Supportive Employment Specialist

Reports to: Program Manager 

Pay Range: $26.29-$31.83 hourly

Hours: Full Time, Monday to Friday 8am-4:30pm

Benefits: Medical Dental, life/disability, retirement, vacation & sick leave 

Position type: Non-Exempt, Non-union position

 The Supportive Employment Specialist partners directly with residents to remove barriers to employment and support long-term housing stability. Through person-centered navigation, the Supportive Employment Specialist helps clients identify career goals, develop job readiness skills, and access training, education, and employment opportunities that align with their goals. The Supportive Employment Specialist facilitates classes and workshops on topics such as resume building and enhancement, interviewing, and workplace readiness, while also providing individualized coaching and support. This role bridges housing and workforce development systems, ensuring clients receive the resources, training, and advocacy needed to succeed at work and maintain stable housing. 

In coordination with housing case managers, property staff, and community partners, the Supportive Employment Specialist works with residents across a range of housing stability circumstances, including individuals who have received rental arrears or other short-term housing stabilization assistance. The Specialist supports residents in strengthening income 

stability through employment planning, benefits coordination, and job readiness, helping ensure that time-limited assistance is paired with realistic pathways toward long-term housing sustainability. 

This position emphasizes empowerment, trauma-informed engagement, and cross-system collaboration to promote sustainable outcomes. The role requires accurate documentation, data entry, and tracking of progress toward client and program goals, contributing to quality assurance and continuous improvement across the program. 

Responsibilities: 

● Manages a portfolio of sites with a dynamic caseload across LIHI’s housing.

● Coordinates receipt of Medicaid eligible referrals and conducts screenings of potential residents including FCS, SNAP, TANF and any other relevant programs. 

● Works directly with Property Management staff , and Supportive Services Staff to identify potential sites and clients as well as coordinating common area space usage for training. 

● Provides initial and ongoing assessments, career planning, outreach, advocacy, referrals & sustainability planning for all enrolled clients.

● Establishes employment goals and objectives with clients as part of the FCS/Housing team, with particular focus on achieving permanent employment in adherence to program guidelines. 

● Coordinates and documents progress toward program and enrollment goals. 

● Regularly updates all relevant documentation platforms with client case notes and status changes. 

● Facilitates weekly resume workshops, education groups, and some outings/activities. 

● Initiates and facilitates client involvement with hiring events. 

● Weekly check-ins with FCS Program Manager (PM) for support and oversight. 

● Consults with supervisor and completes prompt reports on client engagement. 

● Refers clients to community-based services as appropriate. 

● Tracks the services/supports residents receive from other community providers; networks and coordinates with service providers; advocates as needed to speed access to resources/services. 

● Accompanies clients to work/education related appointments as needed. 

● Coordinates joint case conferences if/when deemed necessary.  

● Promptly seeks resolution to issues that arise for the client in the course of residency. 

● Takes the lead in work readiness needs, strengths and limitations of all assigned clients; completes summaries of all clients on caseload and discusses outreach efforts for clients with whom no face to face contact has occurred. 

● Assist FCS PM with all internal and external Fidelity reviews and training as needed. 

● Coordinate veteran/service connected resources. 

● Supports and participates in advocacy efforts to ensure housing stability while employment transitions take place.  

● Participates in Quality Assurance activities related to file audit and preparation. 

● Able to process and submit expense reports, as needed. 

● Foster a professional and safe environment. 

● Engage with assigned training and comply with training deadlines. 

● Utilize Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and follow PPE protocols. 

● Other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications 

● Able to read, write and communicate in English. 

● Minimum of 1 year work experience in Workforce Development or related field 

● Bachelor degree in Social Work or related field or At least two years of experience in providing case management services. 

● Strong organizational and time-management skills are necessary.  

● Well-developed emotional intelligence & interpersonal skills. 

● Ability to independently de-escalate/resolve conflict. 

● Computer experience and literacy. 

● Strong interpersonal and motivational interviewing skills. 

● Strong ability to think and operate independently.

Preferred Qualifications 

● 5 years experience in employment services or supportive services ● Skills in group facilitation 

Other Requirements: 

● Must have reliable transportation. 

● Must pass criminal background checks and drug screening.

Benefits for this position (pro-rated for part time employees)

• Generous vacation and sick leave
• 10 paid holidays and 1 floating holiday
• Employer-Paid Medical, Dental, and Vision (with HRA, HSA & FSA options)
• Employer-Paid Life and AD&D Insurance 
• 401k offered for unionized employees (through OPEIU8)
• 403b offered for non-union employees
• Employee Assistance Program
• Travel Assistance Program
• Aflac offered for all employees.

About us:

The Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) has a 30-year history and track record of owning and managing low-income housing; developing innovative solutions to homelessness; advocating for housing justice; providing supportive services; and operating hygiene services for homeless people at our Urban Rest Stops. LIHI staff have developed over 5,000 affordable housing units and manages over 3,000 units including rental housing, permanent supportive housing and transitional housing. The populations served include: families, singles, seniors, veterans, young adults, immigrants, low wage workers, and people living with physical and mental disabilities. LIHI is one of the largest nonprofit housing organizations in the state. Our properties are located in Seattle, King County, and five adjacent counties. LIHI is a national leader in sponsoring tiny house villages as a crisis solution to homelessness. Annually, the tiny house villages and shelters serve 2,000 homeless people and our hygiene programs serve over 8,000 homeless people. LIHI staff is collaborative, dynamic, and dedicated to taking bold steps in ending homelessness and creating supportive communities for people to thrive.