FSC - Community Shelter Specialist

Community Shelter Specialist

The Community Shelter Specialist will be responsible for assisting individuals and families experiencing homelessness with resources to help them become more self-sufficient while they look for permanent housing options. This position will conduct assessments and will work with shelter waiting list participants to help eliminate barriers to housing opportunities and housing stability, including employment, increasing income, addressing mental/physical health, transportation, and community engagement. A successful candidate will be able to manage multiple people, build on the strengths of participants, develop person-centered plans, and connect participants with needed resources and services. Creative problem-solving, careful record-keeping, and strong community/landlord linkages and relationships will be key. Shelter waiting list participants are assessed for eligibility of shelter and offered various wrap-around resources. The Community Shelter Specialist will be located at the Shakopee CAP Agency offices and be the primary contact for those on the shelter waiting list and on the Coordinated Entry List.

*Diverse candidates with experience working with people experiencing homelessness or in social services and/or with lived experience of homelessness are encouraged to apply.

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

This position entails the following responsibilities and may include other duties as assigned:

• Assess people for Coordinated Entry by entering them into HMIS (Homeless Management Information System).
• Provide 90-day and 180-day updates in HMIS.
• Regularly attend Heading Home Scott-Carver Shelter planning meetings to assist in the creation of an effective, homeless response system.
• Identify participant strengths and barriers to stability to help ensure proper housing options.
• Develop a referral network of services and supports that assist with housing retention, including linkages for warm handoffs to specialists in employment, social service/county benefits, substance use issues, mental health, etc.
• Provide case management support to shelter waiting list participants and ensure services are individualized, culturally competent, goal-driven, strengths-based, and appropriate.
• Match shelter waiting list participants to appropriate housing options, always taking their needs and ability to generate income into account.
• Build relationships with program participants to learn their barriers to obtaining stable housing; keep the channels of communication open and be proactive about problem-solving.
• Maintain records and case notes for each participant, in Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and organization database and provide monthly progress reports to the supervisor.
• Build feasible, sustainable action plans with participants to help them locate housing options and break the cycle of homelessness.
• Prepare program participants for eventual self-sufficiency:
• Assist in finding resources to obtain necessary documents- license, state ID, birth certificates, Social Security Cards
• Build connections with potential employment opportunities and training programs.
• Send updated housing lists and housing resources to people on the shelter waiting list.
• Attend team meetings and trainings.

Mission Driven Competencies:

• Fostering Teamwork
• Continuous Improvement
• Communication
• Building Collaborative Relationships
• Customer Centered
• Analytical Thinking
• Use of Technology and information management

Minimum Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines

Experience working with individuals or families who are unhoused and/or from various social backgrounds. Special consideration given to bilingual candidates.

Knowledge of:

• Principles of trauma informed care, person centered theory and housing first.
• Principles of record keeping and record management
• Community resources and community programs

Skill in:

• Experience working with mental health and chemical dependent populations.
• Ability to provide accountability and compassion.
• Passion for serving people that are currently unhoused.
• Principles and practices of conflict resolution, customer service and outreach.
• Working effectively with persons of diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Maintaining composure and working effectively under stressful conditions.
• Effective verbal and written communication.

License and Certification Requirements:

A valid Minnesota State Driver's License, proof of insurance and review of Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) report is required.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

Work is performed in a standard office environment which requires occasionally lifting such articles as file boxes or heavier materials with help from others and/or lifting and carrying light objects frequently. Mobility to drive a motor vehicle in order to attend meetings. A job in this category may require walking or standing to a significant degree or may involve sitting most of the time with long periods of computer work and heavy phone usage.

Affirmative Action Policy: Scott, Carver, Dakota CAP Agency will not deny anyone the opportunities for training or employment because of sex, race, religion, color, creed, national origin, marital status, age, sexual preference, disability or status with regard to public assistance.

The Scott Carver Dakota CAP Agency is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and is committed to building a culturally diverse workforce.

Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm