We are hiring

Summer staff help maintain the Ujima Community Garden

Learn more about OUR OPEN positions:

Housing Counselor

Summary:

The Housing Counselor (HC) position is part-time (20-30 hours per week) and works with other GPCC housing staff and interns. The HC’s duties include returning hotline calls, working with walk-in clients, and working with GPCC staff to create educational training for tenants, homeowners, and housing providers. Finally, work with housing partners to improve housing conditions on the West Side of Chicago. Pay is $20 - $25/hour, depending on experience.

Job Description

Primary Responsibilities:

- Crisis Intervention: Respond to incoming calls, texts, and walk-ins from individuals experiencing a housing crisis. The counselor assesses the situation and provides immediate support and intervention.

- Active Listening and Empathy: Counselor must demonstrate empathy and maintain a non-judgmental attitude while assisting clients.

- Identify and connect clients with appropriate community resources including rental, legal, unhoused, and housing provider assistance.

- Accurately document all client interactions, including the nature of the housing issue, interventions provided and referrals made. The data is required by the City of Chicago.

- Follow-up: Conduct follow-up calls to ensure clients’ safety and continued support after the initial contact.

Work Environment: Calls typically operate in the morning hours and require staff to work a morning shift in the office. Flexibility in scheduling is often necessary due to call volume and events in the evenings and weekends.

Team Collaboration: The counselor works as part of the housing team and may participate in regular training sessions to enhance their skills.

Reporting:

1. Maintain records, monthly outcome reports, and files for each contact.

2. Create a monthly program story

3. Provide weekly report to GPCC housing staff of activities

4. Prepare or assist in preparing City monthly reports

QUALIFICATIONS:

– Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently as well as to work

collaboratively in teams.

– Must have experience, ability, and desire to work with racially and culturally

diverse communities.

– Must have computer knowledge of computer programs (Word, Excel, Zoom, etc.)

– Must have strong organizational skills and ability to work days and evenings.

– Have excellent communication skills both public speaking and written.

– Bilingual Spanish skills preferred

To Apply:

Please send your resume and cover letter to admin@gpcommunitycouncil.org

The Garfield Park Community Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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