Title: Housing Stabilization Specialist

Location: Brookings, OR

Program: Essential Services

Reports to: Housing Coordinator HR Contact: hr@orcca.us

Pay Level: Starting at $17.43 hourly, DOE

Staff Supervised: None

FSLA Status: Non-exempt from overtime

Effective: 9/24/2021

Position Type: Full-Time Revised: 12/23

External Applicants: Please submit an employment application, cover letter and resume on our website, www.orcca.us or to hr@orcca.us.

Internal Applicants: Please submit a letter of interest and resume to hr@orcca.us.

Job Description

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

The Housing Stabilization Specialist provides case management to individuals and households experiencing homelessness with a focus on high utilizers of social systems in Coos and Curry Counties who have high needs and extensive barriers accessing housing. Barriers may include but not limited to mental health, substance use disorders, and medical illnesses. The Housing Stabilization Specialist will lead an intensive case coordination effort with multiple agencies and must be able to collaborate with other service providers to ensure services are being utilized effectively for each client. The position must be able to adapt quickly to changing circumstances and conditions of clients served in order meet immediate needs while also partnering with clients to find solutions to the barriers that are affecting their ability to be stable in long term housing.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Reason position exists is to perform these functions):

·    Provide direct services to households with high needs and extensive barriers including crisis intervention, safety planning, emotional support, parenting support, and advocacy. Adapt to clients’ ever-changing issues and barriers by utilizing trauma informed care and harm reduction models of services.

·    Provide clients with information and referrals to assist with their stabilization process from previously being homeless. Help clients access needed resources by having knowledge of and positive professional relationships with community programs and service providers. Areas of focus include employment services, educational programs such as GED courses, Literacy Council/English as a second language tutoring, parenting classes, vocational rehabilitation/retraining, mental health services, medical and dental services, drug and alcohol treatment centers, domestic violence resources, consumer credit and budgeting classes, food banks, etc.

·    Coordinates efforts with local government, public entities, non-profit organizations, private business, healthcare, law enforcement, faith community partners, community stakeholders, and people with lived experience of homelessness.

·    This position will facilitate the alignment and integration of homelessness initiatives, policies, programs, services, and funding.

·    Assist clients in discovering and creating community and natural support systems.

·    Use progressive engagement with clients utilizing skills of trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and strength-based coaching. Provide the appropriate level of services, starting with the least intensive service and increasing service level as needed.

·    Help each household develop a Housing Stabilization Plan which is a partnership between the household and Housing Stabilization Specialist but monitored by the HHS through regular appointments to ensure progress.

·    Work with clients to assure lease requirements are fulfilled, tenant pays in timely manner and encourage positive renter behavior. Mediate with landlords to help tenant maintain housing. Communicate on a regular basis with clients, property owners, or other concerned parties on any concerns or issues.

·   Enter data accurately; write complete case notes; and prepare written reports

·   Read and understand program guidelines and forms required by funder/s and submits timely monthly reports.

·   Maintain client files, update HMIS regularly, keep accurate case notes and keep other required records.

·   Maintain an integral relationship with other housing staff and be an active team member. Participate in a team-oriented approach by attending team meetings.

·   Keep immediate supervisor promptly and fully informed of all problems or unusual matters of significance and take prompt corrective action when necessary or suggest alternative courses of action which may be taken. Maintain Family Development Specialist certification through continuing education.

·   Communicate and collaborate with service providers across multiple agencies to efficiently match care and assistance for clients. Outside agencies will be a part of the service team at various points and the Housing Stabilization Specialist must maintain good working relationships with partners throughout the time they are involved

·   Maintains professional standards as outlined in Family Development Specialist Code of Ethics

·   Adhere to agency policies and practices including confidentiality, mandatory reporting, and ethical standards.

·   Actively engage and support Diversity, Equity and Inclusion activities and inclusion in all work.

·   Responsible for personal safety, reporting incidents or accidents within a reasonable amount of time to supervisor or Safety Committee at Safetycommittee@orcca.us.

·   Responsible for picking up after oneself and maintaining company owned equipment. Report damaged or malfunction equipment to supervisor, facilities maintenance, or HR.

·   Performs other duties as assigned.

TEAM EXPECTATIONS:

Teamwork - We join our individual strengths together creating teams and circles of cooperation to promote innovative thinking and bring opportunity to our community.

Partnerships - We create collaborative community partnerships to best leverage all resources available for the benefit of the community.

Diversity - We welcome and accept differences and honor our co-workers and clients by treating each person with equality, dignity, and respect.

Confidentiality & Ethics - We maintain a high standard of ethics and integrity to respect the confidentiality of clients and staff.

Physical Safety - We respond promptly to address health and safety needs or concerns for clients and staff.

Communications - We encourage timely, open-minded, respectful, and direct communication to alleviate controversies and foster a safe, productive workplace.

Health & Sustainability - Recognizing the importance of physical, emotional, and environmental health, we seek to inspire and model healthy, sustainable living.

Public Relations - We recognize that each of us represents the entire agency in our public interactions and strive to act in a consistently professional and unbiased manner.

Professional Growth - We provide an environment supportive to personal and professional growth, cross training, and advancement.

INDIVIDUAL EXPECTATIONS:

• Model behaviors that demonstrate an understanding, acceptance and welcoming of diversity.
• Attend staff meetings, center meetings, and/or other workshops/meetings as notified.
• Maintain a positive attitude regarding ORCCA and all its programs.
• Maintain respect and positive communication regarding all children, families and staff.
• Maintain confidentiality of client and staff information.
• Maintain open, two-way communication with staff.
• Accept suggestions and guidance from supervisor and other management staff.
• Seek feedback on job performance and evaluate suggestions and guidance to incorporate in performance.
• Commit to further training. Develop an individual training plan using program tools, as appropriate.
• Communicate with supervisor regarding any needed changes or concerns with work schedule.
• Adhere to agency procedures as a mandated child abuse reporter.
• Regular attendance is a requirement of the position.
• Ability to perform the job with or without reasonable accommodations.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABLILITIES:

• Must have excellent communication skills and telephone etiquette.
• Must be customer service oriented.
• Must have positive outlook and be able to work with people in crisis.
• Must be MS Office Suite literate.
• Must have basic accounting/budgeting skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work in excess of eight hours per day and evenings as required with possible weekend (not often).
• Ability to sit for as long as four hours at a time.
• Ability to drive and travel throughout service area.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organization and time management skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to present and relate to diverse client populations.
• Professional appearance, presentation and demeanor always.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Experience working in social services, with low-income families or crisis situations preferred.
• High School Diploma or equivalent required
• All combinations of vocational/post-secondary education, experience and/or training will be
•  

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Geographic Area: Coos, Curry, and Coastal Douglas Counties Primary worksite: Coos Bay, Oregon.
• May move or lift items up to 51 pounds.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Primarily indoors, in a climate-controlled environment; may not have access to sunlight. Occasional activities outside in a non-climate-controlled environment.
• Potential for open workstations and cubicles with moderate to high noise; work from home where available.
• Some travel-Required ODL and proof of insurance (ORCCA Policy).

OTHER:

• Reliable method of getting to work.
• Must be free from illegal drugs, may be subject to suspicion testing.
• Must be able to pass the State of Oregon Criminal Background Check.
• A current Oregon Driver’s License is required.
• Proof of automobile liability insurance @ $100,000/300,000 liability limits and maintain such limits.

NOTE: The specific statements reflected in each section of this position description are not intended to be all-conclusive, but rather the basic elements and criteria considered being necessary in order to satisfactorily perform the duties associated with the position. Your employment with ORCCA is at will. This means your employment is for an indefinite period of time and it is subject to termination by you or Employer with or without cause, with or without notice, and at any time.

Oregon Coast Community Action is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ORCCA does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operation.

Please inform Human Resources at 541-435-7090 or hr@orcca.us if you require a reasonable accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of this job.