What are the responsibilities and job description for the MSC Housing Specialist position at The Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida?
Position: Housing Specialist
Reports To: Manager of Housing
Status: Full Time Hourly
OVERVIEW: Under the Direct supervision of the Manager of Housing Specialists, the Housing Specialist will provide housing focused specialized services to homeless individuals, and families. The Housing Specialist will be using housing first approach, and best practices in all interactions with guests. The Housing Specialist follows established low barrier guidelines to create a safe and stable environment for individuals and families entering the program. The Housing Specialist should adopt and practice the following models; Trauma Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, Progressive Engagement, Person Centered Case Planning, Harm Reduction, among others HF emerging models. The Housing Specialist requires a high degree of ethic, compassion, professionalism, commitment, flexibility, accountability, and adaptability in order to effectively uphold Coalition Values and maintain an environment of dignity, respect and cooperation.
Key Responsibilities:
- Maintain an approximate caseload of 25 to 35 guests.
- Facilitate immediate needs connections such as resources on housing, relocation, family reintegration and other creative solutions. Also connection with mainstream benefits such as support with enrollment and/or employment opportunities to increase income and linkages to community resources while seeking affordable housing options.
- Evaluate cases in HMIS immediately towards identifying individual options such as Chronic Homelessness, Disabilities, Diversion Services Provided, Double Dipping of providers, HOPWA eligibility, YOUTH RRH, etc.
- Attend HSN registry meetings for chronic homelessness and or rapid re-housing as needed.
- Coordinate meeting with newly assigned or transferred guests immediately.
- Work collaboratively to develop a Housing Personalized Plan (HPP) with guests towards identifying housing options and or creative solutions to homelessness crisis, based on individual preferences, choices and strengths.
- Complete monthly exit reports in U Drive based in case summaries thoroughness.
- Evaluate and adjust Housing Plan any time action steps are completed and new goals/steps arise. Requires accountability and ongoing follow up’s.
- Empower guests to become proactively involved in their own housing planning and goals setting while motivating them constantly.
- Complete case notes on every face to face/ telephone/email contact with guest or collateral contact within 24 hours.
- Complete all individual service transactions in HMIS.
- Regularly schedule appointments with guests to ensure that they are on target with their Housing Plan.
- Maintain and submit data required for all monthly reports, including VOCA, referrals, etc.
- Distribute referrals as needed and check with referral agencies for follow up information when needed. Referral’s may include resources for immediate housing placement, day care, tangible goods, health care, employment programs, and behavioral health among others.
- Work in collaboration with programs and all other agency staff to facilitate a team environment and effective guest oriented quality services.
- Maintain client files accordingly to grants requirements. (Case Notes, Case Plan, Incomes, Budget, Housing, etc.
- Request “Staffing Sessions” to Supervisor of Housing Initiatives. Bring Staffing case notes or details to the meeting towards a better advocacy and general presentation of the case.
- Read communication book every day and address matters concerning to your guests in a timely proactive manner.
- Participate and Follow up Dorms Inspections findings in a regular basis.
- Consistent role model effective team player behaviors.
- Demonstrate effective communication skills in building relationships with all coworkers and guests.
- Availability to “Fill in” or support other guests as needed.
- Maintain strict confidentiality of all agency information. Including guests, colleagues, agency process, etc.
- Immediately address and investigate all Incident Reports involving your guests and document thoroughly on service point.
- Conduct cases discharges before 3 PM.
- Assist with the general operations as assigned by the Director of Case Management.
- Adhere to Coalition policies, procedures, and best practices.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent number of college credits in a social services field.
- Degrees from other disciplines will be accepted given the candidate provides evidence of prior experience that would allow them to competently perform the primary duties listed below. Candidate should have at least 3 years of documented case management/housing experience.
- Individuals that have been working in the field, but do not possess a degree will be considered if they have two or more years of experience in the field of homeless services.
- Homeless services, case management, mental health, permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing experience preferred.
- Must be proficient in written and verbal communication.
- The ability to effectively serve a very diverse population with substantial knowledge in the areas of conflict resolution, critical thinking and problem solving.
- Bi-lingual candidates and veterans are encouraged to apply.
REQUIRED SKILLS:
- Ability to manage a work schedule and keep appointments as scheduled.
- Ability to solve problems, make decisions, resolve conflicts and LISTEN.
- Ability to work under pressure and tight time lines
- Computer skills including Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and Word with the ability to learn new programs.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to be compassionate and firm and always maintain confidentiality.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks.
- Ability to employ organizational skills effectively.
- Ability to complete and analyze documentation such as case notes.
- Ability to communicate effectively.
- Ability to compute basic mathematical functions.
- Ability to develop a staff: guest rapport.
Disclaimer: This job description does not imply that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee in this position. The employee will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. This description excludes the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to essential job duties. All duties, responsibilities, and requirements are vital to the job. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at-will" employment relationship.
