SSVF Rapid Resolution Outreach Specialist – Jacksonville- Changing Homelessness

Posted Sep 11, 2024 Jacksonville, Florida

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Expires Oct 31, 2024

Description

Changing Homelessness, Inc. is at the forefront of the battle against homelessness. Our mission is to lead the community in efforts to prevent and ultimately end homelessness. We are committed to ensuring that individuals and families are housed permanently and successfully, building strong partnerships, and being good stewards of funding that is leveraged with integrity. Our core values of Respect, Quality, Trust, Partnering, and Transparency guide everything we do.

Changing Homelessness, Inc. is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. Furthermore, we actively seek representation and authentic inclusion of applicants and employees who bring firsthand experience with poverty, homelessness, and their underlying causes, including marginalization, discrimination, and inequity.

Join us in our mission to create a community where everyone has a place to call home. Together, we can make a difference.

The SSVF Rapid Resolution Outreach Specialist provides housing stabilization services to Veteran households experiencing homelessness, or those at risk of homelessness. The Outreach Specialist will work to divert households from entering the homelessness system through problem-solving conversations and mediation efforts with family members, friends, and other potential vendors. A background in mediation, active listening, and creating problem-solving is essential to success in this role. Furthermore, an awareness of the homelessness system and issues facing Veterans experiencing homelessness is essential.
Changing Homelessness, Inc. is an E-Verify participating and Equal Opportunity Employer.

Essential duties and responsibilities

• Conducts outreach efforts throughout the Continuum of Care entry points to identify prospective clients • Receives walk-in clients to screen for Rapid Resolution or referral to SSVF or other VA programs • Receives referrals from Continuum of Care entry points for clients deemed appropriate for Rapid Resolution • Engages in conflict resolution and problem-solving conversations to divert households from the homelessness system • Secures a minimum of 90-day commitment from the family, friends, and other vendors to maintain or obtain stable housing for veteran households • Generates appropriate referrals to the SSVF program and other community resources • Coordinates emergency services for homeless clients • Maintains outreach and engagement records on all individuals engaged, referred, and screened • Engages with the VA and community partners for effective coordination of services for Veteran households • Interact with clients, colleagues, and community partners in a professional, respectful manner • Assess program qualification criteria of client and aid in referral to outside resources • Assist veterans in the planning of housing attainment and sustainability including housing search, job training, education, budgeting, and money management, increase in household income, and connection to VA and Non-VA benefits • Conduct housing habitability inspections in accordance with SSVF program guidelines and standards • Ensure Rent Reasonableness of housing units located and/or paid for by the SSVF program in accordance with the program guidelines and standards • Complete client household recertification for program eligibility every 90 days • Provide ongoing support, crisis intervention, and follow-up with cases successfully mediated at regular intervals (45 days – 90 days) • Coordinate housing, benefits, medical, legal, substance use, and/or mental health services, as needed • Collaborate consultatively with other staff to ensure appropriate levels of case management/support • Keep client files current in the case file and database, with all documentation and case notes uploaded to HMIS within 24 hours of interaction • Participate in conferences, workshops, special projects, staff meetings, and other duties as assigned • Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills • Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities • Working knowledge of community resources • Skilled at building trust and rapport with people from diverse backgrounds • Ability to work alone on own initiative, often with minimum supervision, as well as part of a small team • Knowledge of federal, state, and/or community funding sources and mechanisms • Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing • A strong public service orientation to work well with faculty, staff, and other stakeholders • Ability to foster a cooperative work environment • Skilled in the use of personal computers, including knowledge of Microsoft Office, and the ability to learn and correctly enter data into the Homeless Management Information System • Ability to collaborate with a diverse team in a fast-paced environment • Enthusiasm and the ability to thrive in an atmosphere of constant change • Ability to maintain the confidentiality of identifying client information • Must be able to comply with complex governmental regulations, policies, and procedures and demonstrate thorough document compliance efforts and activities • Periods of walking, standing, or sitting in an office or field environment for service provision • Limited physical effort required; however, the employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds • Ability to operate a motor vehicle

Education and Experience

• Veterans preferred • 3+ years of relevant work experience is preferred • Educational background can be diverse; however, a bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred • Knowledgeable of substance use/mental health issues, interventions, and treatment planning • Some knowledge of affordable housing programs such as Section 8 housing, VASH voucher, and Shelter Plus Care programs • Working knowledge of community resources as they relate to homelessness and veterans • Word processing skills required • Commitment to, and demonstrated ability to data input required for recording client interaction – must be tech-savvy • Must be sensitive to and respect cultural diversity amongst clients, staff, and volunteers and able to work with diverse racial, ethnic, and economic groups • Flexible work schedule including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays • Ability to set appropriate limits, work under deadlines and multi-task • Ability to organize, prioritize, self-motivate, and deliver results • Must pass a Level II background check • Must pass a federal-level drug screen; possession of a medical marijuana card is currently not acceptable under federal law • Must have a clean 3-year driving history • Must have a valid driver’s license, a registered vehicle without known issues or faults to complete essential job functions, and the required vehicle insurance within 90 days of onboarding • Must be eligible to work within the U.S. and provide supporting documentation

Salary/Salary Range

$35,000 - $40,000

How to Apply

Send your cover letter and resume to jobs@changinghomelessness.org. Please include the job title in the subject line.

Company/Organization

Changing Homelessness

http://www.changinghomelessness.org

Contact

Ashley Rosario | Email