MH Program Specialist II - Supervisor of Housing

COUNTY OF BUCKS

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• JOB TITLE:** MH Program Specialist II - Supervisor of Housing **JOB CODE:** 184
• DEPARTMENT:** Behavioral Health/ Developmental Programs **UNION:** 84
• FLSA STATUS:** Non-Exempt **GRADE:** 41
• REPORTS TO:** Mental Health Deputy Administrator
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Position Summary

This is professional work of an administrative nature involving the development and oversight of a countywide housing system for individuals with serious mental illness (SMI).The employee will be responsible for various administrative duties including the identification of mental health housing requirements and the preparation of plans to address those requirements. The Housing Specialist will monitor and coordinate with contracted residential provider agencies in the development and implementation of newly created residential programs. The Housing Specialist is responsible for communications and is the agency lead with federal, state, and local housing agencies/County departments. Work is performed and reviewed under the supervision of the Deputy MH Administrator. This position is responsible for the supervision of a MH Program Specialist I Residential Coordinator, who assists in the management of community-based mental health residential services.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

• Provides leadership in meeting the housing needs of persons with serious mental illness and in the development of a county-wide housing system.
• Reviews all local, state, and federal housing requests for proposals and advises providers about eligible activities and requirements for submission. Ensures proper adherence to grant funding guidelines through monitoring and timely coordination of reports.
• Prepares housing related proposals which are submitted by the Department of BH/DP.
• Assesses community housing resources, determines need, and disseminates information to those who plan or are otherwise involved in housing development.
• Performs public contact work in an effort to gather information, improve consumer satisfaction, engender support, and to provide information relative to housing for individuals with mental illness.
• Represents the housing needs and interest of the Department with all local housing organizations.
• Participates on local advisory committees to provide input and develop housing for individuals with mental illness, through planning and coordination with existing services.
• Provides education to all appropriate groups to encourage/assist in increasing the housing opportunities available to individuals with mental illness.
• Provides staff support to the County Commissioners, BH/DP Administrator, and the Deputy MH Administrator in areas related to housing.
• Participates in the negotiation, development, monitoring and revision of mental health residential contracts, programmatically and financially.
• Provides oversight for County unhoused prevention programs, including current programs, funding levels, strategies, outcomes and follow-up. Provides ongoing leadership in the coordination of unhoused outreach programs, assessment of need and development of new approaches.
• Provides leadership in the emerging efforts to identify populations at-risk for being unhoused and the coordination of participants in identifying, planning and implementing appropriate strategies to prevent homelessness.
• Acts as mental health representative on state and local committees dealing with various housing issues and in planning housing programs including the annual Con inuum of Care planning and the PATH funding application preparations.
• Participates and assists in coordination of the Annual Point-In-Time count.
• Serves as a central point of contact within the BH/DP Department for technical housing information.
• Develops interagency relationships with various housing agencies including the bucks County Housing Authority, the Bucks County Office of Community Development, the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority, the Bucks County Federal Lands Reuse Authority, and other state and federal entities dealing with the provision of housing or funds for housing.
• Takes the lead responsibility for written correspondence with federal, state, and local offices on all issues dealing with mental health housing concerns.
• Develops policies and procedures supporting monitoring and oversight of the countywide MH residential program.
• Advocates for the integration of those with a serious mental illness into community-based MH residential services and generic housing resources.
• Participates in the development of the annual plan with particular emphasis on identifying housing and residential needs of individuals.
• Participates in the development of new initiatives, both in the Department and local housing organizations, including the development of requests for proposals for new program initiatives. Participates in the review and analysis of submitted proposals.
• Performs other duties as required by the Deputy MH Administrator or BH/DP Administrator.
• Prepares housing related reports as required.
• Attends evening and weekend meetings as requested.
• Other duties may be assigned.
  
  

Qualifications Required

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Education/Experience

• One year as a MH Program Specialist 1; or three years of professional level experience in the field of mental health; and a bachelor's degree or any equivalent combination of experience and training.
  
  

Knowledge/Abilities

Knowledge of the principles and practices of mental health program planning and development as it relates to the implementation of direct services and operational procedures.