Job Information
South Middlesex Opportunity Council HCEC Housing Counselor in Framingham, Massachusetts
SUMMARY: The primary function of this position is to provide short term case management services to clients who are engaged in the new Eviction Prevention Initiative. These households require a higher level of service than intake and referral and will be referred through the Intake Coordinators. This is a grant funded position.
Why Work for SMOC?
Flexible schedule, work/life balance and a 35-hour work week.
Paid Time Off: All full-time employees can accrue up to 3 weeks of vacation, 2 weeks of sick time and are eligible for 12 paid holidays during their first year of employment.
Employer Paid Life Insurance & AD&D and Long-Term Disability after 6 months of employment.
Two Comprehensive Medical Plans with HRA Employer cost-sharing and 79% of premiums covered by the Employer.
Dental w/ Orthodontic Coverage with 75% of premiums covered by the Employer
EyeMed Vision Insurance
403(B) Retirement Plan with a company match on day one.
Additional voluntary benefits including – additional Term and Whole Life Insurance policies, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, and Short-Term Disability.
Flexible Spending Accounts, Dependent Care Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement and more.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Respond to all consumer housing-related inquiries and/or requests for assistance within three (3) business days.
Assess each family’s housing situation and supportive service needs and determine most viable resources and if financial assistance can be accessed to rapidly re-house the family or prevent the family from becoming homeless.
Provide enhanced services for clients who are identified by the HCEC as needing higher level of assistance than the traditional HCEC housing stability services would provide.
Connect client's with internal and external financial assistance programs, such as RAFT and all RAFT extensions, and all other financial assistance program administered by SMOC HCEC, in accordance with program's guidance.
Proactively build relationships and formal referral and coordination processes with community partners such as mediation centers, legal counseling centers, nonprofit and municipal agencies that provide housing-related and associated assistance, and the local housing court system
Maintain accurate client records, collect and enter all required data into CMS regularly; responsible for generating data reports in CMS, as needed.
Provide light case management to identified clients as needed, working more closely on an individual level with clients than traditional HCEC information and referral and counseling work. Light case management will vary depending on the needs of the client but generally
Track and report on housing retention and stability outcomes by using monthly touchpoints in CMS. Monthly touchpoints are required for each month the household receives SSC services.
Serve as main point of contact for direct court referrals, judges, clerks and mediators, for cases that are within our region.
Participate in ongoing trainings and meetings offered by DHCD on E2E updates and understand thoroughly all homelessness prevention programs rules and guidance Understand thoroughly all homelessness prevention programs rules and guidance.
Participate and collaborate with other SMOC departments and staff to ensure appropriate case coordination between all SMOC programs to ensure maximization of services and to avoid duplication of efforts.
Engage all clients by understanding and addressing their needs whether within or outside the scope of work.
Maintain confidentiality of client, employee and agency information in accordance with federal and state laws and funder requirements.
Ensure compliance with program/department, agency and/or funder requirements, as well as, SMOC policies & procedures.
Other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS
BA in human services, sociology, or related field OR 2 years working in field with individuals/families with housing instability providing information and referral.
Strong oral and written communication skills in English; bilingual in either Spanish or Portuguese strongly We are an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace. preferred
Experience in customer service, and working in fast paced environment a plus
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, Internet search, and Outlook email
Ability to work independently and carry ongoing caseload
Ability to work under pressure and handle time sensitive tasks.
Assessment, advocacy and case management skills a plus.
ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP
Directly reports to HCEC Director.
Indirectly reports to HCEC Intake Supervisor and RAFT Manager
Direct reports of this position are None.
Indirect reports of this position are none.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Must be able to sit or stand for a prolonged period
Must be able to operate a computer and complete extensive paperwork
Must be able to lift 25 lbs.
WORKING CONDITIONS As part of the responsibilities of this position, the HCEC Housing Counselor will have direct or incidental contact with clients served by SMOC in various programs funded or administered through the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. A successful background check is required.
We are an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace.
Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm
35 hours per week