About us

WE ARE

Founded in 2003, the Northwest Center (NWC, formerly the Northwest Side Housing Center) identifies and responds to the needs of the community by leveraging resources to improve the economic well-being and quality of life among all residents in Belmont-Cragin and neighboring communities.

VALUES

Resident-led |  Community residents are at the forefront of our work, and our team, from our board to our staff, reflects the community.

Relational | Strong relationships advance and enhance our work.

Responsive | We were born out of, and continue to be, responsive to the needs of the community.

Innovative | Innovative programs and organizing campaigns drive our work and differentiate us from others.

Data-driven | We use data from the community to plan and inform all our work.

Racially Equitable |  Our work affirmatively seeks to reduce racial inequity through building the power of residents who, as a result of systemic oppression and racism, face pressing issues and a lack of resources on Chicago's Northwest Side.

CULTURE
At the NWC, you will work with a team of collaborative, thoughtful, trauma-informed, and racial justice-oriented people. You’ll be part of a teae4m that values equity and consensus-based  decision making.

Our office is like a home where guests are always greeted and called by their name, and offered a warm cup of coffee. Our workspace bustles with our team, participants, and community members; youth, parents, older adults. And our people understand that it takes a unified team committed to our values to carry out our work. Our audience is often composed of people who we’re meeting during times of hardship and change. So when we greet folks, pick up the phones, or help a colleague out with refilling the printer paper, we do so with compassion and empathy. Y lo hacemos juntos.

About you

POSITION OVERVIEW
The Director of Operations is responsible for the internal management of the organization and for ensuring efficient operations and safe and sound facility management. They oversee informational technology, finance, building operations and ensure all policies and procedures are in compliance.

Title: Program Director: Carmen Landecho

Status: Full-Time Exempt  

Reports to:  Deputy Director

Start day 12/01/2015

YOU ARE
A knowledgeable, people-oriented, and organized counselor dedicated to helping folks to manage their finances.  You understand that you are meeting people often in times of hardship and are willing to bring a trauma-informed, empathetic lens to your work. You are committed to fighting for race equity and social justice for all marginalized communities.

YOU BRING

• Twenty years of experience in  counseling
• Bilingual Proficiency (preferably Spanish/English)
• Advance working knowledge of financial education, including money management, budgeting, credit, credit reporting, and basic banking
• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Proficient use of data entry and client management software
• Effective written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, self-directed atmosphere
• Ability to work in a team setting with other individuals and groups
• A friendly, patient, and professional attitude

• A minimum basic understanding of racial equity, specifically the ways in which communities of color are disproportionately impacted by racialized capitalism and white supremacist culture

YOU’LL DO

• Conduct financial analysis and affordability assessment based on information and documents provided by the client.
• Create an Action Plan that supports and builds client’s financial capacity.
• Perform ongoing case management to provide service and problem-solving and help participants to understand a credit report.
• Participate in group education workshops.
• Participate in outreach events as necessary by the agency.
• Facilitate First Time Home Buyers Workshops on Saturday mornings
• Record all communications, and update the client management system after each meeting in CRM system
• Conduct follow-ups via phone and/or email  in a professional, responsive, helpful and positive manner to determine whether or not the client is following their financial goal plan.
• Ensure all client files are securely stored and locked with all required documents and forms.
• Collect Disclosure statements and paperwork once a client fulfills homeownership as needed.
• Be proactive self-starter and skills that include:  a demonstrated ability to work independently; to handle multiple assignments & tasks; and to apply and comply with various policies and procedures.
• Public speaking and communication skills (written and verbal).
• Represent NWC at external events, seminars, and networking functions as needed.
• Prepare funder reports as required.
• Facilitate ADELANTE program. Recruit 40 participants within 8 cohorts per program year.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Given the changing nature of work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have developed a comprehensive list of COVID-19 policies to prioritize keeping our community and team safe.
• Our team is currently operating in a hybrid work environment that includes in-office and remote work. Schedules are arranged by position to maximize flexibility and the need of the position.
• This position operates primarily in an office environment that is fully accessible and routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, copiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to converse and exchange information, and will frequently need to move/traverse. The employee will operate office technology and equipment, and may occasionally move/transport objects up to 25-40 pounds.
• The nature of our community-based work often involves evening and weekend obligations, and some travel to off-site locations in the Chicago metro area.
• Our workplace is a non-smoking and drug-free environment.
• This position may require work on some evenings and weekends, schedule can vary depending on the needs of the agency

SALARY & BENEFITS

• Salary range: ____________________________
• 401k (matching may be available depending on annual budget)
• HMO and PPO Health Insurance Options with monthly employee contributions of $50-$100
• Free Vision, and Dental, Long-Term and Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Accommodating work schedule (including half-day & fully remote Fridays)
• Excellent PTO compared to industry average, starting at 2 weeks a year plus 2 weeks of additional paid time off at the end of each calendar year
• Flexible and paid parental leave

Equal Opportunity Employer

Northwest Center is committed to diversity among its staff, and recognizes that its continued success requires the highest commitment to obtaining and retaining a diverse staff that provides the best quality services to supporters and constituents. We strongly encourage diverse candidates– people of color, immigrants, women, gender nonconforming, and people with disabilities, to apply.

Decisions and criteria governing the employment relationship with all employees are made in a non-discriminatory manner, without regard to race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, citizenship status, military service and/or marital status, order of protection status, handicap, disability, or any other factor determined to be unlawful by federal, state, or local statutes.

Updated: 12.14.2022