Counselor Case Manager, Homeless Outreach & Prevention Services

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois • Chicago, IL

3d • $22 - $24

About The Position

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) is hiring a full-time Counselor Case Manager for its Homeless Outreach & Prevention Services program. The role provides outreach, engagement, and case management to unhoused individuals in Portage Park and surrounding neighborhoods, promoting access to housing, community functioning, and independence while helping reduce crisis episodes, hospital admissions, and police encounters associated with unhoused status. Clients may also experience mental health or substance use concerns.

The position is Monday through Friday and includes community visits, client transportation, supportive counseling, housing location assistance, and coordination of case management and treatment services. The Counselor Case Manager carries a caseload and collaborates with internal programs, external programs, and treatment providers. The role also requires timely, compliant documentation and meeting a minimum productivity standard of 10 billable hours per week.

LSSI describes itself as a not-for-profit organization with more than 150 years of service in Illinois. The organization offers a competitive hourly salary based on relevant education, experience, and licensure, as well as advancement opportunities and paid training. Full-time employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree required.
• Biohazard training required.
• Proficiency with electronic health care record documentation and review required.
• Clear and comprehensible verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organization, presentation, and computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and related software.
• Valid driver’s license in good standing for the state of residency required.
• Access to reliable transportation required.
• Valid Illinois statutory minimum liability insurance coverage for bodily injury and property damage required.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree preferred.
• One to three years of experience providing outreach and engagement services to unhoused individuals preferred.
• One to three years of experience working with mental health and/or substance use populations preferred.
• Familiarity with accreditation and licensure standards preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide outreach and engagement services to unhoused individuals or people at risk of homelessness who have serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders.
• Provide and coordinate housing location, case management, and treatment services.
• Carry a caseload and provide supportive counseling and concrete services assigned by a supervisor.
• Collaborate with internal programs, including Elgin and Kenmore Recovery Programs, and external programs and treatment providers.
• Complete documentation, including Treatment Plans and IM+CANS, in a timely manner and in accordance with Rule 140/132 and/or MCO requirements.
• Transport clients and conduct community visits.
• Meet documentation and productivity standards, including at least 10 billable hours per week.
• Adhere to ethical treatment standards under the NASW Code of Ethics.
• Demonstrate professional, positive, respectful, honest, fair, and dignified conduct toward clients, families, LSSI workforce members, and collaborating organizations or individuals.

Benefits

• On-demand flexible paydays for earned wages through the Dayforce Wallet app.
• Competitive salary based on relevant education, experience, and licensure.
• Opportunity for advancement.
• Comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, including health insurance, up to 26 days of paid time off per calendar year, sick time, a 403(b) plan, an Employee Assistance Program, and flexible hours.
• Paid training.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree