Bay Cove Human Services' mission is to partner with people to overcome challenges and realize personal potential. Bay Cove pursues this mission by providing individualized and compassionate services to people facing the challenges associated with developmental disabilities, mental illness, substance use disorders, and homelessness at more than 175 program sites throughout Greater Boston and Southeastern Massachusetts.

Bay Cove Human Services is committed to ensuring the representation and participation of candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences. We encourage all qualified individuals, particularly those from historically marginalized groups, to apply.

Job Summary: The Housing Search and Support Specialist for the Home At Last Program (HAL) will assist homeless adults with mental illness by helping to secure low threshold individual apartments. The HAL Housing Search and Support Specialist will work flexibly with the persons served, ACCS, property owners/managers, DMH and shelter staff to assist in the development and implementation of this critically needed housing. This is a non-exempt position.

Essential Functions of Position:

Collaborate with DMH, the Homeless Outreach Team, and Boston City Shelters to develop and implement individual outreach housing plans for identified candidates for the Home At Last project.

• Maintains relationships with existing landlords and multiple real estate brokers
• Maintains files and records as needed to secure affordable housing opportunities for HAL clients.
• Maintains relationships with Bay Cove, DMH, and city shelter staff.
• Keeps current on fair housing laws and reasonable accommodations within the ADA.
• Assist in the movement of furniture and supplies as needed to set up and close apartments.
• Communicates routinely with Director of Housing, other Housing staff, and ACCS Team 6 staff regarding the status of units.
• Attends required orientation and training, including inservice training, conferences and seminars
• Knowledgeably incorporates evidence based practices and philosophies into engagement strategies, treatment planning and the selection of interventions based on each Persons' assessed readiness and expressed interest in order to support long-term recovery. These practices include but are not limited to; Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral for Treatment (SBIRT), Stages of Change, Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, Seeking Safety and Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model (TREM).
• Participates on the Engagement Team of assigned persons as directed by the ACCS Clinical Supervisor
• Utilizes recovery-oriented language and principles in all communication and interactions with Persons, colleagues, and collaterals.
• Engages in supportive interventions with Persons aimed at teaching daily living skills such as community safety practices, travel-training, banking and budgeting, cooking, shopping, personal care and hygiene and care of personal space and belongings.
• Collaborates with Care Coordination Entities and other providers to ensure access to appropriate medical, clinical, self-help, and peer modalities during times of crisis, care transitions, other life transitions and changes in health status.
• As needed and/or as requested, accompanies Persons to medical, dental and psychiatric appointments or leisure activities via public transportation, agency vehicle or staff car. *
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Requirements for the position

• BA required
• Two years direct care experience providing services to adults with mental illness work history in the housing field preferred
• Previous experience in housing advocacy or search.
• Valid driver's license preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to housing as an essential right for all persons.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends on an as needed basis.
• Proficiency in word processing and other computer functions to complete required documentation.
• Ability to climb stairs and carry up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to attend meetings at various sites throughout the day
• Ability to go up and down stairs to evaluate units.
• Must be able to work independently and manage time well

Mission Traits:

• Works with integrity and respects the dignity and value of all individuals.
• Exhibits mission through job knowledge, pride in work role, and advocacy.
• Promotes diversity and inclusion of all individuals.
• Works in a collaborative, compassionate manner with stakeholder/ partners

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