Statewide Fair Housing Manager

The Statewide Fair Housing Coordinator is responsible for special enforcement and outreach projects in Central and Southern Illinois. This includes community mapping to identify underserved communities, followed by targeted outreach, logistical planning, and finally hosting Fair Housing Clinics to spread awareness of Fair Housing rights and protections. The Statewide Fair Housing Coordinator will also conduct intakes and engage in light advocacy for clients. The position offers flexible growth based on your interest in complaint-based or systemic investigation, outreach, and more. This work is primarily focused on furthering HOPE’s mission to ensure fair housing opportunities in Central and Southern Illinois.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Research communities throughout the state for targeted outreach campaign;
• Conduct outreach to agencies to build network of housing advocates in underserved communities;
• Organize Fair Housing Clinics to educate service providers and community members on their Fair Housing rights in underserved communities;
• Host six to ten Fair Housing Clinics in person or virtual in underserved communities;
• Conduct first contact intakes with Clinic participants to identify fair housing violations and make referrals when necessary;
• Advocate in short-term, direct ways for simpler fair housing violations such as Reasonable Accommodations;
• Maintain concise and comprehensive documentation of intake and advocacy activities;
• Identify potential systemic investigations in report for Director of Enforcement;
• Assist Director of Enforcement in drafting and filing administrative complaints or referrals for attorneys;
• Engage with Enforcement staff with planning and execution investigations on an as needed basis;
• Engage with Outreach staff with planning and execution of education and outreach activities on an as needed basis;
• Recruit and train Fair Housing testers in underserved communities;
• Attend weekly Enforcement Committee Meetings to discuss project updates;
• Assist with reporting for all job activities across multiple federal and local grants;
• Assist Grants Manager in seeking new grants to extend/expand the project;
• Maintain confidentiality on all project activities;
• Keep abreast of trends in the housing sector and provide support for HOPE’s resource development initiatives;
• Full-time; Salaried position; Must be willing to travel to Central and Southern Illinois.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Possess or develop a strong understanding of:
  • Fair housing statutes;
  • Intake and file keeping best practices;
  • State and federal administrative complaint and legal processes;
  • Landlord/tenant laws and issues; and
  • Various additional legal concepts pertaining to fair housing.
• Bachelor’s degree (useful but not required);
• Experience conducting intake, customer service support, and data entry preferred;
• Experience in project management preferred;
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills that include:
  • Multicultural competency with an appreciation for diversity and integration;
  • Excellent oral, written, and listening skills;
  • Clear and open communication style;
  • Positive, team-player attitude focused on collaboration;
  • Outstanding time management and scheduling skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously;
  • Superior accuracy, attention to detail, and analytical skills; and
  • Ability to represent HOPE effectively in a professional manner;
  • Bilingual Spanish speaker a plus but not required.
• Aptitude for setting benchmarks, meeting deadlines, and fulfilling contract obligations;
• Ability to keep records and maintain case files;
• Demonstrate a firm commitment to fair housing and civil rights;
• Reliable access to a car and valid driver’s license to travel in Central and Southern Illinois