Description

Ascend partners with Highland Rivers Behavioral Health, Georgia’s largest Community Service Board (CSB), to staff clinical and non-clinical jobs in behavioral health. Being part of our team and working in a CSB means you’re helping individuals and families otherwise unable to access treatment from private providers to address healthcare challenges associated with mental illness, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and addictive diseases. You’ll be working with purpose to make a difference in the lives of people who need you most. Each of our jobs will work within a State Community Service Board facility. 

The essential functions of the Housing Specialist include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assists with housing search, leasing, and move-in processes
• Purchases initial household furnishings, deposits, household goods uses Bridge Funding
• Ensures Safety and Wellness by conducting regular wellness checks and inspections
• Develops a housing stability support plan (treatment plan)
• Educates INDs on roles, responsibilities, and rights as a tenant and the landlord/property owner
• Completes Needs for Supportive Housing Survey (NSH) as needed
• Completes Unified Referral Process as needed
• Serves as a liaison with landlords to advocate for INDs on caseload
• Advocates in the community to develop new housing opportunities
• Assists INDs in completing renewal packets, updating leases, inspections, etc annually
• Identifies INDs that qualify for Housing Choice Voucher and assists in application process
• Continually and proactively educate oneself about new developments in the field and work with colleagues to share information and best practices.
• Perform and complete all intakes, GHV/HCV applications, and provide participants and their assigned case managers with required documentation to proceed in procuring housing 
• Regularly schedule interviews, obtain income verifications, compute rents and utility allowances, property notify participants and their case managers of any changes to program and perform all tasks related to the timely conduct of initial, annual, and interim recertification's in accordance with pre-established deadlines.
• Ensure that vouchers are issued timely and managed after issuance.
• Assist voucher holders and their case managers with finding acceptable units.
• Schedule, interview, and transition eligible GHV participants to HCV after initial year of GHV is completed or when requested by DBHDD and DCA.
• Continually and proactively educate yourself about new developments in the field and work with colleagues to share information and best practices.
• Document face-to-face and over-the-phone sessions in ECR.
• Explains the rights and responsibilities of the GHV/HCV Programs, HUD, Owner and Participant, including Equal Opportunity requirements to Property Managers, Owners, and Managing Agents. 
• Collect, compile, and submit data required for program evaluation and grant reporting under contract. Maintain accurate and detailed participant records.
• Tracks all move-ins and transitions and provides monthly reports to the Residential Recovery & Support Services (RRSS) Program Manager for analysis.
• Monitors regulatory changes and attends workshops, trainings, and seminars as deemed necessary for job description.
• Excellent verbal and telephone communication with individuals, staff, and community providers

Ascend Community Staffing Partners, LLC does not discriminate with regard to employment, compensation, place of work, or promotion because of race, color, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, age or national origin.

English-Spanish bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply. Individuals with disabilities, including disabled veterans and veterans with service-connected disabilities, are encouraged to apply.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED

Previous experience with the Georgia Housing Voucher Program (or similar housing voucher program)

At least one year experience working with individuals with mental health challenges

Exhibits good communication skills (oral, written and active listening)

Must be able to pass an intensive criminal background investigation

Pre-Employment and random drug screening

Acceptable motor vehicle report