Placement Specialist

Job Title: Placement Specialist - Family
Reports To: Director of Family Shelter
Location: Boston, MA
Position Type: Full Time

Hourly Rate: $24.76

Overview: The Placement Specialist - Family (PSF) will provide housing search and case management services to families experiencing homelessness. The CMPSF works within a team to monitor and support efforts of program participants to obtain community resources and services, improve living skills and gain permanent housing. The CMPSF requires the ability to address the components of apartment search and showings, application support and lease negotiations. Assists with client’s subsidy applications and collecting necessary documents.

Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with heads of households, develops Rehousing Plans and meets with families weekly to review RHP progress and plan next steps;
• Obtains resources and services as requested and/or needed to address barriers to housing including but not limited to; CORI mitigation, credit repair, and assistance with financial applications;
• Ensure that all clients receive explanation and assistance with navigating housing application processes and referral to all appropriate housing opportunities; including but not limited to, local housing authorities, regional non-profit housing agencies, private management companies, and community development corporations;
• Assists clients with on-going housing search activities including but not limited to, finding housing opportunities, contacting prospective landlords and/or management companies, accompanying clients to view and apply for units, attending appointments at housing agencies and other search activities as they present;
• Assists client with move-in transition supports including but not limited to; furniture and furnishings assistance, budget support, and other resources and services as needed;
• Documents all interactions with clients utilizing appropriate reporting mechanisms, including web-based data collection systems;
• Participate in on call rotation schedule;
• Maintain familiarity with relevant housing laws and regulations around Fair Housing and Landlord Tenant laws to assist in client advocacy as appropriate.
• Participates in individual and group supervision as assigned by Program Manager;
• Participates in all required training and professional development activities;
• Works collaboratively with Development staff to participate in volunteer activities as needed;
• Observes all program and agency rules and policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Heading Home, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic data, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or other legally protected status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law.

Work Environment

Cubicle space within large office building; prolonged sitting at a desk and working on a computer, ability to climb up to three floors of stairs, ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds.

COVID-19 Vaccine Policy

All Heading Home employees will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Qualifications:

• Associate's degree or High School Diploma with three years related work experience.
• Housing placement experience preferred.
• Knowledge and experience with service agencies and resources for families experiencing homelessness.
• Willingness to accompany clients as needed to appointments.
• Willingness to work as part of a team to promote the goals of the agency.
• Sensitive to the needs of people experiencing homelessness, low income and diverse populations.
• Ability to work in a busy, diverse team setting.
• Excellent time management, organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to independently meet with clients in the field.

Heading Home's mission is to end homelessness in Greater Boston by providing a supported pathway to self-sufficiency that begins with a home, together with critical services such as life skills, financial literacy, and job training.

Founded in 1974, Heading Home is a leading provider of housing and support services for extremely low-income individuals and families currently or formerly experiencing homelessness in Greater Boston. For nearly 50 years, we have successfully helped thousands of people end their homelessness.

As an agency, our services are diverse; we provide emergency, transitional, and permanent housing, and support services, to extremely low-income individuals and families currently or formerly experiencing homelessness.

We are proud to share that for 16 years running, Heading Home's permanent housing retention rates have been 90% . Last year, 97% of Heading Home clients remained housed after one year.