POSITION TITLE: Coordinated Entry Specialist

DEPARTMENT: Homelessness Services
REPORTS TO: Homelessness Services Director

SUPERVISES: N/A
POSITION TYPE: Full-time, nonexempt

SCHEDULE: 40 hours/week, based on funding

Priority deadline: 8 a.m. on Monday, May 13.

BENEFITS:

• Medical/Vision Dental Insurance: The following individuals qualify for BMAC's group insurance plans:
  • Regular, full-time employees working 30-40 hours per week receive full benefits
  • Regular, part-time employees working 20-29 hours per week receive prorated benefits based on the number of hours worked
  • Qualifying dependents: Spouse/legal domestic partner and any dependent children 26 years or younger
• Life Insurance
• Short/Long-Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401(k) Retirement Plan: Eligibility begins in the first month after hire date. Vesting rules apply.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Employees begin accruing PTO the first day of employment as detailed below
  • Employees with 0-5 Years of Service = accrue 0.075 hours per hour worked
  • Employees with 5 Years of Service = accrue 0.0875 hours per hour worked
  • Employees with 10 Years of Service = accrue 0.10 hours per hour worked
• Volunteer Time Off (VTO): Available in the following amounts per calendar year:
  • Employees schedule to work 35-40 hours = 16 VTO hours
  • Employees schedule to work 25-34 hours = 12 VTO hours
  • Employees schedule to work 20-24 hours = 8 VTO hours
• Holidays: 12 paid holidays
• Other Paid Leave
  • Voting Leave – as needed upon request
  • Bereavement Leave – up to 4 days to eligible employees
  • Jury Duty Leave – up to 4 weeks over any 1-year period
• Workers Compensation: Comprehensive insurance provided

JOB SUMMARY: This full-time position plays a crucial role in the efficient operation of the Coordinated Entry system, ensuring that individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability are quickly identified, assessed, and connected to appropriate housing resources and supportive services. This role involves close collaboration with various agencies and community organizations to coordinate efforts and improve outcomes for those in need of housing assistance. This position provides intake, referrals and services to individuals and families for Walla Walla County.

OVERVIEW OF RESPONSIBILITIES: Includes, but is not limited to: 

• Ability to work respectfully with diverse populations and lifestyles, using a trauma-informed, human-centered approach. 
• Provide intake and referral services to homeless families and individuals via phone and in person. 
• Determine eligibility for services by completing thorough assessments of homeless individuals and families. 
• Prioritize service seekers, applying prioritization tools to those needing housing or rental assistance to assure funding sustainability. 
  • Coordinate referrals to housing programs, shelters, and supportive services.
  • Conduct outreach activities to raise awareness of Coordinated Entry services, including weekly visits at local shelters.
  • Collaborate and develop/maintain strong relationships with other service providers for housing and other stabilizing services in the area. 

• • Coordinate referrals to and utilization of all appropriate community resources and proactively connecting with resources to assure the best referrals. 
  • Act as an advocate with other social, health, employment and education services in the community when appropriate. 
  • Represent BMAC's homelessness services in community meetings and work groups to improve the Coordinated Entry system. 
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with landlords, apartment associations, and tenant councils; serve as a primary contact, liaison and mediator with landlords/property managers when issues arise.

• Maintaining database(s) in a timely and accurate manner: 

• • Accurate and prompt data input into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and the internal database Cap60. 
  • Ensure that careful, accurate and timely documentation is completed regarding services and referrals provided in all required databases. 
  • Complete grant paperwork for Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) program.
  • Complete purchase order documentation in an accurate and timely manner.

• Performs other related duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience

Relevant experience and/or education may be substituted for either education or work history. 

• AA degree or related two-year certification
• Two years’ related work experience administering social services.
• Bilingual – English/Spanish – strongly preferred
• Preferred:

• • Working knowledge of issues and resources related to housing services for low-income families and individuals; knowledge of landlord/tenant law. 
  • Experience working withindividuals, families and young adults, including BIPOC and LGBTQIA populations, facing homelessnessor needing other social services.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong commitment to BMAC’s mission of collaborating with our partners to equitably deliver services and support to our neighbors experiencing poverty and to our values: accountability for our actions and services; dignity for all we serve; honoring diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our work; and upholding a spirit of service.
• Demonstrates the necessary attitudes, knowledge and skills to deliver culturally competent services and work effectively with diverse populations, including LGBTQ and people of color, as well as individuals of all ages and ability levels. 
• Ability to understand and implement contract requirements regarding eligibility and services, and data maintenance.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to read and assess complex documents such as housing program guidelines, policies and procedures manuals.
• Ability to work well with people in crisis and to assess and prioritize needs using trauma-informed approaches.
• Understanding of, and ability to work collaboratively with, a variety of community resources and partners and with other BMAC programs.
• Ability to advocate for services and those in need.
• Ability to compile and maintain accurate, thorough and timely case management records.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, set appropriate client boundaries with tact and respect, and exercise sound judgement.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced office environment, managing a high call volume, with frequent interruptions and occasional crisis situations.
• Ability to contribute to updating of housing program guidelines and related policies/manuals.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office products, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Ability to learn/use HMIS and CAP60 software system.

Certifications

• Employee must provide their own vehicle for travel and current auto insurance. 
• Valid state driver’s license by time of hire with a good driving record. Mileage will be reimbursed according to the current IRS mileage rate.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work to take place in and out of the office. This position requires the flexibility to meet regularly in locations that may include administrative offices, site-based service facilities, parks, libraries, coffee shops, encampments and/or program participant’s residence, depending on capabilities of program participants. Other time will be spent in the office completing administrative duties and paperwork. Requires regular travel in Walla Walla County.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the job’s essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform essential functions.

Mixture of sedentary periods at desk/working on a computer and time spent out in the community. Occasional moving up to 15lbs. Ability to access locations without stairs or elevators.

NOTE: This is a general description of essential job functions. It is not intended as an employment contract, nor is it intended to describe all duties someone in this position may perform. All employees of BMAC are expected to perform tasks as assigned by supervisory/ management personnel, regardless of job title or routine job duties.