Program Specialist (Direct Service)

**NEW HOURLY PAY INCREASE***

The Night Ministry of Chicago, IL is looking to hire Full-time or Part-time Program Specialists to work at five homeless shelters including The Crib on Ashland, the Open Door Shelter & Parenting with a Purpose on Noble in West Town or Pathways transitional living program on Avers Ave. Do you want to help a respected nonprofit organization accomplish its mission of serving people in your community who are struggling with poverty and homelessness? Do you want to work for an organization that truly values its employees? If so, please read on!

This Program Specialist position working with homeless youth starts at $19.00 which equates to a yearly salary of $40,000 plus benefits of which we pay 80%/90% of the premiums, a 401(k) after one year with a 3% match, 9 paid holidays, accrued vacation time at 1.5 days per pay period, a holiday bonus, and professional on-the-job training. If this sounds like the opportunity for you to build a career while fighting homelessness, apply today!

ABOUT THE NIGHT MINISTRY

With open hearts and minds, we provide housing, healthcare, spiritual care, social services, and human connection to members of the Chicago community who are struggling with poverty and homelessness. We accept people as they are and work to address their immediate physical, emotional, and social needs while affirming their sense of humanity. We were founded when a coalition of diverse North Side congregations hired Rev. Tom Behrens to reach out to people where they gathered at night due to isolation, despair, and homelessness. From those humble beginnings over 40 years ago when Tom's first office was the trunk of his car, we have grown to a financially sound nonprofit that provides numerous award-winning services to the most vulnerable in our community.

Although not all employees are involved in Direct Services, everyone is dedicated to the mission of The Night Ministry, believes in its core values, and knows that their work is highly valued. We strive to be the best employer possible, providing our employees with a mission-driven work atmosphere that is both focused and fun as well as a benefits package that we feel is one of the best in the industry.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A PROGRAM SPECIALIST

As a full-time or part-time Program Specialist at one of four homeless shelters, you are responsible for the day-to-day care of youth, ages 14-21, and their children. You help maintain a safe and secure environment and put everyone at ease with your calm, confident demeanor. The youth look up to you, and you enjoy interacting with them and their children. As a team player, you also work well with your fellow staff to facilitate a positive, constructive environment. You keep logs and records up-to-date and accurate, filling staff in as they come on duty.

With a welcoming smile, you greet new residents on their day of arrival. You do their initial intakes, complete all paperwork, give tours, and distribute linens and hygiene materials. You also supervise and dispense medications according to doctor's orders, ensuring ingestion, secure storage, and proper documentation. With a respectful and upbeat attitude, you direct and assist residents with basic life skills development for themselves and their children, such as personal hygiene, cleaning, cooking, laundry, and childcare. You also arrange and/or provide transportation to their various appointments and activities.

You react quickly and exhibit good judgment during emergencies or stressful situations. Maintaining your professional boundaries as well as the house rules, you are kind but firm. Through your attitude, behavior, and appearance, you are a positive role model for our residents. You ensure residents' safety and well-being at all times and report incidents promptly to the appropriate authorities. With the resident's best interests in mind, you are always looking for ways to improve our operations. You get great satisfaction out of making a positive impact in the lives of at-risk youth and their children.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR A PROGRAM SPECIALIST

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 25 years old or older
• 1-3 years of experience in youth services and RECENT experience serving at-risk youth (volunteer experience counts!)
• Crisis intervention training
• Understanding of the needs of adolescents
• Ability to pass DCFS licensing requirements including a background screening
• Current driver's license and proof of insurance
• First aid/CPR certification
• Heart for those struggling with homelessness
• Employees must meet mandatory vaccination requirements as set forth by the State of Illinois.

Do you have excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to interact comfortably with diverse populations? Are you tolerant, calm, patient, and flexible? Can you be consistent, fair, and firm? Are you empathetic but also able to maintain professional boundaries? If so, you might just be perfect for this part-time or full-time Program Specialist with our nonprofit.

There are various full-time and part-time positions available.

READY TO JOIN IN OUR FIGHT AGAINST HOMELESSNESS?

If you feel that you would be right for this part-time or full-time Program Specialist position working day shifts, swing shifts, or graveyard, please fill out our initial 3-minute, mobile-friendly application.

We look forward to meeting you

**Phone Calls Not Accepted**

The Night Ministry is committed to racial equity in its services, its organizational structure, and its policies and procedures. Given that the majority of those whom The Night Ministry serves and the majority of our staff are people of color, it is imperative that we center racial equity in our day-to-day operations as well as in our strategic planning, and take deliberate and thoughtful action to become an anti-racist organization.

Through this work, we will identify and dismantle institutional racism that exists within our organization. We will empower staff, clients, and partners with the tools and support to disrupt white supremacy within the confines of the agency and within the spheres in which we operate. We commit to the ongoing, collective assessment of where we are as an organization and where we want to be while formulating and taking the necessary steps to get there. We call upon all members of our community, from staff, volunteers, and supporters to our clients, to engage with us on our commitment to anti-racism.