Community Access Specialist

Community Access Specialist

Access Center Services

Director of Access and Engagement

Access Centers serve as a vital entry point for individuals and families experiencing homelessness to connect with supportive services, basic needs resources, and pathways to stable housing. They operate as low-barrier, welcoming spaces that provide immediate relief through hygiene access, referrals, crisis support, and warm handoffs to case management or housing services. The Community Access Specialist ensures the cleanliness, safety, and functionality of the facility while providing direct assistance and supportive engagement to individuals utilizing the center. This position plays a vital role in creating a trauma-informed, participant-centered environment that upholds dignity, promotes stabilization, and fosters trust between participants and the service system.Essential Job Functions:· Greet all individuals entering the Access Center with empathy, dignity, and professionalism, promoting a nonjudgmental environment.· Maintain a calm and supportive presence in shared spaces, ensuring safety, accessibility, and respect for all participants.· Guide participants in accessing referrals to community partners such as shelters, food banks, mental health providers, employment programs, and health clinics.· Provide support during participant sign-ins or intake processes, including assistance with paperwork and wayfinding within the center.· Share printed outreach materials and verbally communicate available services to those near or entering the facility.· Respond to participant concerns by offering compassionate de-escalation, referring participants to appropriate case management or supervisory staff when needed.· Utilize techniques such as motivational interviewing and active listening to engage participants respectfully and encourage self-directed progress.· Distribute essential resources such as hygiene kits, clothing, food bags, and water, ensuring individuals understand what services are available on-site.· Conduct regular walk-throughs of the facility to identify potential safety or maintenance issues and promptly report to the Supervisor.· Document incidents and relevant interactions clearly and promptly, in accordance with agency guidelines.· Support the safety of the environment by responding immediately and professionally to any emergencies or disturbances occurring within or around the facility.· Track the distribution of resources and supplies using established logs or data entry systems.· Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming space by completing daily janitorial tasks, including cleaning restrooms, common areas, lobby, offices, and outdoor perimeters.· Sanitize high-touch surfaces multiple times throughout the day to reduce health risks and promote public hygiene.· Ensure orderly storage of supplies, donations, and resource materials to support smooth access and inventory tracking.· Assist external service providers during scheduled community engagement events or co-located service hours to ensure smooth collaboration and service access.· Contribute to accurate and timely reporting by supporting completion of weekly, monthly, and quarterly documentation as directed.· Work collaboratively with internal staff, partners, and service providers to align supports and contribute to effective care planning.· Promote a participant-centered service model grounded in Housing First, Harm Reduction, and Trauma-Informed Care principles.· Maintain strict confidentiality of participant records in accordance with HIPAA and organizational policies.· Attend and participate in required staff trainings, supervision, team meetings, and case conferencing to stay informed and aligned with best practices.

· Adhere to all agency policies and procedures, including those related to confidentiality, child abuse reporting, and ethical standards.

· Perform additional tasks or responsibilities as assigned to support program goals and outcomes

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

· Clear understanding of the concepts of Housing First, Harm Reduction, Trauma Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, and the Coordinated Entry System

· Knowledge and understanding of policy, systems, and local programs that impact homeless persons and related public funding sources, regulations, requirements, and procedures

· Knowledge of best practice models for assisting homeless people with varying degrees of needs/conditions and have a strong understanding of contractual requirements/compliance and applicable performance measures

· Knowledge of issues facing homeless individuals (e.g. chronic health, substance abuse, mental health, domestic abuse and resources for undocumented individuals)

· Knowledge of community social service agencies and resources

· Work effectively under conditions of limited supervision, high stress and rapidly changing situations and circumstances

· Ability to handle common problems without supervisor intervention while knowing when supervisor participation is warranted

· Must be able to exercise initiative, independent good judgment, flexibility, discretion, and solid decision making

· Ability to respond quickly and effectively to individuals who may be ill, using substances, lack of personal care, in crisis situations and/or potentially hostile situations

· Ability to work with a diverse population and provide culturally competent advocacy

· Actively promote positive, nurturing interactions between participants and employees

· Ability to deescalate aggressive/agitated individuals

· Able to take appropriate steps to deal with emergency situations with the goal of maintaining the safety of all participants

· Must be able to successfully manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, adjust to changing; circumstances, and demonstrate confidence working with diverse stakeholders

· Demonstrate the ability to utilize strong judgement and interpersonal skills to manage sensitive participant interactions including with those who may be in distress with acute illness, substance use issues, co-morbidity of behavioral and physical health issues in addition to homelessness

· Project a professional demeanor and a high level of professionalism when dealing with sensitive matters

· Outstanding communication skills, both written and oral; must communicate professionally and positively with participants, co-workers, management, community partners, employers, landlords, and other service providers

· Promote cooperation and commitment within a team to achieve goals and objective; collaborate with team members, sharing ideas and differences openly; be receptive to new ideas and adapt to change as necessary

· Strict confidentiality must be observed as it relates to participant information, agency business, program decisions and all other personal information

· Considers impact of personal and professional choices. Consistently make decisions in keeping with organizational values and Supervisor’s direction

· Excellent organizational skills and the ability to follow through from beginning to end on tasks

· Proficient with office communication equipment and machines (telephone, copier, calculator, fax machine, personal computer, laptop, computer printer and scanner)

· Proficient in use of laptop/desktop computer, Microsoft Windows and Office software programs (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Google drive

· Strong time management skills and the ability to multi-task and prioritize in a fast-paced environment, while exercising sound judgment

· Ability to work a flexible schedule; including nights, days, weekends and holidays

· Ability to respond to emergencies some evenings and weekends as necessary

· Use of a personal vehicle may be required to travel in and around Antelope Valley and/or Los Angeles County and periodically transport participants

· Maintain professional boundaries and work collaboratively with participants, volunteers and staff

· Accountability – be on time for scheduled shifts

· Be able to read and write English

· Bilingual Preferred but not required

Qualifications & Experience:

· High School Graduate or equivalent

· Bachelor’s Degree in Social/Human Services or related field, strongly preferred

· One year experience in case management for homeless individuals

· Experience with homeless, vulnerable and/or diverse population

· Education may be substituted by years of experience

Agency Requirements:

· Must have a valid California Driver’s License

· Reliable Transportation

· Auto insurance

· Clean Driving Record

Work Conditions & Physical Demands

An employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job must meet physical demands described:

· May be in contact with individuals in crisis

· May experience unpleasant sensory demands associated with an individual’s use of alcohol and drugs, and lack of personal care

· May experience crisis situations and potentially hostile situations, must be ready to respond quickly and effectively.

An employee is required to:

Walk and climb stairs; Handle, grasp and feel objects and equipment; Reach with hands and arms; extend both arms above the head and/or reach below the waist; Communicate ideas and information verbally and written word; Be able to move oneself quickly and easily from place to place; Repeat various motions with hands, wrists, fingers; Climb on stools, steps and/or ladders; Be subject to outside environmental conditions, including but not limited to: Rain, heat, wind; lift at least 10 lbs.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. If accommodation(s) are required, employee must inform Human Resources by the first week of employment. If an accommodation is not required at the time of employment, but is later required, you must inform Human Resources at the time it is needed.

Benefits

Health

Employee Assistance Plan

Paid Sick

Dental

AFLAC

Paid Vacation

Vision

Cafeteria 125 Plan

Personal Days

Acupuncture/Chiropractic

Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

14 Observed Holidays

Schedule:

Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm (may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends, holidays and/or on call status)

Salary Range:

$24.00 – 26.00 per hour

An Equal Opportunity Employer: Selection will be based solely on merit and will be without discrimination because of age, race, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $24.00 - $26.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Work Location: In person

Salary : $24 - $26