Emergency Housing Assistance Specialist II

Emergency Housing Assistance Specialist

MISSION STATEMENT: To transform lives through love and service.

SUMMARY: The Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA) Specialist is a position to support the increase in the number of Veterans receiving assistance through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. The EHA Specialist is responsible for regular wellness checks on Veterans who were experiencing homelessness, sleeping outdoors and in places not meant for habitation, such as in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, encampments, and on the streets or staying in a congregate shelter and placed in a hotel by SVdP CARES.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job-related duties as required. Nothing in this job description restricts management's rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at this time)

• Conduct daily interactions with veteran to assess observance of hotel rules
• Verify the veteran meets all compliance requirements by hotel management
• Assist veteran in purchasing food and other supplies as needed
• Provide or coordinate any transportation needed by veteran
• Facilitate veteran's access to their assigned case manager
• Provide supportive counseling
• Track payments of hotel billings for the veteran
• Assist new referrals in accessing emergency housing assistance
• Support veteran in acclimating to the change in housing environment
• Assist veteran in leaving hotel for more permanent housing
• Complete paperwork and data reports as requested by the Program Manager, including use of HSMIS
• Build and maintain working relationships with community agencies to provide comprehensive services to participants

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Comply with all applicable training requirements
• Comply with all company safety, personnel and operational policies and procedures
• Comply with work schedule to ensure effective operations of Agency programs
• Contributes positively as a member of a productive and cooperative team
• Cary a case load for individuals in hotels
• Performs other duties as necessary to fulfill the St. Vincent de Paul CARES Mission

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: (To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.)

• Able to speak, write, and understand English
• Possess basic computer skills
• Must be sensitive to and respect cultural diversity amongst clients, staff and volunteers and able to work with diverse racial, ethnic and economic groups
• Flexible work schedule including evenings, nights, weekends and holidays
• Ability to set appropriate limits, work under deadlines, and multi-task
• Ability to organize, prioritize, self-motivate, and deliver results
• Excellent communication and listening skills
• Possess strong work ethics
• Successfully pass Law Enforcement background screening
• Valid Florida driver's license if driving an agency vehicle or a personal vehicle for company business
• Must have reliable transportation
• Participate in Agency Performance Quality Improvement (PQI) program and Accreditation/ Reaccreditation process
• Mission-driven attitude supplemented with integrity and passion
• Adherence to the highest ethical standards, personally and professionally
• A high level of openness and willingness to receive feedback/suggestions from superiors and others, and to learn new skills to improve job performance
• Evidence of deep alignment with the St. Vincent de Paul CARES Mission and Values
• This position requires a Level 2 background screening through the Florida Background Screening Clearinghouse. For more information on screening requirements, process, and disqualifying offenses, please visit the official Clearinghouse Education and Awareness website.

ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: (To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.)

• Basic knowledge of the resources in the community available for the veteran population, especially services and programs offered by the VA
• Have basic knowledge of severe and persistent mental illness and substance abuse
• Ability to form partnerships in the community and seek out community resources
• Strong oral and written communications
• Strong organizational, time management, and data management skills
• Proven ability to work effectively both individually and as part of a team
• Ability to multi-task and problem solve under pressure
• Ability to provide positive customer service to difficult populations

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: (Pending on position and if prior to hire is approved by Chief Executive Officer, a comparable amount of training, education or experience may be substituted for the minimum education qualifications)

• Prior military experience is preferred, but not required

GENERAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS: These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation can be made, if appropriate, to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of job. Working in an office/site requires prolonged sitting at the computer workstation; standing, bending, reaching, lifting up to 40lbs. and some driving. Requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate standard office machines such as computers, fax machines, calculators, telephones, and other office equipment. It is also required to regularly sit, speak, and listen, the employee is also required to walk, use hands and fingers to type, operate equipment, and maintain records and notes. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

MENTAL DEMANDS: Must handle new and diverse work problems on a daily basis. Personal maturity is an important attribute. Must be able to resolve problems, handle conflict, and make effective decisions under pressure. Must have the ability to listen objectively to people, perceive the real problem and assist in bringing issues to a successful conclusion. Must relate and interact with, volunteers, clients, contractors, visitors and employees at all levels within the Agency.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Environment will occasionally become noisy due to equipment operations and interactions among clients and staff. There may be the possibility of being exposed to communicable disease, possible exposure to verbal abuse or similar behavior from residents/clients. On an as needed basis, employees may be called upon to work outside of the established work schedule or work odd hours. All information associated with the Agency is confidential.

St. Vincent de Paul CARES is an Equal Opportunity Employer.