POSITION TITLE: Housing Navigator/Peer Support Specialist - SOAR Lead

DEPARTMENT: TPSS

REPORTS TO: Program Director/Program Manager

BENEFITS: Alpha Project offers a generous benefits package, including 14 paid holidays, paid vacation, sick leave, and 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision premium, and group life insurance.

FLSA: Full-time, Non-Exempt

PAY RANGE: $24-$26 an hour, commensurate with experience

POSITION SUMMARY:

The TPSS Housing Navigator/Peer Specialist - SOAR Lead, under the direct supervision of the Program Manager, provides SOAR support to Housing Navigators/Peer Specialists for three HHSA regions. The Housing Navigator/Peer Specialist - SOAR Lead will be responsible for a full caseload, providing housing identification, case management, support services, and, if qualified, peer support.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Case Management

• Responsible for providing SOAR support to Housing Navigators/Peer Specialists assigned to their HHSA Regions;
• Performs intake interviews, assessments and refers clients to appropriate community resources, as needed;
• Work with clients to identify and overcome barriers to securing housing and increasing income;
• Assist clients with obtaining and completing necessary documents to access housing, benefits, or increasing income.
• Provide peer support to clients, if qualified;
• Maintains prompt documentation using HMIS, following agency and best standard practices;
• Assesses the client's needs, and arranges, coordinates, monitors, evaluates, and advocates for a variety of services to meet those complex needs;
• Addresses unanticipated client/resident needs/issues as they arise;
• Assists with transportation and moving clients into their residence and assists with securing furniture and supplies;
• Participates as a member of a multi-disciplinary team that reviews client cases and develops action plans that meet the individual needs of each client.

Data Management

• Maintains prompt documentation using HMIS, following agency and best standard practices;
• Complete accurate, thorough, and typed progress notes promptly;
• Use case management software, HMIS, and Clarity, to document and keep all client activities up to date.

Other Duties

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands/conditions described below represent those that must be met/tolerated by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Sitting at a desk for sometimes long and continuous periods of time;
• Answering or making calls on the telephone for sometimes long and continuous periods of time;
• Using a keyboard to perform research and to communicate through written means for sometimes long and continuous periods of time;
• Looking at a computer monitor for sometimes long and continuous periods of time;
• Frequent standing, walking, reaching, lifting, and stooping;
• Using personal vehicles to drive throughout San Diego County.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Candidates must demonstrate the ability to follow policies and procedures established in the Company's Employee Handbook. Candidates will also contribute to a positive work environment by behaving and communicating in a manner such that they get along with all constituent groups, co-workers, and management.

In addition, the education, experience, and other skills listed below represent the required knowledge, skills, and/or abilities.

Experience and Education

• Two years' experience in completing SOAR applications and case management working with vulnerable populations or in mental health settings;
• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field, preferred;
• Individuals with lived experience are strongly encouraged to apply;
• Valid Driver's license;
• Bilingual speaker preferred.

Key Skills Set

• Ability to communicate in person and over the phone, required;
• Firm understanding of Microsoft Office and HMIS, required;
• The ability to adhere to policies and procedures, required;
• Understanding of confidentiality protocols and protecting personal information, required;
• Effectively problem-solve and maintain composure in high-pressure situations, required;
• Ability to work independently with minimal daily supervision, required;
• Knowledge of utilized practices, including Housing First, Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, and Harm-Reduction, and SOAR certified, required;
• Completion of RI International's Peer Employment Training (PET), preferred.

EQUIPMENT AND APPLICATIONS

• High proficiency in MS Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Clarity;
• Working knowledge of all standard office equipment.

Alpha Project for the Homeless provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.