Service Coordinator
About The Position
The Service Coordinator assists Houston Housing Authority residents and families in overcoming barriers to employment and economic self-sufficiency. The role conducts interviews and needs assessments, develops service plans with clients, provides case management and crisis support, and connects residents with community resources. The coordinator also develops and evaluates resident programs, maintains household and program records, and serves as a liaison between the Housing Authority, residents, and service providers. The position reports to the Assistant Director, Economic Initiatives. Work is primarily sedentary and office-based, with visits to housing developments, residents’ homes, community centers, meeting locations, and other agencies. Travel of 15–25% is required, along with dependable transportation. The employee may encounter weather extremes and hazards associated with housing developments. Work outside usual hours, including more than 40 hours a week, may be required as resident activities necessitate. Employment is contingent upon the availability of grant funding.
Requirements
- Knowledge of pertinent HUD regulations and public housing management, and comprehensive knowledge of Houston Housing Authority policies and procedures.
- Good interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
- Ability to motivate clients through individual or group counseling.
- Ability to develop and maintain relationships with community groups, educational institutions, resident councils, residents, and employees.
- Comprehensive knowledge of social work and resources available through community agencies.
- Ability to work independently under considerable pressure without close supervision while maintaining effective and accurate performance.
- Five years of related case management experience with low-income individuals may substitute for the preferred degree requirement.
- Must be bondable.
- Valid Texas driver’s license, or ability to obtain one within the first 30 days of employment.
- Eligibility for coverage under Houston Housing Authority fleet auto insurance.
- Willingness and ability to travel 15–25% of the time and have dependable transportation.
- Ability to work unusual hours, including more than 40 hours a week when required by resident activities.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, Psychology, or a related field.
- Bilingual ability in English and fluency in Chinese, Vietnamese, Cantonese, or Spanish.
Responsibilities
- Conduct interviews with Houston Housing Authority residents and assess their needs.
- Help families design plans for economic self-sufficiency and provide individual, family, or small-group assistance.
- Help clients mobilize personal and environmental resources and address attitudes or behavior that affect social functioning and employability.
- Refer clients to community resources and other organizations.
- Compile and maintain records, prepare reports, and keep an updated file for each household, including resident profiles, historical reports, case management forms, and referral documents.
- Review service plans and follow up to assess service quality and quantity and determine case status.
- Visit clients in their homes and at Houston Housing Authority properties; conduct office visits and phone contacts.
- Develop methods to encourage resident participation in training and employment programs.
- Coordinate human service programs, including outreach, information, referrals, and evaluation of program effectiveness.
- Develop and maintain community resources and referral systems between the Housing Authority and community organizations.
- Provide counseling and supportive assistance to residents in crisis.
- Serve as a liaison between the Housing Authority and support service providers, and foster constructive relationships between residents and the Authority.
- Prepare requested Housing Authority reports accurately and on time.
- Attend meetings with the Housing Authority’s primary partners, United Way, and other community resources.
- Maintain informational links with civic, community, and social services organizations in target areas.
- Prepare an informational packet for new residents covering resident responsibilities, local social-service agencies, civic and community organizations and clubs, and emergency and medical numbers.
- Perform case management, including information and referrals, rent assistance, needs assessment, action-plan development, referral follow-up, appointment setting, and periodic home or telephone contact.
- Maintain statistical data to monitor program objectives and goals.
- Develop and conduct resident and community surveys and evaluate their results.
- Establish a follow-up system for resident information and referrals.
- Conduct site visits to training programs to evaluate their effectiveness.
- Evaluate resident needs and recommend supportive services to the Housing Authority.
- Coordinate transportation for field trips and accompany residents on trips.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
