Family Self-Sufficiency Specialist

ROCKFORD HOUSING AUTHORITY

Job Description

FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY SPECIALIST

SALARY LEVEL: SCHEDULE A LEVEL 10

DEPARTMENT: RESIDENT PROGRAMMING UNION: AFSCME SUPERVISOR: Director of Resident Services or designee

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: Under general supervision of the Director of Resident Services or designee, the Family Self-Sufficiency Specialist shall facilitate and coordinate a wide range of specialized human services and activities in the case management of participants enrolled in the Family Self-Sufficiency program, the purpose of which is to assist these families in becoming economically independent of welfare assistance within five years of signing a contract of participation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Maintain a working knowledge of FSS Rules; federally through the Federal Register, regionally through
  
  

correspondence from our local HUD office, and locally through the continued development of RHA's three- phased FSS Program.

• Assist in the articulation of goals for FSS participants clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing.
• Maintain and keep current individual files on FSS participants; compile required documentation in the
  
  

completion of goals and objectives stated in the Individual Service Plan.

• Handle problems of FSS participants expeditiously and develop a spirit of teamwork among multi-agency
  
  

personnel and participants.

• Coordinate services for FSS participants in cooperation with other agencies/service providers.
• Ensure that necessary participant information is copied to the appropriate intra-agency department; i.e.,
  
  

Finance, Administration, Management, Section 8, etc..

• Maintain an effective working relationship with RHA staff, relevant community agencies, and FSS participants.
  
  

Specific Duties

• Responsible for the coordination/organization of FSS services to participants.
• Responsible for understanding and complying with FSS Rules.
• Responsible for participant recruitment and enrollment in FSS.
• Responsible for maintaining a system of case management for program participants.
• Maintains FSS Waiting Lists for LIPH and Section 8.
  
  

FSS Specialist

• Responsible for creating individual service plans for FSS participants.
• Understands, articulates, and continues the development of RHA's three-phased FSS Program.
• Responsible for assisting in the coordination of community resources/services, so as not to duplicate pre-
  
  

existing services.

• Coordinates on-site programming/services in collaboration with community facilitators for FSS participants. 10. Responsible for maintaining and assisting in creating forms to be used in the FSS filing system.
• Maintains all HUD information, correspondence, relevant documentation on FSS in a filing system.
• Advocates for Program participants.
• Assists in the coordination of the monthly Program Coordinating Committee and Task Forces (as assigned). 14. Responsible for maintaining non-financial agreements between RHA and agencies/service providers.
• Represents FSS/Resident Services on different community-wide committees (as assigned).
• Perform other duties as needed to achieve the goals and objectives of the Family Self-Sufficiency Program.
  
  

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: 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.

• Ability to work effectively in situations requiring independent judgment and performance and willingness to
  
  

engage in continuing related training and education.

• Must have exhibited good work records and attendance at previous jobs as attested by reference from previous and present employers or performance evaluation reports prepared by present and previous
  
  

supervisors.

• Must have prior experience in current systems of case management and advocacy.
• Proficient in oral and written communications.
  
  

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: College Degree in Sociology, social work or a related field, with four years successful related experience in case management. Advanced degree is highly desirable; or

Two years of college in Sociology Social Work or a related field, combined with eight or more years of successful related work experience.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

2

FSS Specialist

The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions and is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.