Find & Apply For Program Manager Jobs in Homewood, Illinois

Job Summary:

The Program Support Specialist serves as the first point of contact for clients, visitors, volunteers, community partners, and staff at South Suburban PADS. This position provides administrative, program, and facility support to ensure smooth daily operations and a safe, welcoming environment for all. The individual in this role may assist with client check-in, monitor facility activity, enforce safety protocols, inventory supplies, and support program staff in delivering essential services to individuals experiencing homelessness. Job Responsibilities Client and Front Desk Support

• Welcome and check in clients, visitors, volunteers, and community partners in a courteous, professional, respectful, and trauma-informed manner.
• Answer incoming telephone calls, route calls appropriately, and respond to general inquiries regarding SSPADS programs, services, and resources.
• Provide clients, visitors, and community partners with accurate information about SSPADS programs, services, eligibility requirements, and how to access available resources.
• Assist clients with intake and registration processes, including collecting required information and verifying documentation in accordance with SSPADS procedures.
• Assist clients with completing forms, applications, releases, and other program-related paperwork.
• Assist with shelter placement, waitlist management, and client flow under the direction of appropriate program staff.
• Provide clients with information regarding available community resources, including transportation, meals, showers, clothing, housing resources, and other supportive services.
• Assist with coordinating referrals to internal SSPADS programs and external community resources as directed by program staff.
• Provide reminders to clients regarding appointments, program requirements, meetings, and scheduled services.
• Communicate changes in shelter capacity, client status, program availability, or other relevant information to appropriate program staff.
• Monitor lobby and waiting areas to promote a safe, orderly, welcoming, and supportive environment.
• Document and report client concerns, incidents, questions, or feedback to appropriate program staff for follow-up.
• Support volunteers and other staff with client-facing activities, including client sign-in, information distribution, and community or program events.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with SSPADS policies and procedures regarding client privacy, records, and data protection.

Program and Administrative Support Support case managers and program staff with administrative tasks as needed. Schedule appointments, meetings, and coordinate with internal departments as needed. Maintain accurate records of client activity, sign-in sheets, and incident reports. Assist with daily operational needs such as mail distribution, supply ordering, and inventory tracking. Check clients in on the shelter wait-list. Donation, In-Kind and Volunteer Support Receive and greet individuals, organizations, churches, businesses, and community partners delivering donations during designated donation hours. Ensure donation paperwork is correctly completed and routed. Assist with greeting and checking in volunteers upon arrival. Maintain an accurate volunteer sign-in sheet. Direct donors to the Volunteer Engagement Manager when donations require approval, special handling, transportation, storage, or additional documentation. Assist with organizing donated items in designated storage areas and maintaining an orderly donation receiving area. Notify the Volunteer Engagement Manager or appropriate department when donations are received. Assist with preparing donated items for distribution to clients or program departments as directed. Facility and Safety Monitoring Monitor entry and exit points to ensure only authorized individuals enter the building. Maintain awareness of activities within the lobby and common areas to promote a safe and respectful environment. Report safety or maintenance concerns to the appropriate supervisor promptly. De-escalate conflicts or disruptive behavior in accordance with SSPADS safety and trauma-informed care policies. Assist in emergency procedures, including fire drills, shelter-in-place, or evacuation as directed. Mail and Package Management Receive, sort, and distribute incoming mail and packages for clients. Maintain accurate logs for client mail and packages to ensure proper tracking and accountability. Assist clients and staff in sending outgoing mail or small packages when needed. Retrieve mail from the agency post office box daily Distribution of Basic Needs Items Provide clients with essential supplies as needed according to agency policies. Maintain inventory of basic needs items, restock supplies as needed, and report shortages to program management. Pack supply kits Track distribution of supplies Qualifications and Requirements Education High school diploma or GED required; Associate degree or higher in human services, social work, or a related field preferred. Qualifications and experience may include lived expertise, and applicants with such experience are strongly encouraged to apply. Skills & Competencies Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills with the ability to mediate, negotiate, and resolve conflicts effectively. Strong organizational, time management, and attention-to-detail skills. Ability to maintain confidentiality with professionalism and discretion. Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team and maintain professionalism under pressure. Comfortable in a fast-paced, crisis-driven, and team-oriented environment. This position requires full-time (40 hours/week) on-site presence and may include occasional evening or weekend hours. Commitment to the mission of South Suburban PADS and to serving individuals with compassion and respect.

• Basic computer proficiency (Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and database entry).
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.

Experience :

• Minimum one year of experience in a customer service, administrative, or social services setting preferred; prior experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness strongly preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a commitment to treating all individuals with dignity and respect.
• Ability to maintain professionalism in a fast-paced and sometimes emotionally challenging environment.
• Knowledge of or sensitivity to issues related to homelessness, poverty, and trauma-informed care.
• Experience with client intake or administrative support in human services settings.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care principles, mental health, and substance use disorders.
• Experience working with diverse populations and applying cultural humility in service delivery.

Language :

English required; bilingual (English and Spanish) strongly preferred. Other Responsibilities Perform other duties as assigned. Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required

• Must be able to sit or stand for extended periods and lift up to 25 pounds, as needed.

South Suburban PADS is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization with a mission to prevent and end homelessness in the south suburbs of Chicago. Over the past 34 years, we have provided 730,540 nights of shelter and 2.1 million meals to enable 20,659 people to overcome homelessness. In addition, SSPADS provides affordable housing opportunities to over 400 people per year. SSPADS is the proud recipient of a 2024 Award from MacKenzie Scott's Yield Giving Open Call, 2019 Good Neighbor Award from the National Association of REALTORS, and the 2018 Bank of America Neighborhood Builders Award. More at sspads.org SSPADS adheres to the employment policy of providing equal opportunities to all job applicants and employees regardless of ethnicity, race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability or sexual orientation.

Pay:

$20.00 - $22.00 per hour Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

Dental insurance Employee assistance program Flexible spending account Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person