Stabilization Specialist

Job Type

Full-time

Day (7:30 am – 4:00 pm)

Sunday, Monday

• Dental, Life, Long‑term Disability, Medical (no premiums/payroll deductions for employee coverage)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), ORCA card subsidy, Paid Time Off (34 days per year), Retirement Plan

DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center) is a nonprofit organization working to help people with the complex needs of homelessness, substance use disorders, and serious mental illness achieve their highest potential for health and well‑being through comprehensive services, treatment, and housing. Our vision is a community where no person is abandoned, ignored, or experiencing homelessness. As the region’s leading provider of services to multiply disabled adults who have experienced chronic homelessness, DESC serves almost 3,000 people each day.

Our integrated service model is designed to help people secure and maintain appropriate, safe and affordable housing. DESC is recognized nationally and regionally as an innovator in developing solutions to homelessness.

This innovative position, in partnership with the existing care team, will create and implement client‑centered housing stability plans and assist residents with achieving goals that align with their stability plan. Support will range from managing challenging unit conditions, mitigating lease violations, to supporting community building events and activities. This position will be part of the CSS team at the location, although will not have a defined caseload, but instead work directly with tenants who have extra support needs in doing “whatever it takes” to promote housing retention.

• Participate as a member of a multi‑disciplinary team providing ongoing services to adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses.
• Advocate for consumers’ access to community resources and services, ensuring that consumers’ needs are met and rights maintained; consult and collaborate with community providers to ensure continuity of care.
• In collaboration with residents and their treatment team, complete the Housing Stability Plan and help clients achieve their short and long‑term goals.
• Assist with unit inspection preparation in collaboration with the treatment team.
• Regularly review and modify each client’s Housing Stability Plan to address housing retention barriers.
• Provide transitional care when residents are discharged from an inpatient setting.
• Assist with accessing supports to preserve independent living.
• Assist residents with communicating with landlords and other housing staff.
• In partnership with other staff members, help facilitate or lead activities that contribute to long‑term housing success and improve independent living skills.
• Complete documentation on all client interactions according to agency standards and prepare and submit documentation of services.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Ability to obtain an Agency Affiliated Counselor (AAC) license in WA soon after hire.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to work effectively with clients displaying a wide range of behavior.

• Relevant Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or related behavioral science, OR
• A combination of 1 year of relevant paid work experience and demonstration of the ability to perform required job duties.
• Internal applicants in direct, client‑facing positions can substitute 6 months of experience in lieu of 1 year.

• Valid Washington State driver’s license and insurable driving record.

Employee will be required to stand for long periods, climb stairs, sit, communicate with other employees, lift and carry items weighing up to 40 pounds, and operate computer hardware systems. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

DESC is committed to diversity in the workplace and promotes equal employment opportunities for all staff members and applicants. The Agency will not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, caste, marital status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification. Minorities and veterans are encouraged to apply.

$37.78 – $41.72 per hour