Housing Specialist | Hampden County

Why Work for Gandara:

Explore the career pathways in Behavioral Health, Substance Use and Recovery, Community Based Clinical services, Adolescent and Family services, Adult Residential, Maintenance and Administration! Whether that is in an entry level or leadership role, Gandara will provide the tools and resources to better enhance your career growth. The opportunities are presented with the ability to transition your skills and experience in meeting the organizations mission. There is grand landscape of opportunities that supports the community we serve, so Join the Gándara team today!

Benefits:

• Retirement Plan 403(b)
• Health, Dental, Vision, Pet and Life Insurance
• Paid vacations
• Paid holidays
• 8 discretionary days
• Mileage Reimbursement

Additional Benefits:

• Career Growth Opportunities
• Culturally Diverse population
• Student Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
• Clinical Licensing Support

Job Title: Housing Specialist | Hampden County

Hourly Range : $19 - $20.50

Work Location: Holyoke, Ma.

*Bilingual Candidates Encouraged to Apply 

*EOE M/F/D/V

*Union/Non-Union

Job Summary:

The SHINE Franklin County Young Adult Housing Coordinator (Housing Coordinator) is responsible for the administration of the Transitional Housing and Rapid Rehousing Programs in Franklin County and the supervision of the Housing Specialist and Direct Care staff in the program. The Housing Coordinator is responsible for monitoring the program files and other paper work. In conjunction with the Supportive Housing Services Manager, the Housing Coordinator is responsible for monitoring data entry and reporting requirements for the TH/RRH and RRH components of the SHINE Program in Franklin County. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Create a positive and supportive team providing trauma-informed, client-centered care to Young Adults and Young Families experiencing homelessness.
• Engage potentially high risk clients in individualized case management, safety planning and planning for housing, employment, and/or education.
• Establish positive professional working relationships with families and individuals assessed and served in the TH/RRH Program.
• With residents in TH housing, provide in-home individualized case management, advocacy, safety planning and planning for housing, employment, and/or education to participants, including, but not limited to, the following activities: Assist participants in finding permanent housing, work closely with landlords, meet with participants at least once a week, monitor progress of participants in accordance with tools provided and adjust as needed.
• Maintain positive relationships with landlords renting to young adults in RRH.
• Provide aftercare outreach and assistance.
• Provide linkages to community resources which increase opportunities for stable housing and economic independence
• Develop relationships with potential funding sources, establish and maintain community linkages and collateral contacts, including area shelters and local housing organizations
• Attend applicable meetings with network providers, the Network to End Homelessness, and others as necessary
• Participate in collaborating on projects with other agencies/CoC as applicable to the position and knowledge base.
• Monitoring program files and other paper work.
• Complete all required reports and tracking tools for participants, funding sources and the Agency. In conjunction with the Supportive Housing Services Manager, monitor data entry and reporting requirements for the TH/RRH program in Franklin County.
• Be available to work evenings/weekends, when necessary.
• Respond to after-hours work related phone calls

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide supervision and coaching to Housing Specialist and the Direct Care staff.
• Train, coach, mentor, and motivate all levels of staff; 
• Balance competing demands and satisfy the conflicting needs of a multi-stakeholder-based constituency with tact and diplomacy; 
• Offer ideas and solutions that are creative and cost-effective; 
• Identify trends, assess risk, define problems, collect data, establish facts and make recommendations which support the strategic direction of the organization; 
• Be flexible and adapt to a changing work environment and work priorities;
• Work in a fast-paced, multiple-tasking, conflicting-priority mode with tight deadlines

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associates degree and/or 3 years of experience in homeless services required. Bachelor’s degree preferred. Lived experience of housing insecurity strongly preferred.
• Supervision experience required.
• Experience working with pregnant and parenting adults required.
• Ability to work effectively with other community agencies (i.e. School Dept., DCF. Juvenile Court, etc.) Required.
• Demonstrated ability to be innovative, creative, analytical and decisive in problem solving required.
• Ability to structure and organize job responsibilities independently required.
• Ability to deal with diverse population required.
• Ability to maintain client files and electronic records required; knowledge of HMIS preferred.
• Ability to actively market and promote services preferred
• Commitment to racial equity and inclusive practices.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

The Gándara Mental Health Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training