or equivalent field. All degrees must come from a regionally accredited educational institution which has U.S. Department of Education approval.
• Understanding and promoting the social teachings of Catholic Charities.
• Appropriate experience in working with families.
• Ability to participate in work related activities outside of normal working hours.
• At least one year of related “field” experience is required.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and constructively with persons from all ethnic, racial and social backgrounds.
• Substance Abuse background preferred.
• Proficiency utilizing Microsoft Office applications.
• Passage of complete background clearance, physical and Tuberculosis (TB) Test.
• A valid driver’s license, reliable means of transportation and proof of liability insurance is required.