Coordinated Entry System Outreach Specialist

The Specialist impacts the direct success of the Coordinated Entry System (CES), a critical system in the Champaign County continuum of services for the homeless that ensures people and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness are quickly and fairly assessed for and referred to resources. This role interacts directly with households experiencing homelessness and completes all necessary documentation and assessments for them to enter CES. Primary responsibilities include:

• Scheduling and completing intakes and assessments in a timely fashion

• Assisting with client file creation and maintenance

• Recertifying homelessness status

• Supporting CES partner collaboration

• Working with a CES team to ensure up to date program information is available throughout the county

Ideal candidates will:

• Have entry- to mid-level knowledge and experience in human social services, particularly with people impacted by homelessness, mental health, and/or substance use disorder

• Be organized, collaborative, trauma-informed, and strong communicators and problem solvers

• Show initiative and interest in learning and growing their capacity to support households experiencing homelessness, conduct assessments, and understand CES

RPC’s Community Services division is committed to offering qualified candidates ongoing training, support, and professional development experiences to support employees’ success. Apply today and help us accomplish our mission: “to empower individuals, strengthen families, and build communities through advancing self-sufficiency.”

Why Work with the RPC Team?

• Collaborative team environment
• Trauma-informed, client-centered philosophy
• Onboarding support and regular supervision
• Work-life balance
• Support for professional development
• Competitive benefit package

• Associate degree in human services or related field; combination of education, training, and experience in the field may be considered. One year of experience in human services and/or bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Ability to pass criminal background check.
• Strong background in customer services and human services with program’s target population.
• Ability to work outside of traditional business hours to accommodate program needs, including periodic early mornings, evenings, nights and weekends.
• Experience working with people with diverse life experiences, including households experiencing homelessness, and individuals with disabilities, medical fragility, mental health conditions, and/or substance use disorders.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles.
• Knowledge of housing continuums from shelter to home ownership in service area.
• Valid driver’s license and safe and reliable vehicle. Ability to transport clients using agency vehicles.
• Must use math in daily work tasks, such as calculating financial eligibility for services, determining level of subsidy assistance, and monitoring expenditures.
• Knowledge of public assistance programs, including eligibility and application process.
• Ability to attend community meetings, provide program information at community meetings, and collect and share relevant meeting information with team.
• Demonstrate excellent listening skills and the ability to share information with diverse audiences.
• Ability to complete meetings in client’s homes and in community-based sites in Champaign County (e.g. libraries, shelters, public buildings, etc.).
• Possess strong writing skills to compose documents and correspondence.
• Demonstrate excellent organizational skills with experience accurately documenting services through case notes, maintaining spreadsheets, and managing competing priorities highly desired.
• Possess critical thinking and problem-solving abilities with skills to identify critical issues and develop and execute plans to resolve disputes.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions with minimum supervision.
• Proficient in English (spelling, punctuation, grammar).
• Ability to attend worksite regularly to perform job duties and responsibilities.
• Computer skills necessary to complete case documentation, data entry, research, and timesheets.
• Ability to obtain program specific certification(s) within twelve months. This may include 40-hour domestic violence professional training.

• • Ability to attend program meetings and/or training as required.

• Preferred: Knowledgeable of resources, services, and activities for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Champaign County.

Schedule: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., M-F (Flexibility will be necessary to support the goals of the program.)

Worksite: Brookens Administrative Center

Status: Full-Time/37.5 hours per week

Starting Wage: $19.68 - $23.00

Competitive benefits, health insurance, dental insurance, retirement, high quality programming and great work environment!