Job purpose    

The mission of Hope the Mission (HTM) is to prevent, reduce, and eliminate poverty, hunger, and homelessness.

HTM's Interim Housing provides a safe, low-barrier, and supportive 24-hour shelter for adult individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Clients receive shelter, food, housing-focused case management, and other supportive services. Working under the supervision of the Program Manager, the Intake Specialist fulfills the mission of Hope the Mission (HTM) by successfully administering intake and enrollment to participants and managing client files/data. 

Duties and responsibilities    

• Complete initial intake/screening administering CES appropriate triage tool when necessary.
• Actively listens to participants and engages in appropriate problem-solving strategies through trauma-informed conversations.
  
• Offers services that are aimed at removing barriers to quickly access alternative housing interventions (crisis, bridge, shared, etc.).
• Ensure all client documentation is placed inside participant’s master file and uploaded in HMIS.
• Ensure all participant files are kept in a secure, locked area in a locked filing cabinet (double lock).
• Provide emergency service referrals (crisis housing, drop-in centers, domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, mental health) and warm handoff referrals when appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with all documentation as detailed in the Scope of Required Services (SRS).
• Maintain client confidentiality at all times discussing participant information only when appropriate and related to services provided.
• Attend staff meetings, case conferences, training workshops. and community meetings as needed.
• Participates in audit preparations assisting with data retrieval.
• Completes any assignments or evaluations in a timely and factual manner.
• Monitor client service logs and client attendance.
• Compile client reports as requested.

Other duties include    

• Perform any other duties, projects and responsibilities as assigned by the manager.
• Work with outsourced security to maintain safety of participants, staff, volunteers, and visitors always diffusing potential disputes/confrontations.
• Project a positive professional image and adhere to organizational dress code.
• Self identifies potentially unsafe systems/processes/situations and takes initiative to report to manager/supervisor.

Qualifications    

• Understand and support the mission statement of Hope the Mission 

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology or equivalent preferred

• 1-2 years' experience working with the homeless or similar population preferred

• Must possess solid proficiency of Microsoft Office Suite

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Must possess basic grammar and spelling skills

• Possess the necessary initiative, adaptability, and responsibility to work with minimum supervision

• Must possess excellent problem-solving skills

• Ability to interact with others professionally

• Knowledge of Housing First, Harm Reduction, and Trauma Informed principles preferred

• Experience working with a diverse population, with sensitivity to differences in culture, religion, sexual orientation, race, age, and physical and mental illness

• Valid CPR/First Aid certification or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire

• Must be TB-cleared prior to hiring

• A live scan is required

• Local travel may be required

• A Valid CA driver's license is required

Working conditions    

• Ability to walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or sometimes continuous basis

• Ability to grasp, push, and pull objects such as files, and file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead

• Ability to work in proximity with service animals and emotional support animals

• Ability to operate a computer, fax, and telephone.

• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.

• Some night and weekend hours required

PHYSICAL DEMANDS, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, EQUIPMENT

The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the job's essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. The employee is required to: Walk and climb stairs; stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or sometimes continuous basis; Grasp, push, and pull objects such as files, and file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead; Handle, finger, grasp and feel objects and equipment; Reach with hands and arms; Be mobile by moving oneself from place to place quickly and easily; Repeat various motions with the wrists, hands, and fingers; Be able to perform visual activities for (including, but not limited to) administrative and clerical tasks; Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. Communicate, receive, and exchange ideas, and information by means of the spoken and written word; Drive vehicle in and around San Bernardino County; Be able to enter various buildings that may require climbing stairs. Be periodically subjected to outside environmental conditions. Employees may work in proximity to service animals and emotional support animals; Use a desktop and/or laptop computer; copy, postage, and fax machines. Complete all required forms in personal writing.

Work Environment:

The employee may be in contact with individuals and families in crisis who may be ill, using alcohol and drugs, and who may not be attentive to basic personal hygiene, health, and safety practices. The employee may experience several unpleasant sensory demands associated with the client's use of alcohol and drugs, and lack of personal hygiene. The employee must be ready to respond quickly and effectively to many situations, including crises and potentially hostile situations. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate in an office setting.

Sometimes work may become stressful when working under pressure.

• EEO: HTM (Hope the Mission) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, HOTV complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, placement, promotion, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

• HTM will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if HOTV is concerned about the conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing’s Fair Chance Act webpage.