Housing Specialist

Job title: Housing Specialist

Reports to: Director of Social Services/Program Director

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt / Full Time

Date Issued: March 2021

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Housing Specialist is responsible for permanent housing placement for all families of the shelter. The Housing Specialist will have an assigned caseload and will be responsible for the successful placement of the families in accordance with HPCDC/Tilden Hall and other agency requirements.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Principal Duties & Responsibly:

Family: Intake / Case Management

• Meet with the family within 48 hours of their arrival to the facility; assess their housing needs and eligibility for subsidized housing. Assist the family in obtaining the needed documentation to obtain permanent housing.
• Complete Initial Housing Plan, and progress notes in the Uniform Client Chart.
• Ensure supporting documents are printed and filed in designated sections in client chart.
• Ensure that clients understand and work towards meeting their responsibilities as outlined in the Code of Conduct.
• Provide comprehensive case management, including counseling services and other appropriate supportive services, to include developing a family-specific housing plan.
• Collaborate with the case management staff in advocating for housing entitlement and needed supportive services for the family.
• Obtain post discharge contact information from client at lease signing and complete all necessary documentation. Document all related information in progress notes.

Housing: Sourcing/Development/Referral

• Source, contact and follow through potential housing resources and leads.
• Establish and develop new linkages with real estate brokers and landlords. Maintain an active roster of real estate brokers and landlords.
• Cultivate relationship with permanent housing providers.
• Coordinate services offered by the shelter staff, landlords, city agencies, community agencies and all other aspects involved in securing permanent housing.
• Conduct Housing Workshops for clients.
• Track all referrals and provide on-going follow-up to clients and feedback to sources and leads.
• Assist clients with completing relevant applications for housing subsidies and programs.
• Advocate on behalf of the clients to ensure that they receive the appropriate subsidies.
• Arrange apartment interviews with landlords and accompany clients to view potential permanent housing, as needed.
• Liaise with rental agents and landlords to ensure that potential housing meets Tilden Hall requirements for "client readiness" and act as expediter, as needed.
• Ensure successful transition of families into permanent housing and provide clients with local community information and resources that they can rely upon for solving problems that may arise.
• Maintain client data in the Uniform Client Chart. Ensure that supporting documentation is complete, accurate and current at all times. Maintain a hard copy of printed data and supporting documentation in the client charts.

Administration

• Perform timely and accurate input of all required client information in the Uniform Client Chart to ensure compliance with OTDA regulatory requirements, DHS requirements and HPCDC/Tilden Hall standards.
• Prepare all mandated reporting as required by supervisor and funding agency.
• Establish advocacy network with community resources.
• Actively participate as a member of the shelter's multi-disciplinary team.
• Attend shelter meetings, agency meetings and staff training, as agreed to with supervisor.
• Facilitate on-going housing empowerment workshops for staff.
• Assess effectiveness of referral agencies and provide feedback to supervisor, as appropriate.
• Prepare all mandated reporting as required by supervisor and funding agency.
• Other special projects and responsibilities as needed.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Adheres to all policies and procedures, including those prescribed in the Highland Park CDC Employee Handbook.

1. Maintain confidentiality and do not disclose information learned through the course of the job with people other than those who need to know including employee information, financial information, client information, etc.

COMPETENCIES :

To perform the job successfully, an individual demonstrates the following competencies.

1. Customer Service Orientation: Manages difficult or emotional situations with internal and external stakeholders; Responds promptly to customer needs; Responds to request for service and assistance. Maintains and communicates a positive “can do” attitude with internal and external stakeholders.

1. Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Uses reason when dealing with emotional topics.

1. Systems Thinking: Demonstrates an ability to (a) see how organizational systems ( e.g., internal/external conditions, processes, people ) interact and influence each other, and (b) how these systems create and contribute to specific issues ( e.g., high voluntary turnover ) and strengths ( e.g., strong customer focus ).

1. Planning / Organization: Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently: Plans for additional resources; Develops realistic action plans. Leverages tools to manage workflow and reprioritizes accordingly.

1. Service and Teamwork - Understands the needs and wants of the organization, customers, co-workers and supervisors in order to provide accurate, complete and timely service and to further the mission, values and goals of the organization.

1. Oral Communication: Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification.

1. Written Communication: Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.

1. Ethics: Treats people with respect: Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.

1. Dependability: Follows instructions; Responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments.

1. Initiative: Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, and individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and / or ability required.

1. Minimum Required Education & Experience:
   • HS Diploma or GED required
   • Associates Degree Preferred
   • Certification in First Aid, CPR
   • Bilingual Preferred
   • Must possess Valid NYS Driver’s License.

1. Preferred Education & Experience:
   • Associates degree preferred
2. Computer Skills:
   • Proficient in computer software programs (Word, Excel, Power Point, CARES, etc.)
3. Language skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Reads and comprehends simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos; Writes simple correspondence; Presents information in one-on-one and small groups situations outside stakeholders, clients and other employees.
• Bilingual is preferred

GENERAL PHYSICAL REQUIRMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS :

1. GENERAL WORKING HOURS:
   • Generally, this position is Monday through Friday.
2. WORKING FROM HOME:
   • Most essential functions of this job cannot be completed working from home.
3. TRAVEL:
   • May be required to travel about 5% of the time to purchase items or to attend a training or go to the post office as needed.
4. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. The physical activity for the Housing Specialis is:

1. Reaching . Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
2. Walking. Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, and has an ability to navigate from one location to another.
3. Lifting. Must raise objects from a lower to a higher position or move objects horizontally from position to-to-position.
4. Feeling . Must be able to perceive attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips. Assesses potential safety threats, such as by exposure to chemicals and heat from malfunctioning equipment.
5. Talking and hearing . Able to express and exchange ideas by means of the spoken word. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and to make the discrimination in sound.
6. Repetitive motions . Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and and/or fingers.

1. Physical requirements for the Housing Specialist:
   • Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and / or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, with walking and standing required only occasionally.

1. The visual acuity requirements for the Housing Specialist ( including color, depth perception and field vision ).
   • Required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the Essential Functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made upon an employee’s request.

This Job Description is not intended, and should not be construed, to be an exhaustive list of all Job Functions, Competencies, Skills and Work Environment/Conditions associated with this job. It is meant to be an accurate reflection of principal job elements useful for recruiting and selecting employees, assigning work and evaluating performance. Additional responsibilities may be assigned, and management retains the right to change this Job Description at any time. Acceptance of this Job Description does not constitute an employment agreement or contract. The Company is an at-will employer and reserves the right to terminate employment for any reason or no reason, with or without notice to the employee.

JOB DESCRIPTION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND ACCEPTANCE

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Employee Signature Date

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Supervisor’s Signature Date