Trauma‑Informed Youth Housing Program Manager

The Night Ministry; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Night Ministry in Chicago is seeking a Program Manager for the Youth Flexible Housing Pool (FHP‑Y) to lead a six-member field-based case management team delivering trauma‑informed, harm reduction‑based services to youth emerging from homelessness. You will supervise case managers, ensure referrals and housing subsidies, and oversee program operations in line with funding requirements.

You will collaborate with partners, develop programming to meet youth needs, and support wraparound services

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or counseling, or related field, or significant experience with vulnerable populations.
• 2–5 years case management experience with at-risk youth.
• Minimum 3 years supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated experience working with youth; trauma and LGBTQQIA competent.
• Attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written skills.
• Ability to respond to emergencies quickly and in line with policies.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle access.
• Willingness to adapt schedule including some evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support six-case management team to provide consistent, wraparound services.
• Collaborate with partners to implement program goals and growth.
• Develop community partnerships to support participant goals.
• Supervise and support case managers, including recruitment, training, and performance reviews.
• Monitor data to ensure funding requirements are met.
• Create and implement client case plans aligned with funder scopes.
• Improve program model and service delivery in collaboration with leadership.
• Provide on-call support and field presence as needed.
• Facilitate trainings on trauma-informed care, restorative justice, harm reduction and positive youth development.
• Ensure documentation meets agency and licensing standards; manage data entry.

Skills

Team leadership

Effective communication

Trauma-informed approach

Harm reduction

Independent judgment

Collaboration with partners

Crisis response

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field

Job description

Description

Position Summary:

The Youth Flexible Housing Pool (FHP-Y) Program Manager leads The Night Ministry’s FHP-Y team in delivering innovative, trauma-informed, and harm reduction-based services to young people emerging from homelessness. This role provides supervision and support to case managers, ensures effective referrals to increase participant income, and oversees program operations in alignment with funding requirements. The Program Manager also collaborates with partners and continuously develops programming to best meet youth needs.

General Purpose:

The primary focus of this position is supporting the day-to-day operation and success of a six-member field-based case management team with the goal of providing wraparound services to clients living in scattered-site subsidized housing.

Role Qualifications:

· Ability to communicate effectively across all programs and partners.

· Must meet all governmental, agency and grantors' qualifications for the position.

· Must be able to work independently and in a team.

· Must exhibit independent judgment and sound decision-making ability in a fast-paced work environment.

· Team player and team builder - able to work with all personalities and to maintain cohesion in a diverse environment.

· Must embrace and celebrate diversity among teammates and program participants.

· Awareness and endorsement of Harm Reduction philosophy and trauma-informed approach to services.

· Must be organized, attentive to deadlines, and able to creatively solve problems. Must always act as a representative of The Night Ministry, and be an example to staff, residents, volunteers, and community members.

Position Responsibilities:

· With the director, lead and support TNM's youth Flexible Housing Pool team to provide consistent and comprehensive case management to participants.

· Lead a cooperative team to implement the goals and service philosophy of the youth programs. Assist in the collaborative development and implementation of programming to meet participants' needs.

· Develop partnerships with organizations in the community to support the growth of participants toward their goals.

· Supervise and support YFHP case managers, including recruiting, hiring, training, and performance reviews with support from director.

· Monitor and review program data to ensure funding requirements are being met.

· Facilitate the creation and ongoing implementation of client case plans consistent with funder scopes of services and client needs.

· Collaborate with director to continually develop and improve program model and service delivery.

· Support with monthly vouchering.

· Act as primary contact with CHH's housing and rental payment processing teams to ensure successful delivery of client housing subsidies.

· Act a secondary contact for all clients and landlords to ensure consistent service delivery and provide crisis support.

· Provide on-call support for all case managers in the field and provide direct in-person field support to case managers as needed.

· Participate in all required trainings; regularly facilitate training to ensure staff knowledge and implementation of the broad FHP program goals as well as the principles of trauma-informed care, restorative justice, harm reduction, cultural humility and positive youth development.

· Provide oversight to ensure that all case management documentation meets The Night Ministry, FHP/CHH and all licensing standards, including completing documentation and reports on a timely basis.

· Enter data in ETO, and CaseWorthy as required.

· Collaborate with other management team members to ensure that all programs are implementing the agency's mission and values.

· Participate in agency and program quality improvement activities and initiatives.

· Assist with program audits when needed, representing TNM to auditors and auditing agencies with the director.

· Work with director to collect statistical and anecdotal information for grant supporting purposes and evaluate program effectiveness of services.

· Attend team, agency, and inter-agency meetings as required; assist in representing the program and agency to groups; participate in the agency's public relations and fund-raising activities.

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the responsibilities and qualifications required for this position. It is not an exhaustive list, and duties may change as business needs evolve.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or counseling, or related field, or significant experience in related work with vulnerable populations.

• 2-5 years case management experience with at-risk youth.

• Minimum 3 years supervisory experience.

• Demonstrated experience working with youth; must be trauma and LGBTQQIA competent.

• Attention to detail.

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written skills.

• Ability to respond to emergencies quickly, calmly, and in compliance with Night Ministry policies and procedures.

• Current driver's license, evidence of insurability, and reliable access to a vehicle.

• Willingness to adapt schedule to meet programmatic needs, including some evening and weekend hours.

Reporting to this position:

6 Case Managers.

Physical Demands, Work Environment, & Reasonable Accommodation:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The Night Ministry is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you require accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job or to participate in the application or hiring process, please contact the People & Culture team.

· 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. This role may require additional hours, sometimes weekends, during certain busy seasons. Employees may also encounter conditions inherent to working with individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, and/or substance use — including unpredictable situations, potential exposure to communicable illness, and other environmental hazards. The Night Ministry takes reasonable precautions and provides training and support, though some level of risk cannot be fully eliminated.

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.