Summary:
Work involves orienting all eligible residents to the housing process and providing housing search and supportive services to promote residents' independence, integration into the community, and permanency in housing. Performs administrative tasks involved in the review and maintenance of a caseload of Center residents. Position requires building and maintaining a reliable and engaged community-network of housing and service providers. The principal duties are performed in a general office environment and in the field and community where Beth-El Center residents are working to obtain permanent, stable housing.
Job Responsibilities:
• Assess housing barriers of individuals and families experiencing homelessness to determine housing and service needs.
• Assist participants in locating and securing housing of their choice.
• Provide mediation and advocacy on the clients' behalf with landlords to develop a workable plan to obtain and/or maintain housing.
• Create and maintain consistent communication channels, both verbal and written, between several parties (i.e. tenant, landlord, referral source, collaborating agencies, debtors and creditors). Provide information and referral assistance regarding available support from appropriate social service agencies and/or community programs
• Assist in development of and encourage adherence to a personal budget through pro-active budget counseling sessions.
• Identify participant strengths and barriers to stability and progress towards independence; this includes support, advocacy, reducing isolation, listening, problem solving and identification of resources to assist with reintegration of participants in the community.
• Apply knowledge of residential lease contracts to educate clients of their rights and responsibilities.
• Assess assigned clients within three working days of admission to develop the client's service plan. Perform goal setting, contract building, daily progress reports, case assessments, referrals and consulting.
• Collect and report program data, including but not limited to Homeless Information Management System (HMIS) reporting and funders' required data.
• Assess assigned clients within three working days of admission to develop the client's service plan. Perform goal setting, contract building, daily progress reports, case assessments, referrals and consulting.
• Maintain individual case files.
• Provide liaison, networking and advocacy on behalf of the client with other social service agencies.
• Explore housing, employment and support services options with the client.
• Assist with the development of new Beth-El Center programs.
• Maintain statistics and files reports as directed, including client data entry into the HMIS/Case Worthy database.
• Ensure statistical and HMIS data reporting to Department of Housing and other contractual requirements as appropriate.
• Meet weekly with the Director of Programs and Facilities to review client progress.
• Review daily log book entries and discuss any issues with Director of Programs and Facilities and Executive Director.
• Attend all professional development trainings as provided on a quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis.
• Attend monthly staff meetings.
• Ability to help and assist clients, especially in emergency case situations
• Other duties as assigned by immediate supervisor.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Four year degree from accredited college/university with a minimum of 3 years' experience working in human services. A Bachelor's degree in social work or related field may be substituted for one year of experience.
A demonstrated ability to establish empathetic relationships with the homeless population is essential. Knowledge of community resources is essential.
Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Requires knowledge and belief in "Housing First" philosophy and strategies.
• Excellent communication skills, particularly listening, mediation, and writing skills.
• Possess strong organizational skills with ability to meet a demanding workload.
• Detail oriented to complete requirements of contract compliance.
• Creative thinker/adaptive personality.
• Knowledge or understanding of tenant's rights and responsibilities as well as "strengths based" case management.
• Concentrated record keeping, budgeting, and mathematical skills; ability to produce required reports to federal, state. and local government agencies and funding sources.
• Demonstrated knowledge of community resources, social service agencies, and landlords.
• Fluency in the English language is required. Spanish speaking ability is an added asset, but is not required.
• Experience with computer and knowledge of Microsoft Office and HMIS Database.
• Valid driver's license and a car.
• Sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of population served.
• A commitment to empowering others to solve their own problems.
• A conviction about the capacity of people to grow and change.
• The ability to establish and set appropriate limits with persons served to help them gain skills and confidence.
• The ability to work collaboratively with other personnel and/or service providers (or professionals).
• The capacity to maintain a role to empower clients and to intervene appropriately to meet service goals.
Email your resume and cover letter to jparadis@bethelmilford.org.
Beth-El Center
90 New Haven Avenue
Milford, CT 06460
(203) 876-0747
info@bethelmilford.org
The Beth-El Center helps alleviate homelessness and hunger in the greater Milford, lower Naugatuck Valley and CT shoreline areas through shelter, support services, advocacy and community education in partnership with the faith-based community and public and private organizations.
