Housing Specialist - Hazel Heights - HS

Housing Specialist - Hazel Heights

River House (211 SE Caruthers Portland, OR 97214) and Hazel Heights

Salary Range $26.09 - $35.70 Hourly Position Type Full Time Job Shift Day Education Level 2 Year Degree Category UDS-Outreach Worker-26-11c

The Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Specialist works independently and collaboratively with multiple NARA Northwest teams and Central City Concern's Hazel Heights housing program in SE Portland to provide community and home-based housing support services to individuals 50 years and over with a history of homelessness and whose health, behavioral health, and socioeconomic issues have prevented them from accessing housing in the past.

Services are focused around supporting the individual and/or couple to stabilize their housing, end their experience with homelessness, and improve their health and move forward in their recovery.

What you will do:

• Provide home and community based support services to program participants utilizing strengths-based case management while embracing the philosophy of Motivational Interviewing and Housing First. Utilize assertive engagement techniques to meet participants where they are willing to participate and coach participants in setting goals and identifying realistic steps to achieve them.
• Complete housing-related service plans, progress notes, discharge summaries and other documentation as required.
• Complete program specific initial and annual paperwork with participants, including verification of homelessness, verification of disability, and income verification.
• Develop positive relationships with collaborative partners, external providers, and Hazel Heights property managers.
• Be responsive to property managers as concerns arise in order to support participants in successfully maintaining their housing and preventing eviction. Follow up with property managers to determine outcome of any needed interventions.
• Work in close coordination with other providers/ support systems to address the needs of clients. Includes initiating clinical consults, assuring coordination of treatment planning and ongoing support services. This may also include facilitating referrals and engagement in behavioral health, medical and dental services, vocational resources, and income acquisition.
• Assist new referrals through the housing process including gathering necessary documentation, addressing possible barriers to housing approval, accessing funding for move-in costs, and obtaining furnishings for their home.
• Consistently use strong clinical and professional judgment while providing services to clients; including taking appropriate safety precautions while transporting clients and providing services to clients in the community/homes.
• Demonstrate responsibility for safety of participants and property. Must be familiar with fire and building regulations and evacuation procedures.
• Provide ongoing assessment of needs and risk of harm for each individual and respond appropriately.

Qualifications

• QMHA credential required. If not currently credentialed, must be able to obtain QMHA credential within 6 months of hire.
• Requires a high school diploma, GED or equivalent.
• Professional experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness or experiencing severe and persistent mental illness.
• Experience creating service plans, progress notes, and other documentation.
• Knowledge of housing resources and programs.
• Knowledge and understanding of recovery-based, holistic approaches to addressing behavioral health needs.
• Ability to engage and interact positively with individuals and families to promote strengths and improve health and well-being.
• Excellent communication skills and initiative to effectively coordinate care.
• Ability to work collaboratively with clients, other NARA NW staff, and team members, and to treat everyone with respect and dignity at all times.
• Access to reliable transportation, current driver's license with a clean driving record, and proof of auto insurance.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment or for cause drug tests.
• Ability to pass criminal background and DMV checks.

What's in it for you?

15 Paid Holidays:
New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Battle of Little Big Horn, Independence Day, Labor Day, Native American Day, Indigenous Peoples' Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, day after Thanksgiving, December 25th and your Birthday!

Benefits:
Employees working 20 hours, or more are eligible for benefits. Benefits are effective from the 1st of…