Are you ready to make a difference in the lives of individuals and families in our community? At NARA NW, we are dedicated to providing essential services and support to Native American and Alaska Native people, empowering them to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. As an organization rooted in cultural heritage and community values, we offer a unique and rewarding opportunity to be part of something meaningful.

At NARA NW, you'll find a supportive and inclusive work environment where every member of our team is valued and respected. Whether you're passionate about healthcare, behavioral health, education, or social services, there's a place for you to make a positive impact. With a wide range of programs and services, including medical and dental care, addiction treatment, housing assistance, and cultural enrichment programs, there are endless opportunities to grow and thrive in your career while making a difference in the lives of others.

If you are a motivated and dedicated Manager looking for an opportunity to contribute to an organization making a positive impact, we want to hear from you! Join us at NARA NW and help us build a talented and diverse team dedicated to serving our community. Apply now to be part of our team!

Position Summary: The Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Specialist provides community and home-based housing support services to individuals and families who have experienced homelessness, and whose health, mental health, substance use history and socioeconomic issues create barriers to accessing housing. Services are focused on supporting the individual and/or family to stabilize their housing, end their experience with homelessness, and improve their health and move forward in their recovery. Duties include creating an individualized housing plan with program participants to identify needs, barriers, and resources to achieve long-term housing stability; assisting new program participants through the housing application process, addressing barriers to housing approval, developing positive relationships with collaborative partners, external providers, and property managers; being responsive to property managers as concerns arise in order to support participants in successfully maintaining their housing and preventing eviction; providing home and community based services to clients utilizing strengths-based case management while embracing the philosophies of Motivational Interviewing and Housing First. The PSH Specialist works independently and collaboratively with multiple NARA NW teams and will work with either a site-based project or scattered-site project.

What you will do:

• Develop a client-centered individualized housing stability plan with all program participants.
• Assist program participants through the housing process including identifying and applying to an apartment, addressing possible barriers to housing approval, accessing funding for move in costs and furnishings for their home, and provide ongoing retention services.
• Work in close coordination with other providers/ support systems to address the needs of clients. Includes initiating clinical consultations, assuring coordination of service planning and ongoing support services.
• Provide home and community-based engagement services to clients utilizing strengths-based case management while embracing the philosophy of Motivational Interviewing and Housing First. Utilize assertive engagement techniques to meet clients where they are willing to participate and coach clients in setting goals and identifying realistic steps in order to achieve them.
• Develop positive relationships with collaborative partners, external service providers, and property managers.
• Be responsive to property managers as concerns arise in order to support participants in successfully maintaining their housing and preventing eviction. Follow up with property managers to determine outcome of any needed interventions.
• Consistently use strong clinical and professional judgment while providing services to program participants; including taking appropriate safety precautions while transporting clients and providing services to clients in the community/homes.
• Demonstrate responsibility for safety of participants and property. Must be familiar with fire and building regulations and evacuation procedures.
• Provide ongoing assessment of needs and risk of harm for each individual and respond appropriately.
• Complete housing-related service plans, progress notes, discharge summaries, and other documentation as required.
• Complete program specific initial and annual paperwork with client to assist with housing stability.
• Complete appropriate documentation and processes for use of client assistance funds.
• Meet regularly with clinical supervisor for supervision and seek supervision, as needed.
• Actively participate in multi-disciplinary team meetings and consultations.
• Participate in quality assurance activities including chart reviews.
• Attend relevant training as assigned.
• Participate in providing educational opportunities that promote an understanding and acceptance of culturally relevant health services for the Native American and Alaskan Native community and for service providers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Degree in social-service related field, QMHP, QMHA or CADC credential or equivalent highly desirable. If not currently credentialed, must be able to obtain QMHA or CADC credential within 6 months of hire.
• Professional experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness or experiencing severe and persistent mental illness.
• Experience creating service plans, progress notes, and other documentation.
• Knowledge of housing resources and programs.
• Knowledge and understanding of recovery-based, holistic approaches to addressing behavioral health needs.
• Knowledge and skill in working in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment.
• Experience working within the Native American/Alaska Native community is considered a plus.
• Ability to engage and interact positively with individuals and families to promote strengths and improve health and well-being.
• Excellent communication skills and initiative to effectively coordinate care.
• Ability to work collaboratively with clients, other NARA NW staff, and team members, and to treat everyone with respect and dignity at all times.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and personal vehicle.
• If in recovery, must have a minimum of two years sobriety/clean time.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment or for cause drug tests.
• Ability to pass criminal background and DMV checks.
• Must be able to pass a CRIMS finger printing and background check.

Benefits: Employees (regular, permanent) working 20 hours or more are eligible for benefits. Benefits are effective the 1st of the month following date of hire.

• Affordable Medical and Dental Insurance through Kaiser Permanente
• 14 Federal Holidays ( Including your Birthday)
• 13 Days of Sick Time
• 13 Days of PTO
• $50,000 Life Insurance & AD&D
• Short Term and Long Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Spending Account
• 401(k) with 4% match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Inclement Weather Days (Snow Days)

Join us at NARA NW and become part of a team dedicated to serving our community with compassion, integrity, and respect. Visit our website at Naranorthwest.org to learn more about our organization and explore current career opportunities. Together, we can build a brighter future for our community! Apply today and be part of something bigger than yourself.