Homeless Strategy Specialist

City of Asheville•Asheville, NC

About The Position

The City of Asheville is hiring a full-time Homeless Strategy Specialist for the Homeless Strategy Division within the Housing and Economic Development Department. The division serves as the designated Lead Agency for the Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care (CoC), a community-based collaborative planning body coordinating the homelessness response, and provides backbone support to the CoC Board, Membership, Committees, and Work Groups. The specialist manages a portfolio of initiatives and serves as primary staff to multiple committees, working with their chairs on planning, processes, and administration. The role advances collaboration and system integration across homelessness services and health systems; manages data, reporting, funding, and compliance work; and supports evaluation, training, technical assistance, and community governance. The position requires independent work as well as collaboration with community members, stakeholders, service providers, and internal departments.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree with major work in human services, social sciences, project management, community development, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Three years of relevant experience in homeless or housing services, such as nonprofit work, social work, or project planning.
Ability to obtain, interpret, evaluate, audit, and apply quantitative or qualitative data and identify patterns and appropriate actions.
Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with individuals and groups, including through persuasion, facilitation, and professional relationship-building.
Ability to operate and adapt tools, equipment, and technology systems required for the work.
Ability to understand, interpret, and communicate complex information using reference, descriptive, advisory, or policy-related materials.
Ability to apply mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning appropriate to the responsibilities.
Ability to use independent judgment and professional knowledge to develop solutions and approaches.
Ability to exercise judgment and adapt to evolving or subjective circumstances.
Ability to analyze information, evaluate alternatives, anticipate consequences, and develop logical solutions.

Nice To Haves

Five years of relevant experience in homeless or housing services, such as nonprofit work, social work, or project planning.

Responsibilities

Lead collaborative planning and system integration initiatives to coordinate clinical care and homeless services.
Serve as the primary liaison between the Continuum of Care and physical, behavioral, and community health systems.
Facilitate community networks and strategic interventions, including planning and administering specialized funding for intersecting public health and housing crises.
Manage data collection, analysis, and reporting using enterprise management information systems.
Recruit and onboard participating agencies, oversee data quality improvement, and submit cyclical federal, state, and local reports.
Co-lead development of system performance benchmarks, analyze outcomes, and collaborate with internal departments on public-facing dashboards.
Administer annual funding cycles, grant applications, and administrative processes for targeted Continuum of Care and Emergency Solutions programs.
Develop and manage annual operational calendars, oversee specialized funding contracts, and coordinate documentation for complete, high-quality regulatory submissions.
Monitor and evaluate compliance of funded projects and regional grantees.
Conduct annual system evaluations, including race equity and coordinated entry evaluations.
Maintain expertise in applicable regulations, complete environmental reviews, and ensure community and departmental activities meet federal and local requirements.
Develop and deliver training and technical assistance for community members, stakeholders, and service providers.
Identify capacity-building needs, create training materials, and manage an annual training calendar covering behavioral health interventions, system onboarding, and policy implementation.
Research and implement best practices to improve service system operations.
Convene and facilitate community meetings, workgroups, and governance boards; provide staff support and present educational materials.
Identify strategic initiatives to improve outcomes and manage projects from needs assessment through implementation.
Perform other related duties as required or assigned.