INTAKE SPECIALIST

Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Intake Specialist is responsible for conducting an interview in order to collect Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) data for all Denver Rescue Mission (DRM) guests at Denver based facilities including Lawrence Street Shelter (LSS), the Lawrence Street Community Center (LSCC), Holly Center (CS), 48th Avenue Center (48th), and The Crossing (TC). The Intake Specialist is additionally seeking to identify men who are interested in changing their lives from homelessness to more stability and appropriately referring to the DRM location best suited to meeting their needs. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

 General Duties

• Provides initial intake sessions at LSCC for individuals new to homelessness and shelter to provide the guest with a clarity card and enter their basic information into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) database and DRM database. 
• Conducts appropriate assessments when applicable 
• Understands the DRM shelters and programs with the intention to appropriately refer individuals ready to transition to long-term housing solutions. 
• Develops/maintains the relationships necessary to coordinate warm referrals to the appropriate DRM sites. 
• Engages in problem solving with crisis management teams on the occasion that a client is inappropriate for shelter. 
• Engages with community partners and resources on a professional level to resolve complex cases. 

Core Areas of Responsibility

• With the supervision of the Intake Manager and Associate Director of Shelters, maintains initial information on every guest accessing DRM services.  
• With the supervision of the Intake Manager and Associate Director of Shelters, interviews and assigns men to an appropriate DRM site according to current needs.  
• Seeks out guests with HMIS database alerts to notify them of their eligibility to receive government/community resources. 
• Completes all intake, tracking, and ongoing workflows within the SCRIBE database. Seeks to update or double check data ensuring maximum accuracy. Advocates for SCRIBE by communicating ideas and challenges associated with utilizing it. 
• Provides guests with an overview of community structure, expectations and requirements. Also, briefs guests on DRM program options and uses motivational interviewing to explore possibilities for realistic future housing goals. 
• Functions as a gatekeeper for the shelter and identifies guests beyond the ability of the shelter as in the case of extreme mental health, or inability to care for activity of daily living (ADLs). Contacts the Intake Manager and Associate Director of Shelters to address urgent guest needs for appropriate referral to community partners.  

Interns & Volunteers

• In cooperation with the Clinical Department, welcomes interns and/or volunteers to support their learning and growth by welcoming them to shadow intakes and support of guests. 

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent work experience) in a helping profession such as counseling, social work, business or education, preferred. Addiction certification preferred. 
• 2 years of direct engagement with individuals experiencing homelessness and identifying barriers to housing, preferred.
• A combination of education and experience can be substituted.
• Ability to obtain and maintain CPR certification within 90 days of hire date.
• Ability to interview guests and input information collected into the DRM and HMIS databases. HMIS Certification completed within 30 days of hire.
• Proven ability to maintain composure during stressful situations. 
• Well-developed interpersonal and relationship building skills. 
• Clear communication skills – both verbal and written. Ability to motivationally interview or de-escalate. 
• Proven ability to manage conflict with and between, subordinates, peers, and superiors, expeditiously and respectfully. 
• Track-record of work with low-income, homeless and/or indigent individuals and families. 
• Must be willing to work a variable schedule to include some nights and/or weekends in order to provide coverage for the desk Sunday through Saturday.
• Active Driver’s License as a limited amount of work-related travel may be required.
• Must be a Christian holding to the beliefs set forth in the Statement of Faith, expressed by a personal testimony and Christian conduct. 

NOTE: A limited amount of work-related travel may be required.

Denver Rescue Mission is both an equal opportunity employer and a distinctly faith-based Christian organization. Denver Rescue Mission complies with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, and strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, national original or ancestry, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, citizenship, parental status, marital status, political ideology, or current or prospective service in the uniformed services. This policy applies to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment including recruitment, employment, training, and promotion opportunities. Based upon Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, and the U.S. Constitution, Denver Rescue Mission has the right to, and does, hire only candidates who agree with our Statement of Faith and align with our Christian mission.

Salary : $22 - $27