Bernardino County Permanent Supportive Housing

Service Coordinator 1 – Housing Specialist

REPORTS TO: Program Manager/Director of Inland Empire Housing Services

HOURS: 40

CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt

For this role, the employee must be in two locations during the week.

Four days in Victorville/Barstow/Adelanto/Hesperia -( Conducting inspections throughout the high desert.) One day in San Bernardino, conducting administrative tasks.

SUMMARY: The SC1 – Housing Specialist is a field-based position that provides Housing Location services for homeless members participating in the SBC Permanent Supportive Housing Program. These members have been identified by the Coordinated Entry System (CES) and referred to Step Up Services for long-term housing assistance and supportive services. The SC1 - Housing will work closely with the FSP Service Coordinators to house members in this program (e.g., complete Housing applications and submission, unit searches and unit identifications, housing inspections and recertifications, and relocation). This position will transition to provide further housing support and stabilization efforts in collaboration with FSP service staff.

DUTIES: The following reflects essential functions for this job but does not restrict other tasks, which may be assigned:

Housing Search, Location, and Placement:

• Will take the lead on housing search, unit identifications and location and lease up placement.
• Search for housing options aligned to the capacity and choices of the members and communicate program efforts to property managers to match to appropriate housing options.
• Conduct HQS inspections to ensure the unit meets HUD quality standards.
• Coordinate lease signings with property managers and members.
• Process requests for associated application fee’s expenses and prep any required documents.
• Coordinate move ins to include furniture and appliances, as well as member transport.
• Act as liaison between client, DBH SCI and landlord for compliance with lease, eviction prevention, good neighbor behaviors, etc.

Direct Service and Support:

• Provide Outreach to referred homeless individuals from CES to be screened for Housing Location Services to rapidly house families and individuals.
• Assist all unhoused members with application process, unit identification, Recertifications and Relocation.
• Ongoing supportive services prior and after housed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Documentation and Data Collection:

• Ensure client files meet set audit standards with required documentation.
• Document services provided within 48 hours for every client contact, housing searches, placements, etc. and other documents utilizing prescribed record system. (HMIS and/or hard copy files.)
• Verify and document client’s income.
• Track and report client outcomes in file and in HMIS. Ensure timely entry of data in HMIS.
• Ensure HMIS data is complete and accurate.
• Maintains documentation according to standards of practice in Electronic Health Record – Welligent within timeframes as outlined in SUOS documentation policy.
• Meets weekly, monthly, and quarterly billing quota set by Program Manager.
• Processes agency paperwork in a timely and accurate manner.

SKILLS:

· Knowledge of or experience with mainstream benefits and services, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Informed Care, Housing First, Harm Reduction, etc.

· Experienced in Housing Location Services and Landlord Engagement.

· Experienced with applications and PSH programs in general.

· Ability to work collaboratively with others and in a team.

· Initiative and solution focused practice. Uses time management skills and resources to balance case load direct service and paperwork.

· Ability to engage individuals on the streets in a meaningful manner which imbues trust.

· Understands and promotes safety first to self and team members.

· Demonstrates good judgement and ability to work independently. Ability to problem solve and use time management skills. Organizational skills are key.

QUALIFICATIONS: Minimum of 2 years’ experience in providing housing location and landlord engagement services. Minimum of 2 years’ experience working with people who experience homelessness and or are diagnosed with a mental-illness or Social Work/Mental Health related bachelor’s degree and minimum of 1 years' experience working with people who experience homelessness and or are diagnosed with or mental-illness in a community or housed setting necessary. The ability to work as a part of a team is crucial. Knowledge of issues facing program members, (e.g., health, substance abuse, mental health, physical health, domestic abuse, child welfare, resources for undocumented person), excellent written and verbal communication skills, must be able to perform extensive charting, electronic data entry and documentation. Microsoft 365 Office is essential. Must have own transportation and current California driver's license and insurance with good driving record at all times during employment.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: Work with people experiencing homelessness whether on the streets, in shelters or other places of habitation or services, may present inherent challenges and difficulties such as: exposure to bed bugs or other infestations, unpleasant smells or odors, individuals who may have poor hygiene or unclean homes due to homelessness, mental health symptoms, or poverty. Additionally, in working with our members, employees may encounter instances of profanity, sexually explicit or derogatory language, or verbal or physical expressions of anger and trauma. Very rarely do these situations ever escalate to physical contact, and negative or derogatory communication patterns can often be negotiated successfully. All direct care staff are provided adequate training to develop skills to deescalate crisis situations that may arise and Step Up has established procedural safeguards for all employees to mitigate (but not eliminate) these inherent risks of employment.

Please Note: This position is part of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU721) Bargaining Unit.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and fingers; handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk; and hear. The employee is frequently required to walk, balance, stoop, kneel, and/or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Keyboard data entry required.

Step Up utilizes the principles of trauma-informed care and mental health recovery. These principles inform our Core Values of Hope, Wellness, Voice and Choice, Respect, and Collaborative Relationships. As representatives of Step Up, employees agree to adhere to these values in their interactions with members, colleagues, supervisors, and associated community members.

STEP UP CORE VALUES

HOPE – We believe all people have the capacity for positive growth and change. We use hope to inspire and motivate ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

WELLNESS – We believe in promoting a culture that supports healthy and fulfilling lives. We use a supportive environment to foster well-being for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

VOICE AND CHOICE – We believe in the right to choose and be heard. We use voice and choice to create meaningful outcomes and empowerment for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

RESPECT – We believe in promoting interactions that are non-judgmental, transparent. We use respect to guide all of our words and actions with ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS – We believe in forming partnerships to share resources, knowledge, and experiences. We use collaborative relationships to strengthen accomplishments for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

Step Up is committed to providing quality services that adhere to the highest ethical standards and principles. All Step-Up employees agree to adhere to the ethical policies and codes of conduct, as outlined in the Employee Handbook and those specified for this grant.

Please Note: This position is part of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU721) Bargaining Unit.

I can perform the functions of this job as described with or without reasonable accommodation.

Employee Name (Print): ___________________________________________

Employee Signature: ________________________________________________

Date: _________________________________

Step Up provides equal employment opportunities without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, mental or physical disability, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.

STEP UP IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $52,000.00 - $56,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• Do you have a good driving record?
• Is your car insurance current?
• Can you commute for days to Victorville, Adelanto, Hesperia, and Barstow? And one day in San Bernardino?

Experience:

• Hud Inspections: 2 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 75% (Required)

Work Location: In person