Assessment Specialist

Position Summary:

Grassroots has an opening for Assessment Specialist – PT which engages with and provide outreach services to individuals who are experiencing unsafe and/or unstable housing. Services are client-centered and delivered in the community through outreach to encampments, community co-locations, and other connections. The Assessment Specialist collaborates with clients, other staff, volunteers, landlords, and partnering organizations to satisfy clients’ housing needs. The Assessment Specialist will, in addition to community outreach, coordinate additional services, present to, and maintain liaison relationships with schools and other community business/partners. The position also involves answering the Grassroots crisis line to providing resources, de-escalation, scheduling appointments to complete the VSPDAT and Visual Verification documentation. The Assessment Specialist is responsible for providing excellent service to those accessing the service by applying the equivalent of reflective listening and motivational interviewing skills in the context of telephonic and face-to-face exchanges. The AS is patient, knowledgeable, empathetic and helpful. On-site, part time role.

Available Shift:

• Part-time, Five (5) days per week / Monday - Friday; 2:00pm – 6:00pm.

Education and Experience:

• Associate’s Degree from an accredited school in Human Services or related field.
• One year of experience in connecting individuals to essential services including healthcare, mental health, and addiction services.
• One year of experience completing intake assessments.
• Computer skills with various software – Microsoft Products proficient skills required
• Possession of a valid driver’s license required and access to personal vehicle
• Knowledge of homelessness issues a plus.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Works assigned shift and arrives to work properly attired 5-10 minutes prior to shift starting.
• Conducts housing, vulnerability assessment VSPDAT and visual verification thoroughly.
• Develop and maintain a working knowledge of affordable housing and related resources in Howard County and surrounding areas.
• Makes appropriate referrals to other agencies
• Assure case files are complete and orderly, complying with Grassroots standards and grant requirements.
• Accurately document and track all services provided to households & enter into ServicePoint Howard County’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) in a timely manner, assessments, all interactions notes and all other services into the system within 24 hours.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date client records in the HMIS ServicePoint database, complying with all HMIS policies and processes for data entry and client confidentiality.
• Participate in regular meetings to share progress on individuals experiencing homelessness and collaborate for potential problem solving.
• Acts as a liaison between Crisis lines and other crisis programs, such as Shelter, Cold Weather Shelter, Code Blue, Day Resource Center, Springboard, etc.
• Complete trainings as required by Grassroots Crisis Intervention.

Secondary Responsibilities:

• Assist coordination of services for Code Blue and Cold Weather Shelter Clients
• Other duties as assigned, required or needed.

Agency-wide Responsibilities:

• Reads 100% of all email communications and responds to emails in a timely manner prior or during their shifts.
• Participates in supervision, in-service training, and staff meetings.
• Maintains good working relationships with co-workers and positively contributes to group morale.
• Completes all administrative duties including time sheets, leave requests, etc. on time.
• Uses appropriate channels of communication to resolve conflicts with other staff.
• Interacts with staff, clients, and visitors in a professional and courteous manner.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work independently with confidence, as well as work as an integral part of a team of professionals.
• Willingness to adopt Harm Reduction and Housing First principles and apply them to work with clients.
• Approaches change with a positive, open-minded attitude.
• Able to work with individuals with disabilities, emotionally upset, and at times challenging clients.
• Demonstrates personal integrity and has well-developed interpersonal skills necessary to engage clients and promote positive relationships with other community agencies and providers.
• Displays strong attention to detail and notices discrepancies easily.
• Able to be flexible and work as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Able to take initiative and problem solve.
• Must be mature, empathetic; flexible and adaptable to varying situations and coverage needs.
• Ability to consistently adhere to call center program policies and procedures.
• Skilled in the use of technology including telephones, computers (PC), laptops, software and email.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Manages multiple tasks at one time; quickly and accurately shifts attention among multiple tasks under distracting conditions without loss of accuracy or appearance of frustration.
• Reads, writes and speaks fluent English in order to convey information and ideas effectively. Demonstrates exceptionally strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to prepare concise and accurate records and reports.
• Demonstrates a strong ability to properly identify and analyze problems. Able to follow the proper policies and procedures to solve identified problems.
• Consistently ensures that participants are provided with attentive, courteous and informative service. Gains and shows personal satisfaction from delivering expected service elements.
• Willing to work with others, collaborating and compromising where necessary; promptly share relevant information with others.
• Is open to changing situations and opportunities and is willing to perform all tasks assigned.
• Maintains a positive outlook, rebounds quickly from frustrations and unpleasantness, and maintains composure and friendly demeanor while dealing with stressful situations.
• Gives full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate.

Work Conditions:

• Holiday coverage may be required.
• Hours can vary depending on coverage needs.
• Required to use personal vehicle and mileage reimbursement is provided.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $24.50 per hour

Expected hours: 25 per week

Education:

• Associate (Required)

Experience:

• Behavioral health: 1 year (Preferred)
• Addiction counseling: 1 year (Preferred)
• Case management: 1 year (Preferred)
• Mental health counseling: 1 year (Preferred)
• Community engagement: 1 year (Preferred)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Columbia, MD 21045 (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 50% (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $25