Position Title: Coordinated Entry Specialist

Reports To: Groundworks Director of Shelters

Position Classification: Full-time, Exempt, Salaried

Salary Range: $19.71 - $24.69/hourly

Work site: 54 and 60 South Main Street

Benefits: https://tinyurl.com/GW-24-Benefits

About Groundworks Collaborative

Established in 2015, following the merger of the Brattleboro Area Drop-In Center and Morningside Shelter, Groundworks is a dynamic organization committed to providing food, shelter and supportive services with dignity throughout the greater-Brattleboro area.

Groundworks’ mission is to work with individuals and systems to create solutions for ending hunger and homelessness for all people in our region. We envision a community in which all members have their basic needs met, including food security and a safe and dignified place to call home. We view poverty, housing and food insecurity to be byproducts of societal conditions, generational discrimination and public policy, rather than as a result of individual choices. Therefore, Groundworks fosters a culture of nonjudgement and compassion for the people we serve.

Position Summary

Coordinated Entry is a single point access system of care that connects people experiencing homelessness to housing local resources and other community based support services. Groundworks is the Windham County Lead Agency and coordinates ongoing care within a collaboration of community partnerships– assessment partners, and referral partners. The Coordinated Entry Specialist supports access by completing assessments with clients, accepting and responding to housing crisis referrals from community agencies, maintaining the local master list, and providing in person training to local partners as needed. Additionally, the CE specialist is the main point of contact and referral source to all Groundworks Programs and works closely with community services providers to guide clients to needed housing and support services– maintaining a working knowledge of all area resources. This position requires a skill set that includes strong time management and organization, excellent communication and documentation skills, experience with meeting facilitating and data entry.

Responsibilities

Client Engagement

• Explain the goal of the Coordinated Entry and local housing opportunities to clients
• Provide a brief description of community agencies involved in the partnership
• Complete assessments with clients within a week of accessing services
• Make referrals to community resources and that best suit individual needs
• Serve as the main point of contact until more formal services are established
• Update client information as needed, including an annual assessments

Community Engagement

• Demonstrate Groundworks’ philosophy, mission, values and standards of excellence
• Facilitate the monthly closed housing services committee meeting
• Communicate updates on available housing subsidies, units and opportunities
• Seek timely Master List updates to ensure data accuracy and completeness
• Implement ongoing system for process evaluation, seek community feedback
• Create and update workflows for prioritization, service connection and applications
• Build strong relationships with VT State and local Housing Authorities
• Work with case managers internally and externally to ensure seamless referrals
• Train service providers annually on the Coordinated Entry process
• Provide technical assistance as needed
• Actively recruit assessment and referral partners

Data Management

• Complete/Maintain Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) licensure training
• Enter assessment data into HMIS, maintain data completeness by ICA standards
• Support ongoing reporting requirements quarterly and annually
• Provide consistent oversight of the Master List, updating as needed
• Schedule and pull weekly list and communicate/ distribute to community partners
• Analyze data and provide report outs to stakeholders
• Maintain working relationships with ICA, provide ongoing feedback
• Collaborate with Groundworks Data Specialist

Promote Teamwork and Excellence

• Demonstrate personal ownership and initiative in problem-solving
• Hold self accountable to high performance standards
• Meet with supervisor regularly and work together to identify areas for improvement, performance goals, and areas for continued growth and learning
• Attend and participate in a variety of trainings including to enhance knowledge and skills
• Uphold and maintain Groundworks’ values and dedication to Groundworks’ service mission and a culture of understanding, compassion and positive regard for clients
• Participate in building a team culture of collaboration and shared ownership
• Build effective working relationships with team members
• Support team goals and collaborative problem-solving
• Practice giving and receiving feedback skillfully and respectfully when issues come up

Promote Agency Wide Success

• Attend and participate in All-Staff meetings
• Contribute to agency-wide learning and problem-solving, coordination and communication
• Support the seamless coordination and integration of Groundworks’ programs and services
• Contribute to and participate in regular program meetings

Competencies

• Passion for the mission: ending homelessness and ensuring food security for all people
• Insight into homelessness root causes, challenges related to poverty, addiction and mental health
• Knowledgeable about housing, resources and systemic barriers; effectively navigates services
• Exhibits empathy and understanding for clients, while maintaining healthy boundaries
• Models excellence, holds self accountable; takes responsibility for ensuring quality services
• Is solution-oriented, takes initiative and engages others in thoughtful problem-solving
• Is dependable, approachable, accessible and responsive to others’ needs and requests
• Has excellent written and interpersonal communication skills that foster a team environment
• Demonstrates a high level of energy in a hands-on, fluid, fast-paced environment
• Possesses strong time management skills, able to multi-task and maintain dual focus
• Is timely in reporting to work, fulfilling commitments and responding to emails/calls
• Finds most efficient and effective ways to work, builds and enhances systems
• Is highly organized, plans effectively, pays attention to details and completes work accurately
• Is a collaborative and cooperative team-player; seeks others’ ideas and input
• Is self-aware, self-reflective, and understands own strengths and weaknesses
• Has excellent written and interpersonal communication skills that foster a team environment
• Demonstrates a high level of energy in a hands-on, fluid, fast-paced environment
• Possesses strong time management skills, able to multi-task and maintain dual focus
• Is timely in reporting to work, fulfilling commitments and responding to emails/calls
• Finds most efficient and effective ways to work, builds and enhances systems
• Is highly organized, plans effectively, pays attention to details and completes work accurately
• Is a collaborative and cooperative team-player; seeks others’ ideas and input
• Is self-aware, self-reflective, and understands own strengths and weaknesses
• Is curious and open feedback; embraces own continuous learning and growth
• Exhibits effective stress management, self-care, limit-setting, resilience and a sense of humor
• Has strong computer and office management skills

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $19.71 - $24.69 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person