Program Specialist: Jobs Plus

Chicago Housing Authority•Chicago, IL

11d•$60,000 - $65,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Program Specialist – Jobs Plus serves as the primary on‑site point of contact for the Jobs Plus initiative at Wentworth Gardens, representing CHA and the contracted workforce development agency. The role is responsible for ensuring that all Jobs Plus program operations, partnerships, and services are delivered with the highest levels of quality, compliance, and efficiency.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in human services, social work, Public or Business Administration or related field
1-2 years’ experience with workforce programs
Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Word, Power Point and Excel)
Ability to work extensively with spreadsheets and other sources of large amounts of data and internal data systems
Requires work on site with external partners and residents
A valid Driver's License is required
Good verbal and written skills
Excellent interpersonal communication, and customer relation skills
Energetic, focused, and able to handle and prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines
Public speaking, listening, and written communication skills are required

Responsibilities

Serves as the primary on-site contact Wentworth Garden, overseeing daily program operations and coordinating directly with contractors (EES and PPM), residents, and stakeholders.
Provides continuous monitoring of contractor performance, ensuring adherence to Jobs Plus priorities, metrics, and HUD requirements.
Conducts quality assurance reviews of all data entered into the system of records to maintain accuracy, compliance, and reporting integrity.
Ensures all program reports are submitted accurately and on time, a critical compliance function for Jobs Plus funding and HUD oversight.
Delivers training and technical assistance to contractors on CHA policies, workforce strategy, procedures, forms, and data systems, ensuring consistent program implementation.
Provides real time troubleshooting and solution recommendations to contractors and CHA leadership, preventing service disruptions and addressing programmatic issues quickly.
Creates presentations and communication materials that offer program insight and performance overview for stakeholders and leadership.
Works collaboratively across internal departments, external partners, and residents to ensure alignment with organizational priorities and program standards. Coordinate with CHA’s Economic Power Programs, including but not limited to HOME, LeveUp, and Youth Opportunities.
Facilitates contractor meetings and supports workforce development gatherings to reinforce program rules, metrics, and operational procedures.
Attends activities and events created by the Jobs Plus team and provides directions and support to Jobs Plus contractor staff.
Attends workforce development meetings and ensures that established priorities, rules, metrics, and procedures for the Jobs Plus program are followed.
Directly delivers or creates venues for contractors to receive training regarding CHA policy, workforce strategy, procedure and forms, and data systems.
Provides technical assistance to assigned contractors related to meeting performance metrics, Jobs Plus Earned Income Disregard (JPEID), CHA policies, and other program requirements.
Manages multiple projects simultaneously and responds to change in a positive manner.
Create presentation to provide insight and overview of Jobs Plus program.
Complete quality assurance reviews of data entered into the system of record. This position requires working hours outside of CHA's established hours of 8:30am-5:00pm, Monday – Friday.
Performs all other duties and projects assigned outside of job description. This position is eligible to remote work one (1) day per week following the 90-day probationary period.
This position is grant funded.

Benefits

Vacation, Sick and Personal, competitive PTO package
Medical (HMO, PPO, and No employee cost High-Deductible PPO)
Dental
Vision
Life Insurance
Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance
Pet Insurance
Parking Transit
Prepaid Legal Services
Brightstar 529 College Savings Plan
Identity Theft Protection
Hospital Indemnity Insurance
Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance
Deferred Compensation Plan: Empower 457/401(a) with a 3% employer match
Pension Plan: CHA makes contributions on behalf of the employee, along with the employee's 3% contribution; 100% vesting occurs after 6 years of continuous employment or opt-out of CHA's Retirement Plan and continues to participate in the Municipal Employees Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago
Hybrid work schedule (position specific)
May be eligible for remote work following a successful completion of a 90-day probationary period according to CHA’s established policies and procedures.