Contact Center Associate

Housing-Authority-of-Cook-Count; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The Housing Authority of Cook County is seeking a Contact Center Associate to be the first point of contact for participants, applicants, landlords, and the public. This hybrid role handles high volumes of inquiries and blends housing program guidance with basic IT service desk intake.

Responsibilities include documenting interactions, following HUD and internal policies, routing complex questions, and delivering courteous, empathetic service while maintaining data accuracy and confidentiality.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 1–3 years of experience in customer service or call center operations.
• Basic understanding of IT environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist external stakeholders and internal staff via omni-channel inquiries.
• Document interactions and outcomes in agency systems.
• Route complex inquiries to appropriate departments.
• Provide courteous, professional service and empathy.
• Maintain data accuracy and confidentiality.

Skills

Empathetic customer service

Verbal communication

Written communication

Technical aptitude

Time management

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

IT ticketing software

Housing database platforms

Job description

The Contact Center Associate serves as the universal first point of contact for external stakeholders (participants, applicants, landlords, and the public) and internal agency staff. This hybrid role manages a high volume of omni-channel inquiries, seamlessly blending responsive public housing customer service with basic internal IT service desk intake and triage. Whether assisting a citizen navigating housing assistance or helping an internal employee log a technical blocker, this position is critical to maintaining operational continuity, data accuracy, and exceptional service delivery across the agency.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Participant and Public Support

• Manage and resolve high-volume inquiries from participants, applicants, landlords, and the general public regarding housing programs.
• Provide accurate guidance on housing assistance eligibility, application processes, and available resources.

Data Integrity & Compliance

• Document all interactions, call outcomes, and technical tickets comprehensively and accurately within the appropriate system of record.
• Adhere strictly to contact center protocols, HUD compliance regulations, and internal IT data security policies.

Inquiry Resolution and Call Management

• Respond to participant inquiries regarding program processes, case status updates, and agency policies.
• Document inquiry details, inquiries, and outcomes in the agency’s systems.
• Route complex or case-specific inquiries to the appropriate department or staff member.

Customer Service and Participant Experience

• Provide courteous, respectful, and professional service to all callers.
• Demonstrate empathy and patience when assisting individuals experiencing housing instability or challenging circumstances.

Administrative Support

• Maintain accurate service requests and documentation.
• Support agency communication efforts by directing callers to appropriate forms, websites, or departments.

Compliance and Confidentiality

• Protect the confidentiality of participant information in accordance with agency policies and applicable regulations.
• Adhere to Housing Authority procedures, HUD regulations, and internal service standards.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong empathetic customer service and professional verbal/written communication skills and technical aptitude with the ability to quickly learn and adapt to housing database platforms and IT ticketing software.
• Ability to strictly follow standardized technical troubleshooting trees, workflows, and communications scripts.
• Ability to navigate multiple systems and databases while assisting callers.
• Manage time worked effectively.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• One (1) to three (3) years of experience in customer service, call center operations, public service, or help desk intake.
• Basic conceptual understanding of IT environments (e.g., user accounts, hardware peripherals, web applications) is highly preferred.

This job description is subject to change and in no manner states or implies that these are the only duties and responsibilities to be performed. The qualifications listed above are guidelines, other combinations of education and experience that could provide the