Housing Support Specialist

Orangewood Foundation•Santa Ana, CA

10h

About The Position

The Housing Support Specialist assists and coordinates housing supportive services to meet the needs of youth experiencing homelessness by developing housing and service plans through case management. In this position, the Specialist also enrolls youth into the Coordinated Entry System, maintain enrollments, and provide linkages to external services to connect participants to additional long term housing resources. When considering this job opportunity, please be aware that the role may involve high stress levels due to mitigating participant crises and potential exposure to vicarious trauma. It is essential to prioritize self-care and seek appropriate support when needed.

Requirements

High School diploma and a minimum of 2 years of related experience or a bachelor’s degree in related field (Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, etc.)
Demonstrate a moderate understanding of Trauma Informed Care, challenges/barriers with TAY population, resources available within Orange County community.
Ability and flexibility to work in a high crisis, fast paced environment.
High tolerance and respect for youth survival actions, while promoting harm reduction strategies.
Excellent listening and interpersonal skills and ability to establish rapport with young adults who may be difficult to engage within different community settings.
Effective communication skills including writing, public speaking, and conflict resolution/mediation skills.
Highly motivated, willing to learn, and able to work independently at times.
Proficient in Microsoft Office applications: Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point.
Homeless Management Information System database preferred.
A Plum.io assessment is a required part of the application process, and your application will not be considered complete until the assessment is submitted. Visit this link to learn more: https://www.plum.io/about

Responsibilities

Provide trauma informed, strength-based, person centered case management services that include assessment of needs, safety planning, advocacy, referrals to supportive services and relationship building and empowerment.
Assist participants with navigating and accessing housing options through the Coordinated Entry System/HMIS database, link to YE program funded partners and other programs as needed.
Provide ongoing support to assigned case load by coaching and teaching life skills.
Maintain strong documentation skills and submit all documentation within a 24-hour time frame.
Collaborate with TAY shelters to ensure that residents are connected with resources and transition to long term housing.
Build lasting relationships with partner agencies to ensure that we continue to build a network of resources to support our participants.
Support participants with community-based housing resources such as emergency, transitional and long-term housing. Always provide a warm handoff when introducing a participant to a new housing resource.
Provide encouragement, positive role modeling and life skills through ‘teachable’ moments while assisting participants in exploring and resolving issues related to their situation.
Use Motivational Interviewing (MI) as a collaborative, goal oriented, and person-centered approach to support participants’ positive behavior change.
Provide crisis intervention to participants and actively engage with them to reduce risky behaviors by creating verbal/written safety plans and implementing the ‘Stages of Change’, encouraging participants’ autonomy in their decisions, and providing non-judgmental care.
Engage in community outreach to identify partners who will best support program participants and their goals.
Support the Orangewood Resource Center with hands on coverage, as needed.
Additional duties as assigned by direct supervisor.