Housing Specialist

The position of Housing Specialist I assesses, refers and links individuals with mental illness to services including but not limited to housing, treatment, and community services. With a working knowledge of the resources in the community to meet the consumer's needs, the Housing Specialist I assists in providing housing support services to persons receiving government rental stipends in all Recovery Options programs.

This may include but is not limited to assisting in finding and securing housing in the consumer's community of choice and assisting the consumer in maintaining the housing.

• Carries a caseload and meets with recipients as required by program contract.
• Completes and processes intakes in a timely manner.
• Provides advocacy services according to recipients expressed need and Recovery Options Made Easy policies and procedures.
• Assists with referrals and linkages to community support services and programs.
• Provides transportation as appropriate to recipient's needs, while teaching and showing them alternative options.
• Assists consumers with budgeting and shopping skills.
• Charts and files all documentation in a timely manner.
• Works in conjunction with other service provider, attends and participates in weekly staff meetings and monthly agency staff meetings.
• Participates in the County annual point-in-time count for HUD.
• Attends and participates in County or State planning sessions as assigned.
• Assists consumers with accessing benefits and entitlements such as public assistance and SSI/SSD.
• Assists consumers in becoming empowered and reducing their need for service.
• Work with individuals on our waiting list in preparation for housing placement
• Follow‑up with individuals who have exited our program and check present welfare
• Work with individuals seeking peer services only, integrating them into community and referring them to the Recovery Center and/or other community resources.
• Work with anyone in the community seeking peer services to assist in their recovery efforts.
• Complete and submit to administration a monthly stat form
• Answers office phone and/or performs routine filing.
• Keeps desk and work area clean and tidy; assist with office upkeep as needed.
• Serves as a back‑up to others on vacation, or as assigned.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Work in accordance with policies and regulations which may require judgment, initiative, creativity and the ability to deal with complex factors and make decisions based on conclusions for which there may be little precedent.

Works from general objectives (such as governmental and agency compliance standards) and broad and varying policies, procedures, rules or precedents with significant functional guidance. Refers specific cases to supervisor for clarification or interpretation. Review by supervisor focuses on achievement of the objective and not necessarily on the means, except when required to ensure compliance with regulations.

Microsoft Office skills including Excel, Word and Outlook. Evidence of skills demonstrated by the ability to perform all the basic functions within each program; including but not limited to maintaining a calendar, sending e‑mail, creating letters as well as the ability to create and edit workbooks.

General office equipment is used including fax machine, computer and phone system.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work follows established practices and operating procedures with some latitude for independent judgment. Maintains strict visual contact with work. May occasionally lift to (35) thirty‑five…