Self-Sufficiency Specialist
Concord, CA
Full-Time, Temporary (32 – 40 hrs./per week)

Organization Description
Humanity Way Inc. is a grassroots organization who aspires to restore humanity by providing for people's basic needs, whether disadvantaged, in a crisis, or in need of emotional or psychological healing. We serve our community by providing housing, employment, and case management services.

Job Description
The Self-Sufficiency Specialist works closely with the Career Specialist(s), Continuum of Care, and other community partners to serve homeless individuals and families remove self-sufficiency barriers, obtain housing and/or employment and navigate systems. The Self-Sufficiency Specialist will work with diverse populations; the chronically homeless, the unemployed with multiple barriers such as mental health, substance use disorders, health conditions, or other disabilities.

This is a temporary position and will remain as Humanity Way Housing Plus Project (HPP) funds are available. Job duties for the position are to be performed in-person, remote opportunities vary as approved by the supervisor. Travel is required for this position.

You will:

• Assist in the intake and orientation process
• Conduct needs assessments, develop individual service plans (housing, employment, other supportive services).
• Identify and creatively assist in removing self-sufficiency barriers.
• Locate and build partnerships with business owners, realtors, landlords, housing developers and other service providers to assist clients in accessing resources.
• Outreach to pre-identified homeless persons and provide professional and culturally relevant support, advocacy, provide information and referrals in order to assess for eligibility, and engage and guide them through the housing application process.
• Develop and maintain relationships with Community-based organizations, and other partners
• Assist clients in completing various applications, obtaining documents and with system navigation.
• Carry and maintain caseload, assist clients in meeting their goals within project guidelines
• Support clients in moving into new housing and retention efforts should applications be accepted.
• Assist tenants with completing any required processes for housing provider’s certification/recertification processes
• Knowledge of local community resources and barriers related to the homeless population
• Prepare materials for making presentations to realtors, property managers and property owners.
• Maintain a Property Manager/Owner Contact Log to meet set expectations.
• Establish, update, maintain and communicate a list of available housing opportunities

• Identify appropriate permanent housing options for clients such as subsidized housing, Section 8,
• Shelter Plus Care, and VASH, as well as permanent supportive housing, affordable and market rate housing, and other housing opportunities.

• Mediate with landlords, obtaining utilities and making moving arrangements when indicated.
• Mediate disputes between homeless persons and neighborhood stakeholders.
• Assess properties for compliance with industry regulations and inspection readiness.
• Educate tenants on Housing Rights and Fair Housing and Reasonable Accommodations. Be able to complete assessments of tenants and create an individual housing case plan with written recommendations.
• Network with other agencies, coalitions, and local community meetings.
• Complete assessments of tenants and create an individual housing case plan with written recommendations.
• Maintain up-to-date client file content for accuracy and completeness: regularly review and prepare reports for submission to the agency and contractor, when appropriate.
• Ensure contract benchmarks and agency standards are met.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

You have:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field or equivalent (combination of work and life experience)
• Ability to interact well with people from diverse economic, ethnic, and educational backgrounds
• Ability to inspire and work with difficult and service resistant clients respectfully and compassionately
• Minimum of three through five (3-5) years of case management experience serving homeless, low- income, mentally disabled, developmentally disabled, and chemically dependent persons required
• Two (2) years in property management, contract negotiation and housing inspection preferred
• Knowledge of housing resources, subsidy programs, and the Continuum of Care for homeless persons.
• Experience in developing individualized service, housing, and employment plans
• Experience in employment services (i.e., resume creation, job readiness, Job search and placement)
• Experience in facilitating group sessions and workshops and developing class materials.
• Ability to meet deadlines and complete multiple tasks in a timely manner
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Fluent in MS Office Suite and associated software, Internet search tools and video conference
• Strong organizational skills and able to work in an environment with high participant turn-over
• Able to perform all functions as described within what would be considered reasonable accommodation.

Even better:

• Knowledge of housing resources, subsidy programs, the Continuum of Care for homeless persons, and barriers related to homeless/underserved populations.
• Experience with the Housing First model, SDC VI-SPDAT and HMIS system, housing resources and community housing services, housing applications and related material is strongly preferred
• Experience in developing individualized housing plans, facilitating group sessions and workshops, and developing class materials.
• Bilingual Spanish speaker

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Pay: $25.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Case management: 3 years (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Contra Costa County, CA (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Contra Costa County, CA: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 50% (Required)

Work Location: On the road