Stabilization Specialist, Mary Eliza Mahoney Shelter

Stabilization Specialist, Mary Eliza Mahoney Shelter

Join to apply for the Stabilization Specialist, Mary Eliza Mahoney Shelter role at The Dimock Center

The Stabilization Specialist assists families at the shelter prepare for, secure and maintain permanent housing. The Stabilization Specialist works closely with the Housing Specialist. The work includes, but is not limited to, identifying and addressing barriers that may prevent families from obtaining permanent housing, screening families for eligibility for various housing programs and assisting families to apply for them, developing individualized re‑housing and stabilization plans for each family or individual, working effectively with landlords, property managers, housing authorities, human service and community agencies to obtain and sustain permanent housing.

The work also entails conducting home visits and accompanying families and/or individuals to various community services. The Stabilization Specialist conducts home visits to families placed in permanent housing for up to two years after their placement.

Position hours: 7 am – 3 pm, Monday through Friday.

Education:

• Required – B.A. or B.S. degree. Preferred. Three years of experience in human services/housing/homelessness field may substitute for B.A./B.S., in which case a high school diploma is required.

Experience:

• Required – B.A. or B.S. degree and one year of experience in human services/housing/homelessness field. High school diploma with at least three years of experience in human services/housing/homelessness field also acceptable.

Knowledge/

Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of homeless and housing issues, including housing subsidies.
• Must be able to develop professional relationships with landlords, property managers, and other community personnel to secure and maintain permanent housing options.
• Must be able to work sensitively and effectively with people of diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Preferred bilingual in Spanish and English.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Must be willing to drive in Boston and surrounding communities.
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule at times, including some evening hours.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Ability to work both independently and as a team member.
• Ability to establish and maintain strong collegial relations with co‑workers and service providers.
• Good computer literacy.
• Demonstrates a customer focus.
• Demonstrates team spirit in carrying out responsibilities.
• Possesses a work ethic that supports agency policies and goals.

The employee is able to fulfill all of the requirements of the job assigned in a satisfactory manner as demonstrated by:

• Developing and maintaining a warm, friendly, professional, cooperative atmosphere in the shelter.
• Safeguarding privacy and confidentiality of residents and staff.
• Providing housing search and stabilization services for all families.
• Conducting house visits with all families placed in permanent housing for one year after placement.
• Accompanying families to community venues related to housing search and placement.
• Performing duties that ensure health, safety and well‑being of individuals and staff.
• Assisting families in development and implementation of Housing and Stabilization Plans.
• Maintaining appropriate records pertinent to Housing Search and Stabilization Plans.
• Implementing and instructing families in EOHLC regulations and guidelines.
• Assisting the shelter in meeting the EOHLC benchmark for rehousing families annually.
• Meeting with all families weekly to review housing stabilization plans.
• Attending staff meetings, management meetings, supervision meetings and other trainings.
• Maintaining current First Aid and CPR certificates.
• Maintaining professional courteous communication with families, co‑workers, community representatives, medical, legal, EOHLC personnel and others involved in families’ lives.
• Abiding by all Dimock personnel policies and procedures.
• Representing Dimock’s Mary Eliza Mahoney Shelter program to the public professionally.
• Other related tasks under Program Director’s direction.

• Adheres to center departmental policies and regulations.
• Can be depended upon to meet established standards and achieve desired results.
• Pays attention to detail.
• Prioritizes responsibilities to achieve desired results within required timeframe.
• Works as part of a team effort and takes initiative for operations improvement.
• Meets deadlines without causing undue disruption.
• Utilizes resources, time and supplies efficiently.

• Projects a positive attitude in professional and personal interactions.
• Uses effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Cooperates with others, respects courtesy.
• Maintains professional behavior in stressful situations.

$18–$27 per hour