Housekeeping Specialist

For nearly 40 years, Connections for the Homeless has served and catalyzed our community to end homelessness, one person at a time. Each year we provide eviction prevention, shelter, and housing services to 4,000 people from across north suburban Cook County. Beyond providing direct services we also operate a robust advocacy and community organizing program to address the root causes of homelessness. The COVID pandemic accelerated our growth in the depth and breadth of services we offer and the organizational infrastructure to sustain this highly impactful organization. Connections is a radically reshaped organization deeply committed to demonstrating our core values in all relationships with participants, colleagues, donors, partners, and volunteers.

Join our dedicated team at Connections for the Homeless, where we blend a commitment to making a difference with a competitive rewards package. Our full-time employees enjoy a range of benefits, consciously crafted through an equitable lens, to support their well-being and professional growth.

At Connections for the Homeless, we recognize that supporting our employees is essential in achieving our mission. We are ready to invest in you as you make a difference in our community. We can't wait for you to join us!

Position Summary: The Housekeeping Specialist supports the overall operations of the agency’s Shelter, located at the Margarita Inn. A weekly snapshot will primarily consist of bed linen changes and bathroom cleaning in Participant rooms, laundry of bed linens and Participant clothing, general cleaning in common areas, and deep cleaning vacant rooms. The ideal candidate can safely lift and position up to 25 pounds. The job entails bending, kneeling and reaching, often in awkward or tiring positions. This individual is adaptable in a fast-paced atmosphere, works well in a team environment, and thrives on responsibilities that sustain a safe, well organized, growth-oriented, effective, and efficient operation.

Participant Rooms (30%)

• Perform weekly changes of bed linens in all Participant rooms

• Perform basic cleaning in all Participant bathrooms

• Vacuum Participant rooms, when possible, during weekly cleaning

• Assist with additional cleaning in Participant rooms, as requested by Shelter Management

Laundry (30%)

• Wash, dry and fold bed linens

• Inspect for and separate soiled bed linens

• Maintain an inventory of all bed linens

• Wash and dry Participant laundry according to weekly schedule

• Fold Participant laundry, as requested by Shelter Management

Common Areas + Offices (15%)

• Perform daily cleaning in all common areas (ie. bathrooms, hallways, stairs, entrances) including, but not limited to, vacuuming, mopping, dusting, and properly disposing of garbage and recycling

• Perform daily cleaning in all office areas (ie. bathrooms, hallways, stairs, entrances) including, but not limited to, vacuuming, mopping, dusting, and properly disposing of garbage and recycling

• Perform additional ongoing cleaning in non-Participant room areas as directed by the Operations manager

Deep Cleaning (15%)

• Perform thorough cleaning of Participant rooms after being vacated including, but not limited to, washing walls, dusting furniture, scrubbing bath/shower, disposing of garbage

• Prepare room for arrival of new Participant with new bed linens

Teamwork (10%)

• Maintain a “team first” outlook, supporting the success of the team and the mission in attitude, ideas, and actions

• Develop and maintain strong and professional relationships with fellow Staff, as well as Participants and Volunteers through effective, and cross-functional, communication and collaboration Knowledge, Skills + Abilities

• Understanding of cleaning processes and procedures to maintain a safe and healthy environment

• Demonstrate initiative represented by a sense of urgency, energy, enthusiasm, attention to detail, and follow up

• Exceptional work ethic, arriving on time and prepared to all assigned shifts, and track record of personal initiative and achievement

• Quick, sound, and decisive decision-maker in rapidly changing conditions; anticipating, addressing, and solving problems

Position Requirements

• Minimum of one year of professional experience in a housekeeping position

• High school diploma or equivalent experience

• Driver’s License and a good driving record for past 3 years

• Availability to work on call as needed

• Ability to safely lift and move up to 25 pounds. The job entails bending, kneeling and reaching, often in awkward or tiring positions.

• Able to work independently and with diverse populations through effective speaking, writing, and interpersonal skills

• Adhere to the Core Values and Code of Conduct for Connections for the Homeless

• Must submit to a criminal background check and submit to, or provide evidence of, a recent test for tuberculosis

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $17.00 per hour

Expected hours: 30 – 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Shift:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: In person