The City of Issaquah is currently seeking an Emergency Housing Program Specialist to assist individuals who are homeless in Issaquah in their transition towards becoming housed and self-sufficient members in the community. The Emergency Housing Program Specialist is a social services professional who works directly with Issaquah community members who are enrolled in temporary housing at the Emergency Housing Pilot Program located at Motel 6 In Issaquah. This is a limited term position scheduled to end in December of 2024, however the position is anticipated to become permanent during the 2025 – 2026 biennium, pending budget approval by City Council. 
 
The incumbent in this position will have the opportunity to join an excellent team dedicated to shaping the growth and direction of the Human Services Division within the city, in partnership with the community, the Human Services Commission, the Equity Board, and the City Council.
 
 The Emergency Housing Program Specialist will have the opportunity to:

• Support social services needs for individuals who are enrolled in temporary housing and assist with transition to permanent housing.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the program (provision of meals, basic needs, transportation, social and occupational activities, ensure preestablished rules and protocols are followed, etc.)
• Collaborate with other service providers (housing, employment, educational, mental health, and other community resources) with roles in supporting individuals in the program.

Come join our team! Our mission - we enhance lives through public service.
PROGRAM BACKGROUND
 
In 2021, the City of Issaquah established a Homeless Outreach program to respond to the needs of the community by connecting unhoused persons in Issaquah to needed social services aimed at beginning the transition out of homelessness. Created originally as a pilot project, the goal of the program during its first year was to provide quantitative and qualitative data regarding homelessness in Issaquah, and to help inform future service and programmatic needs.
 
Information obtained from the Homeless Outreach program was included in the City’s first Human Services Strategic Plan, adopted in March 2022. Identifying and implementing effective ways to respond to homelessness was one of the needs and strategic priorities called out in the Plan.
 
The City of Issaquah also created a Homeless Outreach Dashboard to track data, and to share timely updates, highlights, and complex challenges regarding homelessness with the community. 
 
The pilot Emergency Housing Program (EHP) provides the opportunity to explore creative solutions to help respond to homelessness in Issaquah. The Emergency Housing model bridges the gap between street, congregate shelters, and permanent housing. Identified as a current need in the continuum of housing services to support unhoused persons, the Emergency Housing model offers a stable and more dignified place for people to receive services while waiting for permanent housing. It has been proven to be a better and more successful option than the congregate shelter model and provides for increased retention of permanent options, reducing the likelihood to fall back into homelessness, and for a reduced impact on the community and public spaces.
 
To help respond to the needs in the community, the Issaquah Emergency Housing Program serves unhoused community members, ages 18 and over. To be eligible for the program, participants must meet acceptance criteria, including but not limited to having been active in the Issaquah Behavioral Health and Homeless Outreach Program for a minimum of one month, participate in daily programs activities, including but not limited to actively addressing and maintaining health care needs, working towards building a supportive network, working towards educational, employment, and long-term housing goals.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

• Reports to the Human Services Manager
• Collaborates with members across Departments including Parks & Community Services, Municipal Court, & Police
• Works under general supervision

Position open until filled with priority given to applications received immediately.
EQUITY STATEMENT The City of Issaquah strives to be a diverse workforce that is representative of the community we serve. We value a variety of perspectives and life experiences and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. Applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected status under federal, state and local laws. We believe diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to the success of our City operations.  

• Oversees the day-to-day operations of the program (provision basic needs, transportation, connection to social services, housing, vocational and behavioral health services, ensure preestablished rules and protocols are followed, etc.). Program hours of operations are 8:00am-11:00pm, 7 days/week. Employees work rotating schedules to include weekend coverage every three weeks. Schedules may vary dependent on candidates’ availability and program requirements.
• Works directly with the City’s Behavioral Health and Homeless Outreach Program to identify eligible persons for the program, coordinate referrals into the program, and to coordinate services for persons referred. Referrals into the program will be made directly by the Issaquah Human Services Division.
• Collaborates with Motel 6 staff for ongoing coordination including but not limited to motel rules, and housekeeping services.
• Works individually with persons enrolled in the program to identify and implement specific goals created at program entry for each social determinants of health: personal, social & community integration, health & healthcare access, education, career & economic stability. Conduct intake assessments and review program rules, expectations, transition, and exit criteria.
• Collaborates with City staff to ensure participants are involved in daily program activities, at minimum between 9:00am and 3:00pm to include participation in employment, housing search, self-care support, treatment and health care follow-up, community service, etc. 
• Collaborates with other service providers (employment, educational, mental health, and other community resources) with roles in supporting individuals in the program.
• Conducts weekly assessment of progress in services, ensure measurable progress towards established goals, and adjust service provision based on unique needs of the persons served.
• Tracks data and progress towards goals and ensure successful achievement of program outcomes.
• Participates in case consultations and program evaluation meetings. 
• Promotes best practices in treatment approaches, support systems and interventions. 
• Prepares, submits and/or presents written materials and reports for a variety of audiences, including service providers, medical personnel, Jail, Courts, attorneys, police officers and supervisors, Department Directors, Boards & Commissions, Mayor, or City Council. 
• Provides information to courts and attorneys, as needed. May attend and testify at court hearings or other legal proceedings.
• Participates in program development and ongoing program evaluation. Develop metrics to measure the effectiveness of programs and compliance with funding requirements. Act as integral part of the team and help design, implement, maintain, and evaluate all aspects of this program, consistent with Division, Department and City goals, and in compliance with applicable regulations and laws.
• Coordinates with other City of Issaquah Departments in a multi-faceted and cooperative approach to achieve City Goals. 

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
 

• Bachelor’s degree in behavioral health, social work, psychology, or related field.
• Minimum of one year experience in direct service delivery, program coordination and planning, or any combination of education and experience which would provide the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge, and ability required to perform the job. 

Licenses and Certifications:
 

• Valid Washington State driver's license with driving record free from serious or frequent violations.
• Preferred: certification or licensure in the human services field

* Lived experience of homelessness and related work experience may be considered in lieu of licensure or education.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
 
Work is performed both in an office setting at Motel 6 in Issaquah, and, in the field, accompanying staff or participants to designated areas in a vehicle, or on foot. Incumbents are exposed to inclement weather conditions, uneven terrain, and potentially dangerous situations. Varying work schedules may be required.

• Thorough knowledge of local and regional community, housing, and human services programs, resources, and systems to include a wide range of populations including individuals with behavioral health conditions, persons with limited incomes, and limited English proficiency, individuals who are homeless, or have limited supports.
• Ability to develop and implement programs to assist in meeting the health and human services needs of City residents seeking behavioral health treatment and aftercare support, permanent housing, & emergency services. 
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local behavioral health applicable laws and regulations.
• Knowledge and skills in conducting psycho-social assessments, treatment planning, crisis de-escalation, interventions, transition and discharge planning, and service case note writing.
• Competency in conflict resolution, de-escalation techniques, and problem-solving.
• Knowledge and competency in lifespan development, multi-cultural service delivery, behavioral health symptoms and social characteristics affecting the population served.
• Knowledge of mental health behaviors and substance use symptoms, and appropriate treatment referrals and resources. 
• Knowledge of needs and services for persons who are homeless.
• Awareness of cultural navigation services and ability to access them to benefit persons served.
• Familiarity with Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security Disability Income guidelines; Community systems and resources; Judicial procedures, corrections environment.
• Safety practices and policies, applicable laws, ordinances and regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Writing and research techniques. Grant application and administration; contract administration.
• Ability to communicate effective both orally and in writing. Bonus: ability to speak a second language.
• Ability to meet schedules and timelines 
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment with multiple projects and inter-related community goals.