Back at Home Housing Specialist (Catawba & Burke Counties, NC)

Partners Behavioral Health Management • Hickory, NC

109d

About The Position

This position performs qualified professional duties as assigned to assist with housing stabilization services for individuals experiencing homelessness. The Housing Specialist will be responsible for working within the guidelines of the Housing grant funded programs. The position is expected to independently establish work priorities and determine necessary activities to meet job requirements. Work is performed under the supervision of the MHSU Housing Manager. The Housing Specialist must be familiar with values and goals of department, require minimal daily instruction, have excellent customer service skills, excellent time management skills, be technologically proficient, have a strong attention to detail, and have access to a number of resources to acquire information when needed. This is a mobile position with work done in a variety of locations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services and two (2) years of post-degree MHSU experience or bachelor’s degree in a non-Human Service field and four (4) years of MHSU experience post-degree.
• Must have ability to travel.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with HUD or Emergency Solutions Grant funded homeless/homeless prevention programs.
• Experience using a Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).

Responsibilities

• Collaborate in daily activities and functions of MHSU Care Coordination Department.
• Assist with connecting grant program recipients to housing resources using strengths-based practices focused on participant engagement and needs of each household.
• Outreach and identify households not yet connected to the homeless service system, provide system navigation to connect them to services and benefits, support households as they identify and move to permanent housing, and assist them in maintaining their housing.
• Maintain required caseload and provide person-centered trauma informed services.
• Assist individuals experiencing homelessness in obtaining appropriate vital documents such as birth certificates, social security cards, and IDs.
• Develop and maintain connections in the community with housing resources and landlords.
• Recruit landlords to work with the program. Negotiate and assist with mediation with landlords on behalf of program participants.
• Collaborate in identifying housing barriers and provide resources to ensure that recipients have access to safe housing resources.
• Possess thorough knowledge of housing resources and programs to appropriately refer homeless and those at risk of homelessness.
• Educate about housing eligibility and linkage to core housing agencies and other providers, assisting providers with creative problem solving to suggest alternative approaches to housing.
• Track and report performance measures to supervisor as assigned and required by the grant.
• Attend training as needed to stay informed of changes in funding requirements and in evidence based/best/promising practices.
• Document accurately, comprehensively, and timely.
• Develop relationships with community stakeholders to streamline service provision to recipients of the program and to use professional resources efficiently; contact court system, law enforcement personnel, magistrates, homeless shelters and non-profit agencies within the community that interact with the recipient; coordinate community service planning and attends community stakeholder meetings.
• Identify and work with community partners to develop housing options to meet gaps in local affordable housing.
• Attend community meetings to educate on housing options including but not limited to Continuum of Care, SOC collaboratives, and provider forums as required.
• Works with local public housing authorities to open access for recipients.
• Completes other required reports; attendance at required meetings and trainings; and other administrative duties as assigned.
• Uphold the confidentiality of members/participants.
• Perform related tasks as assigned.

Benefits

• Annual incentive bonus plan
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with low deductible/low cost health plan
• Generous vacation and sick time accrual
• 12 paid holidays
• State Retirement (pension plan)
• 401(k) Plan with employer match
• Company paid life and disability insurance
• Wellness Programs
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Qualifying Employer

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: Bachelor's degree