FCS Housing Specialist

Full Time

$20.40 - $25.83

Outreach

Monday - Friday

8:00am - 4:30pm

Pierce County's First Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic;

Comprehensive Life Resources is looking for a passionate Housing Specialist to join our Foundational Community Support team in Tacoma, WA.  

We Offer - Medical, Dental, and Vision with 100% paid premiums for Full-Time employees. 11 paid holidays, 403(b)-retirement plan, Life Insurance, Long term Disability, Mental Health Leave, Employee Assistance Program (up to 6 consultations per year), Mileage reimbursement, Tuition Assistance, Paid Sick leave, $3 Weekend shift differential pay for specific locations, Bereavement Leave, Continuing education programs, and Health club reimbursement. All benefits contingent on working a scheduled 40hrs a week (32 for providers).

Work Expectations:

This is an outreach position.  Meaning more than half of your work will be in the field, at homeless encampments, shelters, and/or in a community house placement. You should be aware that these conditions are often not sanitary.  Being a licensed and insured driver is a requirement of the position and sometimes, employees will be expected to transport clients in their personal vehicles. 

Working conditions include walking, standing, hiking, bending, cleaning, or walking upstairs for extended periods of times.  It is important for your own safety that you understand you will be expected to maneuver around unsteady terrain.

Our Homeless Services are often called to intervene during all weather emergencies including the heat, snow, rain, smoke, and other extreme weather.

Responsibilities:

• Effectively assist participants in achieving housing stability. 
• Actively participate in trainings, consultations, meetings, and activities as required by the program. Have up-to-date knowledge of fair housing and tenant/landlord laws. 
• Be an active participant with the CLR interdisciplinary team and ensure ethical and professional standards of care. 
• Complete all required documentation in a timely and accurate manner - including, but not limited to, progress notes, participant eligibility, enrollment, and tracking. Maintain clinical records in accordance with company policies and procedures, as well as FCS fidelity criterion. 
• Facilitate Person Centered Planning and strengths-based approaches to determine housing goals; recommend appropriate services to achieve goals; and oversee the program and goals agreed upon. Revise as necessary. 
• Assist participants in achieving the highest level of independent functioning while receiving services. 
• Provide services in accordance with CLR policies, FCS fidelity criterion, and principles of safety and trauma-informed care. 
• Follow up on participant progress, providing encouragement as needed. 
• Establish and maintain good working relationships with participants, referral agencies, landlords and all team members. Serve as an ongoing liaison between property managers and participants, as well as between participants and neighbors. 
• Assist with screening of referrals for appropriate program and service options. 
• Conduct other services and activities in accordance with Foundational Community Supports program guide and fidelity criterion. 
• Explain and provide written information on coordinated entry process to eligible and ineligible participants so they may access as many resources as possible. 
• Participate in meetings, staffings, and other activities as directed to promote and review the effectiveness of Individual Housing Plans. 
• Use informal community networks, as needed, to locate housing and make referrals as necessary in support of Individual Housing Plans. 
• Understand and perform duties within compliance with State and Federal Fair Housing Laws. 
• Provide pro-active follow-up home visits to ensure stability and further progress towards self-sufficiency; this includes support, advocacy, reducing isolation, listening, problem solving, and identification of resources to assist with reintegration of participants in the community. 
• Coordinate and/or provide supportive services needed by the participant to achieve and maintain stable housing. 
• Establish and document participant housing requirements. Determine the participant's household strengths and barriers that may limit the housing options available to the household. Gather and record information about the participant's prior housing situation in order to identify and coordinate an effective and acceptable housing search for the participant.
• Develop housing searches, locate landlords willing to rent to participant, perform housing inspections and all other housing related tasks required to permanently house participant. 
• Ensure that participants receive the assistance needed to promote housing stability
• Assist participants in identifying goals and building plans towards achieving those goals. 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Services (Psychology, Behavioral Science, Sociology, Human Services, Vocational Rehabilitation, etc.) preferred. 

• 1 years’ experience working in the human services or related field
• Washington State credential/license, or ability to obtain an agency affiliated counselor registration. 
• Valid Washington State driver’s license; proof of insurance. Must have access to a vehicle and be willing/able to travel frequently throughout the community to meet and transport participants. 

Comprehensive Life Resources is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.  We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, veteran status, disability status, and any other applicable legally protected characteristics and or class. 

Salary : $20 - $26