Prevention Specialist

Who We Are

Solid Ground (SG) is an award-winning nonprofit organization whose proven, holistic approach helps families build the strong foundations they need to emerge from homelessness into a brighter future. Through safe, affordable housing and innovative supportive programming, Solid Ground helps families transition to a higher-level of self-sufficiency and break the cycle of homelessness and poverty for the next generation.

Why You'll Love Working Here

At the heart of Solid Ground is the belief that housing stability is fundamental to the healthy development of children and to a family's ability to be contributing members of the community. Solid Ground currently runs eight programs in suburban Ramsey and Washington Counties and housing over 660 individuals annually. Our mission is to prevent and end homelessness for families with children in the communities we serve through housing, resources, and opportunity.

Wages

$23.00 - $24.00 per hour depending on qualifications and level of experience

Benefits

• Paid vacation and sick time
• 12 paid holidays
• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and options for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Long-term disability insurance - the employer pays the premiums
• Employer-paid basic life insurance with the option for additional coverage paid by the employee
• Voluntary benefits: Accident, hospital indemnity, critical illness, short-term disability insurance
• SG sponsors a retirement plan with automatic enrollment at 3% and a 3% employer match after one year of service, plus immediate vesting.

Because Solid Ground is a member with Metropolitan Alliance of Connected Communities (MACC) who partners with St. Mary's University, Solid Ground employees and their spouses are also eligible for the following benefits at St. Mary's University:

• Discounted tuition for Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate programs
• Professional development opportunities
• Access to advancement (internships, job placement, field practice)

Job Summary

Solid Ground is hiring a Prevention Specialist to provide essential program support and collaborate with tenants and landlords to prevent homelessness and preserve tenancies.

Responsibilities

• Accept referrals from the Prevention Manager.
• Process requests for Prevention Assistance.
• Enter the appropriate information into HMIS and ClientTrack within one business day of funding approval.
• Handle intakes, assessment calls, and callbacks from the prevention phone line in a timely manner.
• Assist in completing funding requirements and applications for funds.
• Conduct interviews and assessments leading to program qualifications.
• Counsel tenants and landlords on their rights and responsibilities.
• Provide referrals to other social services agencies, if necessary, to assist participants in achieving the goal of zero balance.
• Collaborate with community partners and other stakeholders to inform people about the programs and to identify potential participants.
• Follow up with participants as indicated by grant guidelines.

What You Bring

• You must have (or be in the process of obtaining) a Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services or a related field, plus at least one year of experience in a social service advocacy position; or you bring a combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge.
• Previous experience working with individuals that come from diverse racial and socio-economic backgrounds in homeless or housing settings, or you have related experience.
• Previous experience working with underserved communities and families experiencing behavioral and/or mental health issues, chemical dependency/substance abuse, homelessness and/or other barriers that affect participants is preferred.
• Knowledge of laws governing rental housing and the ability to locate affordable housing for program participants.
• An understanding and commitment to Housing First philosophy and Trauma Informed practices.
• Knowledge of community resources and community outreach programs.
• Strong skills in crisis intervention.
• You are self-directed with the ability to work collaboratively within a team.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities to reach outcome goals and deadlines.
• Knowledge of pluralism and diversity issues.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications.
• Knowledge of poverty, welfare reform, affordable housing, and other issues affecting program participants to ensure that programs and services are designed to meet participants' needs.
• The ability to communicate effectively and persuasively in oral and written communication on an interpersonal and group level.
• Knowledge and effective practice of boundaries, ethics, and confidentiality.
• A valid driver's license, access to reliable transportation, and the ability to meet Solid Ground's driving record requirements. Please note that if the license was not issued in the state of Minnesota, you have 60 days after becoming a Minnesota resident in which to apply for your Minnesota driver's license or permit.

Diversity and open expression are fundamental to the work of Solid Ground. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment where everyone can belong. Every member of our team enriches our work by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design, and deliver solutions. We welcome everyone to apply, especially those individuals who are underrepresented in our sector: individuals who identify as BIPOC, Indigenous or people of culture, LGBTQI+ and gender fluid or gender nonconforming, individuals with disabilities (both seen and unseen), veterans, people of any age or family status. We value the contributions of a diverse workforce, and we welcome and encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We encourage you to apply even if you feel like you don't fit 100% of the technical requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, disability, age, marital status, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, status with regard to public assistance, criminal history (justice-impacted status), housing or homelessness status, height, or weight.

Our organization has a partnership with Metropolitan Alliance of Connected Communities (MACC) to provide administrative services including management of the hiring process. If you apply for this position, you may see references to MACC in some online materials.

Solid Ground participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. See E-Verify's official poster at See E-Verify's Right to Work poster at

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.