Housing and Benefits Specialist (Front Door Diversion Team) - Futureshaper.com : Job Details

Description

About Envision Unlimited:Founded in 1948 in Chicago, Envision Unlimited provides a full spectrum of care for individuals with disabilities—ranging in age from infancy to 80+. We serve all individuals regardless of race, gender, religion, or ability to pay. Our innovative services span Chicagoland and Central Illinois and include community living, day programs, behavioral health, employment services, family respite, and foster care. Our innovative services span Chicagoland and Central Illinois and include community living, day programs, behavioral health, employment services, family respite, foster care and Supportive Housing.

Learn more at: www.envisionunlimited.org

We are hiring a mission-driven Housing and Benefits Specialist to join our Front Door Diversion Team. This role focuses on helping individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness avoid unnecessary shelter stays by quickly connecting them to housing resources, income supports, and public benefits.

As a key member of our multidisciplinary team, you'll work closely with individuals facing housing instability—many of whom also live with serious mental illness or other complex needs—to assess eligibility and coordinate access to services such as SSI/SSDI, Medicaid, SNAP, and state-based housing programs. You'll serve as both advocate and navigator, helping clients overcome systemic barriers and secure long-term stability by assisting them with applying for benefits and securing housing permanent supportive housing.

What We're Looking For:

• Experience working with vulnerable populations, including those with behavioral health needs, justice involvement, or chronic homelessness.
• Ability to build rapport with clients who may be in crisis, distrustful of systems, or facing multiple barriers.
• Strong advocacy skills to help clients access services and overcome bureaucratic obstacles.
• Culturally competent and trauma-informed approach.
• Excellent case coordination, documentation, and communication skills.

This is a great opportunity to make a real impact by reducing shelter entries and helping clients access the housing and benefits they need to thrive.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

No supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

Education, Skills & Experience:

• A Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Public Administration, or a related field is required.
• Master's degree (e.g., MSW, MFT, MHC) preferred for higher-level engagement or clinical support roles
• Experience with outreach, case management, or crisis intervention is highly desirable

Envision Unlimited provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Envision Unlimited offers competitive salaries and a generous benefit package to our professionals:

Compensation & Benefits:

• Base Salary: $50,000 per year + additional quarterly productivity bonuses
• Paid Time Off: 11 Vacation days, 12 Holidays days, 3 sick days, 3 personal days
• Illinois Paid Leave: 40 hours (accrued)
• Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement: 403(b) plan
• Additional Benefits:
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Mileage reimbursement
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility
  • Cell phone reimbursement (or use of company phone)
  • Free clinical supervision for licensure (LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC)
  • Reimbursement for professional licensure and renewal fees
  • Include boutiques of voluntary benefits.
  • Cell phone allowance as well as annual tuition assistance.