Description

OVERVIEW:

Founded in 1979 in direct response to rising rates of hunger and homelessness in North San Diego County, Interfaith Community Services works to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness by Helping People Help Themselves. Interfaith is the most comprehensive social services agency in North County, providing both immediate safety net services and long-term, life-changing programs designed to meet the holistic needs of people in crisis. Together, in partnership with 250 diverse faith communities, more than 650 recurrent volunteers, and a growing staff of over 200, Interfaith provides a safe haven and pathway towards self-sufficiency for more than 17,000 community members annually.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

This position works with the Oceanside Housing Authority to provide direct services to homeless clients and recently housed individuals which include: intake, assessment and case management, and client advocacy (resources and referrals) with the goal of supporting client self-sufficiency and to support the mission of Interfaith Community Services. This position interacts with local service providers to coordinate client care and also interfaces with the Oceanside Police Department (POD) Homeless Outreach Team (HOT). This position works in collaboration with the HOT team and Housing Authority to implement and support the Oceanside Homeless Outreach program. The HOT team is a unique police outreach effort that connects homeless individuals with needed services in a focused effort to end homelessness.

This position will work predominately with the Oceanside Housing Authority.

•  Collaborates with City of Oceanside staff, Oceanside Police Department HOT team members, Oceanside Housing Authority, other Interfaith programs, partnering organizations, and the Alliance for Regional Solutions Bridge Housing Network to develop housing-focused outreach approaches, to include the providing of program materials and referral training sessions to community partners and shelter services (outreach to motels, churches, downtown merchants, etc.)
•  Maintains strong working knowledge of Housing Authority Administrative Plan and Section 8 program rules and regulations
•  Works closely with Housing Authority staff during the eligibility process to assist clients with completing paperwork and gather necessary supporting documents
•  Responds to referrals from Housing Authority staff regarding clients who are experiencing challenges which may result in having to move out of unit or lose their housing benefits; provides short-term case management when necessary, and works to connect clients to appropriate services in the community if ongoing support is needed
•  Facilitates acceptance of placement or other services that support and stabilize individuals moving from street to service
•  Develops and implements creative and trusting client service engagement opportunities for homeless individuals and families on the streets by reaching out to individuals and families that are currently not being served or are underserved by existing community service delivery systems
•  Supports the placement and stability of clients in permanent housing
•  Maintains case files and documents in various platforms to support clients and program outcomes
•  Leverages motivational interventions for homeless that facilitate acceptance of care for their needs, access to services and resources, encouraging them to become integrated into services, providing support and guidance to participants as they transition from street to shelter
•  Assists individuals experiencing homelessness and formerly homeless voucher participants with accessing benefits and resources, and address any barriers to finding and maintaining housing stability
•  Assists individuals experiencing homelessness with their housing search, including conducting landlord outreach, visiting units, and assisting clients with accessing funding for expenses associated with housing search, including credit checks, security deposits, etc.
•  Compiles all case notes, treatment plans, progress notes and any other stats in accordance with city, county state and federal requirements
•  Provides guidance and support to help clients identify their own strengths, set achievable goals and follow through consistently so they can become self-sufficient
•  Administers supportive services per agency and contract guidelines
•  Facilitates and maintains community relationships to create referral pathways for program participants into Interfaith’s programs
•  Participates in case management meetings, staff meetings and trainings
•  Performs additional duties as assigned

Requirements

EXPERIENCE / EDUCATION

•  Master’s Degree in Social Work or related field required
•  1 years of relevant work experience required
•  1 years of case management experience required
•  Experience working with severely mentally ill, medically fragile, and homeless populations preferred

SKILLSETS / ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

•  Ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries with clients
•  Ability to identify problems, and research and recommend solutions
•  Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills
•  Must be highly organized and demonstrate attention to detail
•  Demonstrated experience managing multiple deadlines and working effectively under pressure, using independent judgment to produce quality work under time constraints
•  Demonstrated experience working with a collaborative team
•  Working Knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook)
•  Ability to communicate effectively among a diverse workforce population and maintain sound working relations with all levels within the organization
•  Work with spirit of enthusiasm, teamwork, cooperation and a sense of urgency
•  Maintain a high degree of confidentiality over all matters in the course of business operations including client and employee information
•  Ability to multi-task in an efficient, thorough, and prioritized manner
•  Ability to work quickly, accurately and independently
•  Ability to anticipate needs, prioritize work and solve problems

WORKING CONDITIONS / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

•  Must be able to perform work in both indoor and outdoor settings
•  Must have the physical ability to sit for long periods of time, stand, walk, bend, kneel and uses hands, arms and legs for dexterity and balance on a frequent basis
•  May be subjected to adverse conditions, including contact from hostile people
•  Low to moderate exposure to contagious diseases (hepatitis, HIV, tuberculous, etc.)
•  Low to moderate exposure of unpleasant and noxious fumes, odors, dust, temperatures, noise and inclement weather
•  Occasionally lifts, carries and balances objects weighing up to 30 pounds
•  Pulls and pushes such objects as file drawers, computers and similar office equipment and supplies
•  Prioritizes and multi-tasks work and projects requiring good memory , concentration and analytical thinking
•  Occasionally is required to perform the safe operation of a vehicle, office equipment and machines, and recognize and abate safety hazards within the workplace
•  Must be able to hear, see including distinction of colors, read and communicate verbally and in writing frequently with a wide range of people from divergent socioeconomic backgrounds and origins
•  The noise level in the work environment is usually low