Part Time Community Navigator (Chicago, IL)

Ounce of Care•Chicago, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Ounce Community Navigators are key members of the team and serve as Ounce’s face within affordable housing communities. They work directly with residents, housing and community partners, and the broader Ounce team to improve access to care and services. This is a part-time position based in Chicago, structured for three days per week. Weekday hours are determined with the manager based on property needs, and the employee is expected to consistently maintain their scheduled days at the property. The Community Navigator proactively engages residents and builds trust in Ounce’s mission through outreach such as door-to-door flyering, community events, tabling, and phone outreach. The role also supports residents with benefits applications, appointment scheduling, referrals, and ongoing health and wellness advocacy. Navigators build relationships with residents and local partners, identify resident needs, and help ensure access to quality services delivered with respect and empathy. Community Navigators provide support related to residents’ health, benefits, and financial needs; document outreach, services, referrals, and interactions in Ounce’s technology platform; develop local partnerships; and plan and host ongoing on-site programming and events. They attend required team meetings, trainings, and check-ins and are expected to communicate proactively, follow through reliably, and maintain a consistent on-site presence.

Requirements

Experience navigating government benefits, such as SNAP, TANF, LIHEAP, or Medicaid.
Experience coordinating care with local organizations.
Ability to work three days per week in Chicago and commute to assigned properties.
Ability to maintain a consistent set schedule and communicate proactively and reliably.
Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and tasks, make and track referrals, and follow through promptly.
Interest in community-based, on-the-ground work, including community organizing, and customer-service roles.
Ability to work directly within affordable housing communities and maintain a residents-first approach.

Nice To Haves

Understanding of the opportunities and challenges faced by affordable housing residents.
Having lived in the area and/or worked in a community-based role.

Responsibilities

Proactively engage residents in affordable housing communities and build trust in Ounce’s mission.
Conduct outreach through door-to-door flyering, community events, tabling, and phone-based engagement.
Schedule doctor’s appointments and help residents apply for benefits they may be eligible for, such as SNAP, TANF, and LIHEAP.
Serve as a health and wellness advocate and provide ongoing support related to residents’ health, benefits, and financial needs.
Make and track referrals using Ounce’s technology platform and follow up promptly with residents.
Build trust and respect with residents, listen to them, convene them, and proactively identify their needs.
Work with Chicago-area community partners to connect residents to high-quality services delivered with respect and empathy.
Accurately document outreach, services provided, referrals, and resident interactions in the Ounce platform in a timely manner.
Build and maintain local partnerships aligned with resident needs and community programming.
Plan, coordinate, and host ongoing on-site programming and events, providing consistent monthly engagement opportunities at each property.
Attend required team meetings, trainings, and check-ins and participate as a member of the Ounce community team.
Maintain a consistent, reliable on-site schedule and communicate proactively about challenges.