Program Specialist

Description

At The Night Ministry, our work centers on meeting people with compassion, dignity, and respect during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Across Chicago, our teams provide human connection, housing support, and health care to individuals and families experiencing housing instability and poverty. We believe lasting impact is built through consistency, trust, and showing up for our community every day.

The people who work here are deeply committed to that mission. Our staff bring empathy, professionalism, resilience, and a shared sense of purpose to their work, whether they are serving clients directly in the community or supporting operations behind the scenes. Every department and every role contributes to the strength of our programs and the quality of care we provide.

We value collaboration, accountability, curiosity, and a commitment to equity in both our work and our workplace culture. We are looking for people who are thoughtful, adaptable, and motivated by meaningful work that creates real impact in the lives of others.

Working at The Night Ministry means being part of a mission-driven organization where your contributions matter, your work supports a larger purpose, and your colleagues care deeply about the community and one another.

Position Summary: Responsible for the day-to-day care of program clients/residents and their children, if applicable. May include low threshold overnight shelter, interim program, or transitional living program. Responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment, modeling positive behaviors, coaching around decision making, and working closely with case management to reinforce case plan.

General

Purpose:

Promote and maintain The Night Ministry's mission to serve homeless clients age 14- 24 and their children, if applicable.

Schedule Expectations This position follows a set weekly schedule and requires availability during evenings and weekends.
Full-Time Program Specialist

• Overnight:
  Sunday - Thursday: 11:00 p.m. – 7:15 a.m.

Part-Time Program Specialist

• Spilt Shift: Sunday-Monday: 1st Shift;
  Friday: 2nd shift

On-Call Program Specialist

• TBD, as needed.

Candidates should be comfortable working evening shifts, weekends, and holidays as needed to support program operations.

Candidates should be comfortable working evening shifts, weekends, and holidays as needed to support program operations.
Position Responsibilities:

• Complete initial intakes with new residents on the day of arrival; complete all paperwork.
• Attending all weekly staff meetings and mandatory training.
• Accurate and timely data entry in Efforts to Outcomes (ETO).
• Record in log daily activities, progress and other significant issues for residents occurring on each shift: be available to update workers arriving to work following shift; review log at start of each shift carefully.
• Promptly greet visitors and callers; refer and assist as necessary, in a professional manner.
• Supervise, direct, and ensure that all Night Ministry policies and procedures, as well as "house rules," are applied and always maintained.
• Direct and assist residents with basic life skills development for themselves and their children, if applicable (personal hygiene, cleaning of rooms and entire facility, cooking, laundry, childcare, etc.).
• Arrange for residents' transportation to various appointments and activities; may drive company vehicle if prior approval is obtained.
• Always ensure residents’ safety and well-being; report all unusual incidents, rule infractions, emergencies, and any visits by outside agencies (such as police, fire, DCFS) to on-call supervisor promptly.
• Provide the best possible service for residents. Be aware of conditions and offer ways to improve upon operation of the facility and agency.
• Display qualities of consistency, fair-play, firm but kind control (such as, supporting the resident while approving or disproving of their behavior), clear boundary-setting, tolerance, flexibility, and professional demeanor.
• Coordinate work responsibilities with volunteers, informing case management or volunteer coordinator when any questions or issues arise.
• Inform case management and Program…