FSS Service Coordinator

Jacksonville Housing Authority•Jacksonville, FL

9d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is funded through a Family Self-Sufficiency Program (Program) Grant from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) and is expected to last for a period of up to one (1) year from the start date. The continuation of this position is entirely dependent on the renewal or extension of the grant. If the grant funding is not renewed, the position will be eliminated, and employment will end at that time. Job Summary Plan, implement, direct, and evaluate the Program in accordance with HUD and JHA regulations and guidelines. Exercise sounds judgement in recruiting, interviewing, and screening prospective program participants. Develop measurable action plans; and provide counseling and guidance for Section 8 and Public Housing participants to assist in reaching self-sufficiency goals.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Sociology, Business Administration, or a closely related human services field.
2–3 years of hands-on case management, social services, or housing program.
Obtain a HUD-recognized FSS Certification within one year of employment.
Must be insurable by JHA’s insurance and possess a valid Florida Driver’s License and maintain throughout employment.
Strong knowledge of community and workforce development resources, and excellent communication skills.
Strong knowledge of the principles and practices of social work and employment counseling
Knowledge of HUD and local housing authority regulations, policies, and procedures
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, copier, printer and fax
Knowledge of the principles of communication
Knowledge of computer operation, hardware, and software
Ability to counsel low-income participants regarding employment and goals
Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions
Ability to read, understand, and apply HUD and organizational rules, policies, procedures, and instructions
Ability to instruct individuals on the operation of computers and basic office equipment
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the participants, businesses, and other organizations
Ability to interact with participants, businesses, and educational institutions in obtaining and providing information in a polite and efficient manner, both in person, and on the telephone
Ability to use sound judgment in order to make decisions in accordance with established procedures and guidelines
Skilled in analyzing situations in order to identify problems and offer possible solutions
Skill in communicating orally and in writing with participants, businesses, and other organizations in order to obtain and provide information
Commitment: Sets high standards of performance; pursues aggressive goals and works hard/smart to achieve them; strives for results and success; conveys a sense of urgency and brings issues to closure; and persists despite obstacles and opposition.
Customer Service: Meets/exceeds the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; identifies, understands, monitors, and measures the needs of both internal and external customers; talks and acts with customers in mind; and recognizes working colleagues as customers.
Effective Communication : Ensures important information is passed to those who need to know; conveys the necessary information clearly and effectively orally or in writing; demonstrates attention to, and conveys understanding of, the comments and questions of others; and listens effectively. Demonstrates clear understanding of the Program and the ability to highlight the goals and benefits to participants.
Responsiveness and Accountability: Demonstrates a high level of conscientiousness; hold oneself personally responsible for one's own work; and does a fair share of work.
Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts the success of team above own interests; supports everyone's efforts to succeed; attends, supports, and participates in all team building exercises and events.
ADAPTABLE/FLEXIBLE SKILLS : Ability to work additional hours if required and work with pressing deadlines and is task oriented. Proactively seeks work assignments when current assignments are completed—takes initiative.

Responsibilities

Qualify participants for participation in the program, establish goals, identify needs and coordinate services: Case Management & Coaching: Conduct comprehensive needs assessments and help participants set short- and long-term educational, career, and financial goals.
Resource Connection: Act as a bridge between participants and local agencies to provide access to job training, childcare, transportation, and debt management.
Escrow Account Management: Calculate and manage escrow savings accounts, which grow as a participant’s earned income increases, and determine fund distribution upon successful program completion.
Network Building: Assist in the Development of a Program Coordinating Committee (PCC) made up of local bankers, educators, and workforce advisors to maximize support for participants.
Reporting & Compliance: Maintain detailed records, track participant progress, and submit statistical data and reports to the Supervisor and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as directed.
Interview prospective participants for the program and determine eligibility based on program guidelines.
Identify needs and barriers to the achievement of self-sufficiency/aging in place in the areas of education, job training, childcare, transportation, credit repair, substance abuse, counseling, etc.
Administer an efficient intake process to include interviewing prospective participants to determine eligibility based on guidelines; and completing applications, program, and HUD forms accurately.
Assess service needs of program participants, and through goal setting, referrals and monitoring to assist participants in accessing appropriate public or private community agencies to obtain specialized types of assistance in the areas of health care, childcare, chemical dependency, mental health, legal issues, domestic violence, budgeting, food insecurity, utilities assistance, and transportation, etc.
Participate in ongoing financial literacy, family-centered coaching, housing, and other FSS related education to enhance knowledge and skills related to successful case management and financial coaching.
Research and develop ongoing community resources relevant to low-income people working on economic goals.
Maintain all case files following confidentiality guidelines.
Review case records and meet with participants regularly to update and monitor client needs, assess progress toward achieving goals, and make referrals, as necessary.
Monitor and balance participant escrow savings accounts.
Ensure compliance with participant annual re-certification, process interim withdrawal requests, adjustments, terminations, and graduations according to HUD guidelines and program policies.
Maintain data regarding FSS services and accomplishments and prepare reports summarizing these service data for use by JHA, HUD, and the community of providers assisting with the delivery of services.
Recruit participants and market the Program through various avenues such as oral presentations and written marketing materials.
Assist with the development and implementation of FSS curriculum, programming, activities, networking, and graduation events, etc.
Develop individual service plans with participants and assist in coordinating services with other agencies.
Network with groups/agencies to identify resources.
Coordinate workshops on a variety of topics by arranging for leaders, informing participants, arranging for space, etc.
Meets with participants regularly to assess progress toward achieving goals, determine if additional barriers exist, provide additional services as needed, and maintain related records: Meet monthly with participants to counsel them on areas of education, employment, credit and family needs, to identify needs and barriers to self-sufficiency and provide individualized counseling, family counseling, budget and money management sessions, career counseling, and other services.
Refer participants to agencies for needed services.
Monitor and evaluate participant progress, prepare progress reports, obtain transcripts, employment data and family composition changes.
Promote JHA Education Programs such as Incentive Awards, Hicks, etc.
Provide basic job retention and career counseling.
Maintain appropriate files and case notes.
Complete monthly statistics report, including services provided, number of participants in workshops, training, etc.