Overnight Shift Supervisor

Job Title(s): Residential Shift Supervisor

Department:  Programs

Reports To: Director of Residential Services

Direct Reports: Youth Engagement Specialists & Leads

Classification: Exempt

Work Location: In-person

Date: 5/20/26

Revised: 7/17/26

Organization Overview

Covenant House Illinois (CHIL), founded in 2017, provides critical protection and resources for youth ages 18–24 experiencing homelessness across Chicagoland and Illinois. Through trauma-informed, harm-reduction, and youth-centered services including shelter, workforce development, education, and clinical support CHIL empowers young people to achieve long-term stability and independence. With continued growth and expansion, CHIL is committed to strengthening service delivery through strong compliance, quality assurance, and data-driven decision-making.

Position Summary

The Shift Manager oversees program operations during each shift, and actively partners with other Shift Managers and the Director of Residential Services to ensure effective supervision of all CHIL residential Youth Engagement Specialist (YES) staff. The Shift Manager advances CHIL’s mission by fostering an affirming community for youth experiencing homelessness, grounded in absolute respect, unconditional love, and promoting pathways to lasting independence. Shift Managers model and support best practices for YES in building positive, trusting relationships with youth; facilitating life skills classes and youth activities; and partnering with youth and others to support individualized case plans that promote long-term stability. The Shift Manager is responsible for maintaining high-quality service delivery, including safety, program monitoring, and compliance. As the on-site supervisor, the Shift Manager delegates shift responsibilities to YES and ensures the care, safety, and wellbeing of all youth in the program.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities: (Covenant House Illinois reserves the right to unilaterally modify, remove, or add to any of the following)

1. Mission and Standards of Procedure:

• Manage activities of the residential and Drop-In Program; including assigning staff to their daily shift assignments to ensure the needs and activities for youth participants are met.
• Provide direct staff coverage and support during the shift and participate in on-call rotation to support programs.
• Attend department Management Meetings and ensure timely dissemination of all relevant information to staff.
• Inform the Program Manager and Director of Programs of all unusual situations or incidents affecting youth safety/security and program operation.
• Facilitate daily shift transition meetings, ensuring clarity on responsibilities, youth updates, and operational needs.
• Maintain cleanliness and safety of the physical space; report any maintenance or safety needs, and support emergency response protocols.
• Ensure compliance with medication policies and incident reporting protocols, including critical incidents per the Child Protection Policy and Procedures.
• Provide and ensure effective communication with case managers regarding youth interactions, progress toward case plan goals, and any concerns relevant to care.
• Support the planning and facilitation of team-building activities, life skills workshops, and on-site engagements to foster rapport among youth and staff.
• Promote opportunities for youth feedback, including suggestions for programming, and relay input to leadership.
• Encourage youth involvement in their individual case plans and support them in achieving their goals.
• Ensure quality documentation and record keeping by YES staff (e.g. ETO touchpoints, incident reporting, written documentation tracking).
• Perform other duties as assigned.

2. Trauma-Informed & Crisis Intervention Practices:

• Utilize trauma-informed, strength-based, and youth-centered approaches to care and supervision.
• Provide crisis intervention support for youth, employing de-escalation techniques and trauma-informed care practices.

• Ensure our program engagement offers youth who are experiencing homelessness an affirming community, grounded in absolute respect, unconditional love, and pathways to lasting independence.
• Demonstrates best practices and the ability to guide and support staff in the use of the same (e.g. CHIL program models, CPI) to enhance youth success.

• Exercise independent and sound judgment at all times, particularly regarding youth safety, staff support, and facility management.

3. Staff Supervision & Development:

• Supervise Youth Engagement Specialist and provide weekly 1:1 supervision meetings that include coaching, feedback, and development opportunities.
• Develop and communicate Youth Engagement Specialists’ schedules; oversee payroll and timesheet review, including ensuring accuracy in time entries, adherence to meal breaks, and submitting appropriate justifications for edits.
• Assist with onboarding and training of new staff; identify ongoing training needs and recommend staff development opportunities to leadership.
• Provide trauma-informed supervision emphasizing reflective practice, collaboration, clear communication, and accountability while recognizing the impact of trauma on both youth and staff.

Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Education & Experience:

• An Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in social services field with 3+ years of relevant experience working with youth, young adults, or individuals experiencing housing instability
• 1-2 years of experience in a supervisory role.

Skills & Abilities:

• As a 24/7 program, full-time staff work some holidays and weekends. All efforts are made to equitably distribute holidays amongst staff.

• Shift hours are: 3pm-11:30pm, or 11:00pm-7:30am
• Willing to undergo MVR background check for clearance to drive agency van.
• Display effective written, verbal, listening, and communication skills.
• Ability to exercise appropriate judgment in crisis situations with effective interpersonal skills.
• Must be willing to function as an active and engaged member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Strong organizational, time management, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated cultural competency and the ability to work with diverse backgrounds and provide culturally competent services. 
• Willingness to obtain First Aid/CPR certification and administer Narcan if necessary.
• Ability to pass all required federal, state, and local background checks.
• Physical ability to perform light labor, climb stairs, and lift up to 25 lbs.
• Proficiency in or willingness to learn case management systems such as ETO
• Basic Microsoft Office knowledge required.

Our Community:

Our critical mission demands that we have all voices at the table. A team of diverse people, perspectives, and experiences is smarter, stronger, and more effective for our young people. At Covenant House, every team member is valued, respected, heard, and supported, and we welcome honest and courageous self-reflection on any aspects of our work that are based on biased or outdated viewpoints. We deliberately create opportunities for our staff to grow and thrive. 

Working Conditions

This position requires the employee to work onsite in our office facility. Potential exposure to challenging behavioral situations or high-stress environments, requiring the ability to maintain composure and apply trauma-informed practices. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to verbally communicate, listen, stand for moderate periods of time, walk, and lift up to 50 pounds, occasionally driving a minivan. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

At Covenant House Illinois, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of our mission. We know that a team with varied backgrounds and perspectives is stronger and better equipped to serve our youth. That’s why we foster a culture where every team member feels valued, heard, and supported. 

We are committed to continuous learning, honest reflection, and creating opportunities for growth. 

Covenant House Illinois is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We base all employment decisions on qualifications and business needs—without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other protected status. Discrimination and harassment have no place here, and we welcome all qualified applicants to join our team.