The Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Case Manager at PADS Lake County is a professional role dedicated to supporting families experiencing and/or at risk of chronic homelessness and housing instability. As a key member of the Permanent Supportive Housing team, the PSH Case Manager provides direct client care and plays a critical role in maintaining safe, supportive, and trauma-informed program environments. Serving a caseload of 40–50 families, this position is responsible for the implementation of individualized service plans, coordination of supportive services, and engagement with residents that promotes long-term housing stability and improved social determinants of health.
Reporting to the Permanent Supportive Housing Manager, the PSH Case Manager supports clients through a lens of Trauma-Informed Care and Harm Reduction. This role integrates the principles of Housing First and motivational interviewing to address complex needs such as mental health challenges, substance use, domestic violence, developmental disabilities, and systemic barriers to housing. Through professional and respectful engagement, you will help bridge the gap between crisis and housing stability, ensuring that PADS Lake County facilities remain safe, equitable, and client-centered.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Provide staff and client support within designated agency programs, focusing on housing retention, economic stability, and family well-being.
- Deliver care that is safe, timely, effective, equitable, and client-centered.
- Demonstrate understanding and implementation of Housing First, Harm Reduction, and Trauma-Informed Care principles.
- Maintain effective communication with staff members, supervisors, and external stakeholders to ensure wraparound services are coordinated and accessible.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Client Services
- Conduct intake assessments and develop individualized housing and service plans.
- Provide consistent, high-quality case management through regular home visits and support tailored to resident needs.
- Monitor client behavior and manage conflicts using crisis management and harm reduction techniques, including assisting with crisis resolution, eviction prevention, and conflict mediation between residents and landlords.
- Help participants overcome psychological, emotional, and social barriers by connecting them to appropriate services and supports.
- Support goal setting in areas such as budgeting, parenting, healthcare access, education, and employment.
- Aid in the preparation and submission of important documentation (e.g., Social Security, tax forms, state benefits).
General Responsibilities
- Generate daily reports and submit follow-up documentation related to client issues.
- Complete accurate and timely data entry in HMIS/Service Point and other required systems to meet grant and programmatic reporting standards.
- Ensure all service delivery complies with federal, state, and local guidelines, including HUD PSH regulations.
- Facilitate group and individual programming that fosters leadership, connection, and empowerment within the resident community.
- Plan and implement resident events such as council meetings, educational sessions, cultural celebrations, and youth programs.
- Ensure professionalism, confidentiality, and appropriate boundaries at all times, adhering strictly to HIPAA guidelines.
- Comply with all PADS Lake County policies as outlined in the personnel handbook.
REQUIREMENTS / QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, or a related field preferred.
- Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in case management or supportive housing, preferably with chronically homeless or highly vulnerable populations.
- Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness strongly preferred.
- Advanced education may be substituted for a portion of the experience requirement.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong interpersonal skills, including active listening and de-escalation, with a proven ability to engage clients in a respectful and trauma-informed manner.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills, demonstrating a problem-solving orientation with a commitment to collaborative solutions.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a highly collaborative team.
- Demonstrated professionalism and ability to maintain strict confidentiality and professional boundaries.
- Bilingual in Spanish preferred.
Additional Requirements
- Valid Illinois driver’s license with a clean driving record and reliable transportation.
- Ability to pass all applicable pre-employment background checks.
- Ability to commute to Waukegan, IL and assigned Lake County locations.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING CONDITIONS
- Full-time with flexible scheduling required, as evening or weekend hours may occasionally be necessary.
- Work is performed in office, hotel, and community-based environments, including both office work and travel to client homes.
- Regular interaction with individuals experiencing crisis, mental health challenges, or substance use issues.
- Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee is regularly required to talk, hear, stand, walk, sit, and safely operate a motor vehicle.
- ADA Statement: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
BENEFITS
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Health insurance
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Life insurance
- Mileage reimbursement
- Opportunities for advancement
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
- Paid training
- Vision insurance
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT PADS Lake County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business need, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Application Question(s):
- Does the listed salary meet your requirements?
- How does this role at PADS Lake County align with your current career trajectory or academic background in human services, social work, or a related field?
Shift availability:
- Day Shift (Required)
- On-Call / Weekend availability (As required per rotation)
Ability to Commute:
- Waukegan, IL 60085 (Required)
Work Location: In person and in the field
Pay: From $23.66 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Mileage reimbursement
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
