Resource Specialist in Chicago, Illinois at Franciscan Outreach

FLSA: Salary Non Exempt
40 hours per week

Organizational Summary
Franciscan Outreach is a leading provider of homeless services in Chicago. We operate as a system of support for those who are marginalized and experiencing homelessness. We empower people to gain the stability they need to transition into permanent housing. Grounded in the Franciscan tradition, we serve everyone regardless of their beliefs, and we do not conduct or require participation in religious services. We are committed to working together as an inclusive community that promotes equal treatment and opportunity for all. We strive to create a caring, safe, and supportive community that embraces and uplifts everyone, especially our most vulnerable neighbors.

Position Description
The Resource Specialist is responsible for assisting homeless individuals with placement into shelters. This role requires compassion and understanding of the homeless population of those who may be struggling to decide to enter the shelter. The Resource Specialist will support them with resources and support services, provide guidance, and connect them to placement in a shelter. Must be flexible and have computer skills to navigate general use and learn guest databases. Must have the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Bi-lingual preferred (English/Spanish).

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Engage with homeless individuals to meet their needs via outreach, intake, assessment, goal setting,referral, and follow-up
Assist harder-to-serve homeless individuals with understanding SPARC policies
Provide support to help guests make informed decisions about shelter entry
Conduct an assessment to identify challenges and barriers
Connect guests with resources
Coordinate with shelters as needed/311
Develop, monitor, and complete service plans and goals with guests, motivate and encourage guests to complete service plans and goal
Utilize motivational interviewing and harm reduction strategies to support the movement toward housing stability, increased skills and income, improved health, and achievement of personal goals
Participate in group and/or individual supervision and staff meetings
Participate in training and staff development opportunities
Create a positive, welcoming, safe atmosphere for guests experiencing homelessness, particularly by providing trauma-informed services using a harm reduction philosophy
Various relevant tasks, such as research on community resources and attending provider groups, accompanying guests to the shelter, and any other related duties as assigned
▪ Other duties as assigned

Skills needed
Strong interest in and ability to work closely and respectfully with guests who have experienced homelessness and may be dealing with mental health symptoms, substance use disorders, trauma, physical disabilities, health conditions, etc.
Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of guests in crisis
Self-directed and comfortable working independently, without constant direct supervision, and with a team
Ability to work from a Harm Reduction perspective and provide Trauma-Informed Care
Experience with using Motivational Interviewing preferred
Ability to develop and maintain appropriate boundaries, including maintaining confidentiality
Ability to develop appropriate professional relationships with staff from a wide variety of races, religions, cultures ages, educational backgrounds, sexual orientations, and identified genders
Able to work as a positive supportive team member
Strong oral and written communication skills
Able to gather information from a variety of sources
Ability to use Windows-based computer applications and client database
Ability to consistently maintain required documentation

Skills and Abilities
Self-directed and comfortable working independently, without constant direct supervision, and with a team.
Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with volunteers, staff, partner organizations, guests, etc.
Ability to develop and maintain appropriate boundaries

Other Responsibilities
Ability to develop appropriate professional relationships with staff from a wide variety of races, religions, cultures, ages, educational backgrounds, sexual orientations and identified genders.
Able to gather information from a variety of sources.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and adhere to all ethical standards.
Ability to consistently maintain required documentation.
Ability to use Windows-based computer applications, email, and other technologies to communicate with staff and others and to efficiently complete work assignments
Protects the organization’s value by keeping information confidential
Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks, participating in professional organizations
Performs other duties as assigned; including but not limited to cleaning of office space and common areas, sorting donations, additional reporting, and data entry responsibilities, and facilitating special events
Attendance at staff meetings as required
Attendance at special events as directed by the supervisor

Qualifications
Education (High School Diploma or GED required, bachelor’s degree in social services or related field preferred)
Experience: Five plus year of experience working with people experiencing homelessness, mental health, and substance use disorders preferred
Language: Bi-lingual preferred (English/Spanish)

Additional Requirements:
All staff are expected to abide by the policies of Franciscan Outreach including, but not limited to rules governing ethics, confidentiality, dual relationships, honesty, and integrity. All staff are expected to always act in good faith and in keeping with the mission and values of Franciscan Outreach. Staff must have a commitment to serving the guests of Franciscan Outreach and to contributing to a positive, respectful, and accepting environment.

Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. This description provides a summary of the major duties and responsibilities and is not an exhaustive list of the duties and responsibilities. The employee holding this position may be required to perform additional duties to meet the needs of the organization.

Decisions and criteria governing the employment relationship with all employees are made in a non-discriminatory manner, without regard to race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, citizenship status, military service and/or marital status, order of protection status, handicap, disability, or any other factor determined to be unlawful by federal,
state, or local statutes