Retention Worker

Retention Worker - Multnomah County

Position closes January 3, 2025

All applications will be reviewed and candidates who will be invited to interview will be informed by January 7, 2025.  Interviews will likely be held the week of 1/13. 

We ask that you answer the 3 questions on the application to be considered for the position.

JOIN (joinpdx.org) is a non-profit organization that exists to support the efforts of individuals and families experiencing homelessness to transition off the streets and into permanent housing. We are inspired by the vision of a community where everyone has a place to call home.  

JOIN has an organizational commitment to equity and inclusion, and to ensure that programs and staff culture are equitable in both access, experience, and outcomes regardless of race, ethnicity, faith, culture, language, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship or immigration status, sexual orientation or family status. 

JOIN is committed to pursuing effective strategies and devoting dedicated time and resources at every level of the organization to address disparities based on identity and to apply an equity lens to all decisions, programs, and policies in furthering JOIN’s commitment to become an anti-racist organization, including dismantling white supremacy culture.

Position Overview

JOIN is hiring a retention worker. These positions provide housing stabilization support for people housed by JOIN’s Outreach and InReach Teams.  JOIN’s retention efforts seek to empower people to maintain permanent, independent housing through acquiring income, promoting physical and emotional health, and building community.  Retention Workers need to be able to build authentic relationships and provide equitable access to services for people who have experienced houselessness without discrimination based on identity, personal histories, and household composition, and be willing and able to engage people on the streets, in their homes, in community settings and in our service facility.

Union Represented:

Yes

Compensation

$25.00/hour

Full Time non-exempt position with option for 100% paid employer paid Health Benefits (medical & dental benefits for employee and all dependents), employer paid Long and Short term disability benefit, employer paid $50,000 life insurance, EAP, Flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care, unmatched 403(b), holiday pay, 160 hours PTO, 10 paid holidays plus paid winter break shutdown, 8 hours/month paid community involvement opportunity, paid bereavement leave, paid trauma leave, and an 8 week paid sabbatical after 7 years of employment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Work in the office, remotely, and complete home visits to meet and engage clients.
• Apply principles of harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and strengths-based communication in support of their self-determined housing stability plan.
• Utilize tools such as ecomapping, goal setting, and other assessments to support stabilization planning.
• Coordinate and support referral to services at partner agencies and community-based resources, including but not limited to disability benefits acquisition, employment assistance, and workforce training.
• Provide navigation support and advocacy around households' engagement with physical and mental health resources, Department of Human Services, and the criminal justice system, among other entities.
• Coordinate and/or provide transportation to appointments, interviews, events, and other functions.
• Practice a growth-oriented approach to work; engage with coaching and skill development opportunities..
• Complete regular paperwork including monthly case notes, receipt reconciliations, and voucher hour submission, and client case management documents such as intake and exit paperwork, voucher intake and renewal packets, and 12 month housing stability follow ups.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with resident services coordinators, property managers and management companies to support housing stability and to create avenues for advocacy when a household's tenancy is at risk.
• Coordinate with emergency food providers to obtain and deliver food boxes.
• With support of housing placement workers, provide delivery of furniture and household goods to newly housed individuals.
• Navigate school systems/family resources

Providing Community Support

• Plan and implement social events, peer support groups, and community volunteer opportunities for newly housed tenants.
• Work collaboratively with other JOIN teams and community partners to host and support regular access to community building events.
• Support advocacy opportunities aligned with JOIN’s mission and vision, and engage program participants with opportunities to participate in self-advocacy.

Working with Staff  

• Work collaboratively as a member of the Retention Team including attending weekly team and all-staff meetings, completing one on one supervision, engaging in collaborative case conferencing, planning and executing community events, and managing financial client assistance commitments with consideration of a shared program budget.
• Meet regularly with JOIN housing placement workers in support of ongoing collaborative case planning and warm handoffs for new clients. Support participant rehousing processes.
• Embrace opportunities to both take the lead and be willing to be pulled in as support; work independently and collaboratively with equal investment.
• Participate in staffing of JOIN’s Dayspace community and resource center service and other organizational activities.
• Complete reporting, case notes, and expenditure data entry in a timely manner. Engage JOIN’s Finance and Data teams for technical assistance in support of completeness.
• Engage respectfully with all staff and be willing to collaborate, support each other, and approach conflict constructively
• Engage in JOIN’s equity and anti-racist work at the full-staff, program-specific, and individual professional level.
• Apply an equity lens to work with staff, service users, volunteers, donors, and community partners.

REQUIRED Education, Experience, Qualities, or Specialized Training

• Demonstrated respect for the value of diversity and equity; an ability to work with people from all backgrounds in an inclusive and equitable way.
• Experience providing culturally specific services is preferred.
• Experience building trusting relationships and collaborative efforts with diverse individuals and organizations.
• Experience working with people experiencing homelessness or other similar personal challenges.
• Commitment to non-violence and holistic responses.
• Must be self-motivated and have demonstrated ability to work well in an unstructured, team environment.
• Ability to work with or learn computer data entry programs and familiarity with Office Suite software.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of services provided.
• Must own or have access to a personal vehicle for daily use on the job.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record upon hire.
• Must be able to work occasionally in the evenings and on weekends (approximately twice per month).

Specific physical and mental performing elements:

Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs is helpful since we sometimes assist with moving our participants into and out of housing. 

Maintain composure to support occasional de-escalation situations and help maintain a welcoming and safe environment for all staff and community members. 

Equipment use:

Be well versed in using computers and smartphones. 

Core Competencies needed / the ability to:

• Agree that a commitment to equity and inclusion is fundamental to JOIN’s work.
• Support and contribute to JOIN’s goal of becoming an anti-racist organization.
• Support a diverse and inclusive environment where all people feel welcomed.

Equal Opportunity Employer

JOIN values the strengths that a diverse workforce offers and is committed to honoring the dignity of every individual. 

JOIN has an organizational commitment to equity and inclusion, and to ensure that programs and staff culture are equitable in both access, experience, and outcomes regardless of race, ethnicity, faith, culture, language, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship or immigration status, sexual orientation or family status

On behalf of the board, staff, and people we serve at JOIN, thank you for your interest in supporting our mission.

Salary : $25