Supportive Services Coordinator

Position Title: Supportive Services Coordinator
Supervisor: Director of Moving to Work (MTW)
Position Status: Non-Exempt
Supervision Exercised: None
Date: September 2022

Position Summary/Objectives
Under the direct supervision of the Director of MTW, the Supportive Services Coordinator provides technical and case management support to applicants/participants in the different components of housing programs administered by the Housing Authority of Champaign County (HACC). The Supportive Services Coordinator is to facilitate and coordinate services for applicant/participant families who are identified as eligible for specialized services by the funding source. The concept of "wrap-around" services is to guide the work of this position by completing the appropriate paperwork to obtain and/or sustain stable housing, provide housing search assistance, coordinate financial, legal, or other supports to maintain housing, and work with landlords through and beyond the lease-up process.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop supportive, professional relationships with applicant/participant families and empower them to capably search for, obtain, and maintain quality homes in communities within Champaign County.
• Monitor participant compliance with special program guidelines.
• Collect and provide information about community support services that will enable self-sufficiency.
• Develop individualized action plans to assist with sensitive or complex issues that may impede them from attaining the goal of finding and keeping stable, qualify housing. Such issues may include mental or physical health, employment, education, childcare, transportation, and other barriers to self-sufficiency.
• Collaborate with partners in identifying and providing referrals to community resources and services to help resolve problems and achieve the objectives of the special program in which they are a participant.
• Performs all required procedures necessary to disburse any applicable financial supports.
• Attend briefings for applicants/participants who are in a housing search that will focus on fair housing information and program compliance, as well as strategies on approaching and talking with owners, selecting a suitable unit, understanding the lease agreement, and the renters' rights and responsibilities under the lease agreement.
• Aid participants in their search for housing by connecting them to housing search resources, supporting their selection of a unit, and meeting with property owners and participants to promote understanding and advocacy for the program in which they are a participant.
• Meet with participants as needed to connect participants with available resources. 
• Play an integral part in maintaining good owner relations and ensuring an ongoing supply of owner-participants by mediating owner/participant conflicts to reach a purposeful and satisfactory conclusion.
• Manage regulatory and Authority requirements. Apply and comply with project-specific procedures which differ from "standard" housing choice vouchers.
• Protect the integrity of participant and program information; keep participant, owner, and program records and work areas well organized; and maintain historical and reference data in agency software or any other relevant computer database.
• Create, use, and maintain a system to track and measure participant and program progress, maintain comprehensive documentation, and create required and requested reports for management assessment of the program.
• Identify trends and participant housing outcomes through designated special program data tracking tools.
• Additional duties as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills. and Abilities Required

• Ability to assess needs and develop case plans while working in collaboration with low-income families.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse cultural, social, and economic client base that has varying issues and challenges.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including a positive and professional attitude.
• Ability to analyze, identify, and solve problems.
• Ability to work effectively under tight deadlines and external constraints.
• Contributing effectively to the accomplishment of team or agency goals, objectives and activities.
• Ability to work independently and fully execute assignments without intensive supervision.
• Demonstrated proficiency in utilizing current office technology and software applications.
• Ability to manage and resolve conflict. 

Minimum Requirements 

• Bachelor's Degree in social services or a related field.
• Preferred experience of 2 to 5 years of social service-related experience to include experience working with low-income individuals and/or families and developing case plans collaboratively with low-income families that will address and remove barriers to self-sufficiency and stable housing.
• Must always possess own vehicle, a valid Illinois driver's license, and appropriate automobile insurance.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, when required, evenings and weekends, as needed.