Stabilization Specialist

Job Type: Full-time

Recognized nationally as an innovator and leader in developing solutions to homelessness, DESC is a social services organization, supportive housing operator, and licensed behavioral health treatment provider focused on meeting the needs of people experiencing long‑term homelessness and living with complex behavioral health and other medical conditions. Approximately 3,000 people are actively receiving services from DESC at any given point in time.

Our vision is a community where all people are shown compassion, treated with dignity, and everyone has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home.

DESC operates five shelter/emergency housing programs, 19 permanent supportive housing facilities with over 1,750 units, several hundred additional scattered‑site apartments, and a range of behavioral health services including outpatient mental health and substance use disorder treatment, residential crisis stabilization, street outreach, mobile crisis response, and treatment for opioid use disorder.

The Housing Stabilization Specialists (HSS's) are part of a multidisciplinary team that works to support tenants with chronic issues maintaining apartment conditions. The Unit Condition Response Team works with tenants in three Permanent Supportive Housing projects to address acute concerns, as well as strategize and implement preventative solutions to avoid future unit condition issues.

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 more intensive hands‑on work in the initial intervention phase to less frequent home visits to support ongoing maintenance.

This role seeks to heighten positive engagement with individuals with high medical needs, persistent mental illness and substance use disorders, frequent institutional contacts and treatment stays, or simply more intensive support needs. It’s the perfect position for someone who wants high client engagement; likes creativity, independence, and teamwork; and wants to see long‑term, tangible results!

• Participate as a member of a multi‑disciplinary team providing on‑going 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.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license and insurable driving record (preferred).

• 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…