Housing Placement Specialist

Responsibilities Hyacinth AIDS Foundation’s mission is to help people live with HIV, stop the spread of the epidemic, and serve as a critical voice in the public debate surrounding AIDS in New Jersey. The following foundational behaviors are expected as an employee of Hyacinth: General Responsibilities Service / Customer Services Consistently demonstrates respect, responsiveness, and professionalism towards others while providing superior service for our clients. Treats each customer as a priority Respects each customer’s right to quality service, confidentiality, and dignity. Works with co‑workers to ensure integration of services Displays a welcoming, helpful attitude to customers Establishes and maintains personal boundaries in clinical supervision with customers or co‑workers Community / Teamwork Actively cooperates within the region and/or program and participates in the constructive resolution of conflict. Focuses on improving communication and collaboration Tries to understand the other person’s point of view when there is a challenge Works with all regional staff to provide a full continuum of services to customers. Understands local community resources and can make appropriate referrals. Is clear and tactful when collaborating and working with others. Leadership Assuming responsibility for one’s own self in the workplace and exhibiting commitment to the customer and agency. Takes pride in his/her/their work Advances Hyacinth’s reputation for excellence. Incorporates boundaries and ethical guidelines into decision making. Employees of the Agency may learn certain facts about individuals being served by the Agency that are of a highly personal and confidential nature. Examples of such information are medical conditions, sexual orientation, relations with family members and other individuals. All such information must be treated as completely confidential. All staff are required to conform to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) guidelines which require the protection of personal health information. Position Summary Under the supervision of the Regional Services Manager, performs duties relating to the counseling of customers regarding housing services and providing information and referral services as needed. Housing Specialist works with customers in need of short‑term housing and/or utility service needs to maintain stable and affordable housing, including identifying long‑term permanent housing plans. Housing Specialist will connect customers with services, provide peer‑solving support and linkage to care that helps PLWH and people receiving PrEP treatment achieve the goal of living independently. Approximate Percentage of Time 70% Customer Services Provide Housing Navigation statewide, with a focus on Paterson in Passaic County, Plainfield in Union County, and Trenton in Mercer County Provide housing case management and counseling Identify permanent housing for customers. Determine eligibility for applications for short‑term and/or long‑term safe and affordable housing assistance. Assist customers with placement in transitional housing. Identify and develop relationships with landlords to identify long‑term rental options for customers Negotiate with landlords and provide complete assistance with lease and other documents. Complete required paperwork for emergency financial assistance (rental and utility) Provide Daily Living Skills training and counseling to customers of the program. Provide Housing Retention Counseling to customers of the program. Refer customers to ensure connection to medical care. Collaborate with primary care providers and MCM staff to identify newly diagnosed patients in need of housing support. Documentation of baseline viral load, CD4 count, AIDS diagnosis and antiretroviral prescriptions for 100% of clients. Conduct counseling sessions with clients pertaining to housing needs, options, and social service referrals. Provide housing case management to clients, aligning clients with appropriate service providers throughout the service area. Develop and implement outreach activities including networking with other community‑based organizations, support groups, religious organizations, etc. Participate in outreach activities for high‑risk groups. Reporting / Monitoring Establish, maintain and update case records using approved agency forms and procedures. Ensure confidentiality of all records. Prepare monthly reports in accordance with agency policies and procedures. Refer and advocate for placement in permanent and transitional housing programs Maintain and update customer information in eCOMPAS and CAREWare 10% Hyacinth representation/advocacy Hyacinth Representation / Advocacy Attend and participate in staff meetings and supervisory conferences Maintain working relationships with other community providers Observe established administrative procedures. Provide written reports and maintain statistics as required Represent the agency at community events, meetings and conferences Attend and participate in staff training opportunities. Adhere to Hyacinth policies and procedures including client confidentiality provisions 5% Training and certifications Training and Certifications Participate local COC Other Duties Maintain working relationships with other community providers Observe established administrative procedures Assist in preparation of written and electronic reports, maintaining records and statistics of program data as required. Assist with group activities, outreach events and other program informal and formal social events. An ideal candidate must have flexibility to work nights and some weekends as needed. Demonstrates understanding of objectives, duties and responsibilities in accordance with the job description. Understands job responsibilities and keeps current on skills and information needed to meet new challenges Works with team leader/manager on areas of job responsibilities that are unclear. Delivers quality results and balances priorities to meet all project and team commitments in a timely manner. Serves as a steward of the public’s trust and money. Takes responsibility for timely decisions and actions. Routinely checks for accuracy in his/her own work. Evaluates how well an event or program was completed (i.e. attendance and target audience specifications, asks clients to rate effectiveness, asks people what was good and what can be better next time). Disseminates relevant information about decisions, plans and activities to team leaders and supervisors. Informs team leaders and/or managers about decisions that affect work. Recognizes problems and complaints and escalates to team leaders and/ou managers when necessary. Requirements Required Minimum Education Associate’s Degree Required Years of Related Experience 1-3 years Social services/community services Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Active listening skills Lease Agreements Ability to provide budgeting and ADL education to clients People Management Experience Supervisory experience is not required. Preferred Minimum Education Bachelor's degree and one-year previous office experience. A candidate who has no degree but seems exceptionally suitable will be considered if he/she/they can demonstrate additional years of relevant office systems experience. Fluency in verbal and written Spanish Other Candidate must have excellent oral presentation and writing skills. Expressed commitment to Hyacinth philosophy Preferred Area of Expertise Experience working in communities in Passaic and Union Counties as well as the city of Trenton. Knowledge of housing resources. Preferred Related Industry Experience Housing Market Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Must be knowledgeable about working with PLWH and/or at‑risk communities. Must be culturally competent and sensitive to the varying socio‑cultural factors that contribute to the HIV infections in New Jersey. Must be able to work non‑traditional hours and days including late nights and weekends in order to reach high risk populations. Key Working Relationships Internal Hyacinth’s leadership team, training and cross departmental collaboration & communication External Clients, funders, medical providers and other social support providers #J-18808-Ljbffr Hyacinth AIDS Foundation Inc.