Housing Mentor

POSITION PURPOSE

The Housing Mentor’s job is two-fold: to provide member housing support with the goal of moving person(s) experiencing long-term and at-risk of homelessness into the best-fit housing. The Housing Mentor works directly with all staff members in aspects of operations related to ensuring that member housing needs are met. The Housing Mentor meets with potential applicants after they have been pre-screened by the Peer Mentor. The Housing Mentor follows the procedures and requirements of the Alaska Housing and Finance Corporation’s (AHFC) Basic Homeless Assistance Program (BHAP) grant. This will include responsibility for documenting case notes and program activities, entering data, and preparing weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports that reflect such activities as indicated. The Housing Mentor will also assist in identifying potential applicants for Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority (AMHTA) Mini-Grants and assist in the implementation, if funded. The Executive Director supervises this position.

QUALITIES DESIRED IN THIS POSITION

· Understanding and desire to further the mission of the Alaska Mental Health Consumer Web

· Dedication and patience with individuals experiencing serious mental illness, substance abuse, and homelessness

· Ability to work in a team to make program changes and improvements

· Strong communication skills across various groups, including volunteers, staff, the general public, and Web members

· Ability to listen carefully and respect an individual’s self-determination while offering assistance

· Promotes self-determination, personal responsibility, and empowerment

· Ability to demonstrate appropriate boundaries as a housing mentor

· Strong desire to grow and learn new skills

· Maintains safety and policy using diplomatic and compassionate communication

PRIMARY DUTIES

· Responsible for recruiting prospective members, monitoring member progress and needs, accessing and linking members to housing resources

· Tracking members who have been placed in housing

· Identifies, vets, and forms working relationships with local landlords

· Works with members to set self-determined housing goals, monitor goal progress and outcomes, and keeps accurate and timely documentation of interactions

· Maintains an ongoing library of housing resources, resource list, and posts information about opportunities for involvement in local community events

· Work with the Executive Director in compiling housing member demographics and weekly/monthly/quarterly reports

· Works with Peer Mentor on BHAP prequalifying of members applying

· Works with Peer Mentors to identify appropriate members for AMHTA Mini-Grants; assists in implementation of successful proposals

· Assists all staff in finding local resources such as food, behavioral health professionals, employment resources, and medical care

· Works with Web volunteers and staff to do outreach in the community

MINIMUM POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Education: High School Diploma or equivalent

Some college or Bachelor’s degree preferred

Must pass State of Alaska Background check prior to position offer

Valid Driver's License and a clean driving record REQUIRED prior to position offer

The Web is open on all holidays and on Saturdays. This position will work Tuesday through Saturday.

Experience:

· Previous experience preferred working with shelter, transitional, and permanent housing resources in Anchorage.

· Prefer applicant to be a mental health member in recovery and/or have lived experience with being unhoused.

· Must complete Peer Support program training by the 3rd month of employment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

An understanding of member-directed services and the member recovery process from mental illness and substance abuse. Knowledge of, and the ability to work with, shelter, transitional, and permanent housing resources in Anchorage. Basic computer ability with an understanding of Microsoft Word and Excel. Strong oral and written communication skills are essential, as are critical thinking, problem-solving, and attentiveness to detail while maintaining confidentiality.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and requirements. Scheduling flexibility is required to accommodate changing Web needs.

The Member Web is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Pay: From $19.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Paid time off

Work Location: In person

Salary : $19