Social Service Coordinator

The Housing Authority of Jackson County, Illinois ("JCHA") was established in 1946 and the first public housing was constructed in 1960. Since then, JCHA's mission is to provide safe decent, and sanitary housing to low-income families, elderly families, disabled families, and low-income individuals in 6 towns throughout the County.

JCHA seeks a temporary Social Service Coordinator to join the team part-time through May 31, 2026, with hours between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Social Service Coordinators work in various JCHA locations throughout Jackson County. This is an hourly, non-exempt part-time position which is not considered benefit-eligible. The schedule will be set upon hire. Applications will be accepted through February 28, 2025.

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.

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.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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, housing choice vouchers, public housing, finance, and other tenant services.

4. Maintains knowledge of successful national and local efforts to assist low-income families to achieve economic self-sufficiency.

5. Develops and maintains a comprehensive network of education, training, mental health, substance abuse, economic development, and other support services for youth and adults.

6. Coaches program participants, conducts needs assessments, provides referrals to services and training, and helps participants stay on track to achieve their goals.

7. 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.

8. Arranges for education sessions on such topics as tenant rights and responsibilities, elder abuse, aging-in-place, and maintaining independent living.

9. Creates and maintains a directory of available service resources and act as a liaison between participants and providers.

10. Creates and maintains a partnership with the local PCC.

11. Develops and implements new programs and services for tenants and meets objectives as specified in the ROSS Service Coordinator Grant or as required.

12. Identify needs, define clear and measurable goals to address those needs and connect with resources.

13. Documents the participant’s progress and re-evaluate services for adequacy.

14. Assists participants in completing all necessary application and enrollment forms.

15. Has regular contact with participants including in person, by phone, and in writing.

16. Completes paperwork, monthly reports, and case notes accurately and on a timely basis.

17. Creates a departmental budget and monitors the monetary usage for the grant.

18. Proactively develops and promotes self-reliance activities for families including, but not limited to, financial counseling, homeownership, and GED Programs.

19. Seeks out new program funding sources, writes for public and private grants, and works towards program sustainability.

20. Coordinates with other programs and departments as needed to ensure fluid transfer of participants between programs to support tenant progress toward self-sufficiency.

21. Evaluates, using independent judgment, the needs, and gaps in services and works to identify solutions.

22. Assists with monthly Tenant Council meetings and tenant activities.

23. Provides weekly and monthly reports to the Director of Housing Management on progress and areas for improvement.

24. Fundraises for in-kind donations to the program.

25. Attend staff and board meetings as required.

26. Prepare monthly board reports.

27. 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.

28. Reads and responds to emails and team messages during normal business hours.

29. Other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Ability to contribute to a positive work environment and display the same positivity to the program participants, applicants, HCV recipients, and public housing tenants.

2. Knowledge and compliance with Fair Housing and Illinois State Landlord/Tenant Laws and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

3. Proficient computer skills and ability to learn JCHA software systems.

4. Knowledge of Low-Income Public Housing, Housing Choice Vouchers and Rental Assistance Demonstration regulations, with an emphasis on program eligibility and admissions requirements.

5. Strong clerical skills including record keeping, report preparation, filing methods, and records management techniques.

6. Ability to work independently and multi-task on a variety of tasks.

7. Maintain reliable and predictable attendance.

8. Ability to use tact, discretion, initiative, and independent judgment within established guidelines.

9. Ability to apply logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks to understand and communicate complicated policies and procedures.

10. Ability to be a constant professional at work; including professionally dressed, groomed, and speak professionally to clients and other staff.

11. Keep and guard all applicants, tenants and participants’ personal information in a private manner.

12. Establishing and maintaining ethical and cooperative relationships with all those contacted in work.

13. Ability to learn and be trained on complicated policies and procedures.

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

1. There are a number of deadlines associated with this position, which may cause significant stress.

2. Must be able to remain in a stationary position for prolonged periods of time.

3. Occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets and office machinery.

4. Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.

5. Frequently communicates with third parties, applicants, tenants, participants, and co-workers regarding files. Must be able to exchange accurate information.

Education and Experience

1. High School Diploma or equivalent.

2. Three plus (3 ) years of relevant experience preferred.

3. Ability to complete required training courses within one (1) year of hire.

4. 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.

5. Continuously hold an Illinois Driver’s License with an insurable driving record or ability to obtain one (1) within thirty (30) days of hire.

6. 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.

JCHA is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law.

JCHA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact hr@jcha-il.org. You may apply online or applications may be picked up submitted at 300 North 7th Street, Murphysboro, IL 62966.

About Housing Authority of the County of Jackson, Illinois

The Housing Authority of the County of Jackson, Illinois ("JCHA" or "Jackson County Housing Authority") was established in 1946 and the first public housing was constructed in 1960. Since then, JCHA's mission is to provide safe decent, and sanitary housing to low-income families, elderly families, disabled families, and low-income individuals in 6 towns throughout the County. The programs administered by JCHA consist of Public Housing Units, Housing Choice Vouchers, and 12 Multi-Family Housing units.