Coordinator - Problem Solving SPA

Background

Since 1976, St. Joseph Center has been meeting the needs of low-income and homeless individuals and families in Venice, Santa Monica, Mar Vista, and surrounding communities. The Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization that assists people without regard for religious affiliation or lack thereof through comprehensive case management and integrated social service programs. The Center enjoys broad-based community support as well as a sponsored relationship with its founders, the Sisters of St.

Joseph of Carondelet. St. Joseph Center serves approximately 6,000 individuals annually.

Job Summary

The Problem Solving Coordinator for the Family Solution Center works with team members to provide services to homeless families on the Westside of Los Angeles. Problem solving is a short-term housing intervention that seeks to assist participants to maintain their current housing or identify an immediate and safe housing alternative within their own network of family, friends, and social support.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Engage in deliberate (or multiple) thoughtful and individualized conversation(s) that seeks to solve the immediate or near-term housing crisis of families seeking services.
• Socialize the Problem Solving Intervention across the continuum of care for family homeless services and with community partners.
• Support the team with case consultations and skill-building to support Problem Solving outcomes.
• Negotiate when needed with family, friends, and landlords to keep families out of the homeless system.
• Utilize active listening, coaching, motivational interviewing, mediation, and conflict resolution with families, friends and/or landlords, connection to mainstream resources, housing search assistance, housing stabilization planning, and family reunification.
• Connect families to supportive services as needed including health, mental health, public entitlements, education and vocational training.
• Serve as an advocate or liaison for family with community organizations.
• Ensure that those households who do not have alternative housing options are quickly connected to existing emergency or crisis housing services to ensure immediate health and safety needs are met.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Must be highly motivated and a self-starter. The ability to communicate with and relate to a diverse group of people including clients, community, and other staff. Must have excellent administrative and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of case management principles and intervention techniques specific to homeless populations or other under-served groups.
• Ability to think critically and maintain a solutions-oriented mindset.
• Skills and experience with conflict resolution, mediation, and Motivational Interviewing.
• Knowledge of community resources and experience with resource linkage.
• Knowledge of housing market/housing programs is desirable.
• Familiarity with issues surrounding mental illness and substance abuse strongly preferred.
• The position requires an ability to work flexible hours including some early mornings and evenings.
• Bi-lingual Spanish/English is highly desirable.

Experience:

• Two years of experience providing homeless services or case management services with homeless and low-income families.

Education:

• Bachelor degree from an accredited college or university in social work, human services, psychology, or a related field.

Direct Reports:

• This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Computer Skills:

• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and widely supported internet browsers.

Certificates, Licenses and Registrations:

• Valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
• Valid automobile liability insurance.

Travel Requirements:

• 50% Field-based

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands: 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, stoop, talk, hear, reach above and below shoulders;

use hand and finger dexterity, keyboarding and making and receiving telephone calls. The employee may be required on occasion to lift and or carry up to 20 lbs.

Additional Information

Benefits: Excellent Benefits package available.

Status: Full time/Non-Exempt

Compensation: $25/h

Employment with St. Joseph Center is contingent on completion of…