Social Services Coordinator

Housing Authority of County of Jackson, Illinois; Murphysboro (IL); On-site; USD 22,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

Housing Authority of County of Jackson, Illinois is seeking a part-time Social Service Coordinator to lead the Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency (ROSS) and CORE programs. The role involves coordinating community resources to empower tenants and advance self-sufficiency, with HUD-grant funding that may renew every three years.

The Coordinator will develop partnerships, track outcomes, and report progress to the Executive Director, ensuring compliance with HUD and local regulations.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
• 3+ years of relevant experience preferred.
• 2 years of experience with affordable housing or public housing programs preferred.
• Illinois Driver’s License with insurable driving record required/preferred.
• Drug-Free Workplace policy and background check required.
• Complete required training within one year of hire.

Responsibilities

• Plan, implement, and evaluate programs under ROSS; coordinate services with community resources.
• Maintain data and prepare reports for HUD, Housing Authority, and partners.
• Serve as liaison among departments to align goals with ROSS program.
• Develop and maintain partnerships to leverage resources for program participants.
• Document progress, assess needs, and adjust services to meet goals.
• Attend staff and board meetings and prepare monthly reports.

Skills

Public housing knowledge

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Analytical thinking

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Illinois Driver’s License

Job description

Position Summary

The Social Service Coordinator is responsible for the development of the Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency (ROSS), and CORE programs. This position is funded by a grant from HUD which maybe eligible to renew every three years.

Social Service Coordinator

Position Summary

The Social Service Coordinator is responsible for the development of the Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency (ROSS), and CORE programs. This position is funded by a grant from HUD which maybe eligible to renew every three years.

The Social Service Coordinator assesses the needs of tenants and coordinates available resources in the community to meet those needs. The Coordinator works to promote the development of local strategies to coordinate the use of assistance under the Public Housing program with public and private resources, for supportive services and tenant empowerment activities. These services enable participating families to increase earned income, reduce or eliminate the need for welfare assistance, make progress toward achieving economic independence and housing self-sufficiency, or, in the case of elderly or disabled residents, help improve living conditions and enable residents to age-in-place.

The Social Service Coordinator plans, develops, and implements programs and services for tenants in tandem with the other Social Service Coordinator. The Coordinator connects participants with needed resources, work with existing partners, and establishes new partnerships to leverage additional resources and opportunities for the program participants.

The Social Service Coordinator takes direction from the Executive Director in conformance with the Jackson County Housing Authority policies and procedures, HUD, and any and all applicable local, state, and federal regulations. The duties listed below illustrate the various types of work performed. The omission of specific statements regarding duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment in association with this position.

Major Duties And Responsibilities

• Plans, implements, directs, and evaluates the ROSS program in accordance with regulations promulgated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and policies set by the Jackson County Housing Authority.
• Maintains data regarding the ROSS Program services and accomplishments and prepares reports summarizing the service data for use by the Housing Authority and Department of Housing and Urban Development and the community of service providers assisting with the delivery of services. Uses report data to apply for funding opportunities and grant renewal.
• Serves as liaison among and between related departments with the Housing Authority whose goals and daily work product relates to the ROSS program including, but not limited to, public housing, finance, and other tenant services.
• Maintains knowledge of successful national and local efforts to assist low-income families to achieve economic self-sufficiency.
• Develops and maintains a comprehensive network of education, training, mental health, substance abuse, economic development, and other support services for youth and adults.
• Coaches program participants, conducts needs assessments, provides referrals to services and training, and helps participants stay on track to achieve their goals.
• Coordinates referrals to and/or provide on-site supportive services for participants including, but not limited to, mental health, GED programs, employment workshops, financial education, and substance abuse with appropriate community agencies.
• Arranges for education sessions on such topics as tenant rights and responsibilities, elder abuse, aging-in-place, and maintaining independent living.
• Creates and maintains a directory of available service resources and act as a liaison between participants and providers.
• Creates and maintains a partnership with the local PCC.
• Develops and implements new programs and services for tenants and meets objectives as specified in the ROSS Service Coordinator Grant or as required.
• Identify needs, define clear and measurable goals to address those needs and connect with resources.
• Documents the participant’s progress and re-evaluate services for adequacy.
• Assists participants in completing all necessary application and enrollment forms.
• Has regular contact with participants including in person, by phone, and in writing.
• Completes paperwork, monthly reports, and case notes accurately and on a timely basis.
• Creates a departmental budget and monitors the monetary usage for the grant.
• Proactively develops and promotes self-reliance activities for families including, but not limited to, financial counseling, homeownership, and GED Programs.
• Seeks out new program funding sources, in-kind donations, writes for public and private grants, and works towards program sustainability.
• Coordinates with other programs and departments as needed to ensure fluid transfer of participants between programs to support tenant progress toward self-sufficiency.
• Evaluates, using independent judgment, the needs, and gaps in services and works to identify solutions.
• Assists with monthly Tenant Council meetings and tenant activities.
• Provides monthly reports to the Executive Director on progress and areas for improvement.
• Attend staff and board meetings as required.
• Prepare monthly board reports.
• Documents and investigates complaints of program abuse and fraud, and takes appropriate action in such cases, per agency policies and procedures with accuracy and efficiency.
• Reads and responds to emails and team messages during normal business hours.
• Other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to contribute to a positive work environment and display the same positivity to the program participants, applicants, HCV recipients, and public housing tenants.
• Knowledge and compliance with Fair Housing and Illinois State Landlord/Tenant Laws and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
• Proficient computer skills and ability to learn JCHA software systems.
• Knowledge of Low-Income Public Housing, Housing Choice Vouchers and Rental Assistance Demonstration regulations, with an emphasis on program eligibility and admissions requirements.
• Strong clerical skills including record keeping, report preparation, filing methods, and records management techniques.
• Ability to work independently and multi-task on a variety of tasks.
• Maintain reliable and predictable attendance.
• Ability to use tact, discretion, initiative, and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Ability to apply logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks to understand and communicate complicated policies and procedures.
• Ability to be a constant professional at work; including professionally dressed, groomed, and speak professionally to clients and other staff.
• Keep and guard all applicants, tenants and participants’ personal information in a private manner.
• Establishing and maintaining ethical and cooperative relationships with all those contacted in work.
• Ability to learn and be trained on complicated policies and procedures.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirement (with or without reasonable accommodation)

• There are a number of deadlines associated with this position, which may cause significant stress.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for prolonged periods of time.
• Occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets and office machinery.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
• Frequently communicates with third parties, applicants, tenants, participants, and co-workers regarding files. Must be able to exchange accurate information.

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Three plus (3+) years of relevant experience preferred.
• Ability to complete required training courses within one (1) year of hire.
• Two (2) years of experience with affordable housing or assisted housing programs and demonstrated skills in low-income compliance or two (2) years of experience in the administration of a Public Housing Authority in its daily operations and activities strongly preferred.
• Continuously hold an Illinois Driver’s License with an insurable driving record or ability to obtain one (1) within thirty (30) days of hire.
• The JCHA is a Drug-Free Workplace where post-offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for drugs and alcohol when criteria are met as outlined in the JCHA’s policies.
• Complete a post offer, pre-employment physical and background check.

Job Status and Classification

• Part-time, not benefits eligible
• $16.00 to $18.00 per hour
• Up to 32 hours per week
• Hourly, non-exempt