Job Information
Pine Street Inn Housing Coordinator in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts
Housing Coordinator
Department: Behavioral Health
Office: Morton Street
Location: Jamaica Plain, MA
Position Type: Administrative
Hours/Shift: Morning - First Shift
Employee Type:: Regular Full-time
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SCHEDULE: 40 hours, Monday - Friday, 9:00am-5:30pm, with flexibility
Pays $52,250K per year DOE
LOCATION: 170 Morton Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130
JOB DESCRIPTION:
SUMMARY OF POSITION:
The Housing Coordinator is part of the Behavioral Health team placed in the Shattuck Low Barrier Shelter, and will provide case management and housing services to 33 participants, helping them to make the successful transition into permanent housing. Working directly with guests, the Housing Coordinator is responsible for helping homeless men obtain vital documents, complete housing applications, complete housing pathway assessments, and work towards the overall goal of permanent housing. Other primary duties include, but are not limited to, engaging shelter guests upon intake, assisting shelter guests in accessing basic emergency services, and collaborating with outside resources for effective discharge planning. The Housing Coordinator is expected to accurately complete all required documentation within Clarity, as well as other required tracking documents that are asked of us by the mayor-s office, in a timely manner and to keep case management notes up-to-date at all times. This position will participate in internal PSI staff meetings, as well as weekly meetings with city partners, and also assist team members in crisis prevention/intervention and milieu management. This role will be representing the Shattuck Low Barrier Shelter in case conferencing meetings with the city and other Low Barrier sites
REQUIREMENTS:
EDUCATION/TRAINING:
REQUIRED:
Bachelor-s Degree
Experience with Clarity, or a Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
PREFERRED:
Bilingual English/Spanish speaking skills
Experience with Housing Authorities, and other Housing entities
KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE:
REQUIRED:
Minimum of one (1) year of experience in human service field work
Strong written communication skills
Previous experience working with the homeless population
Understanding and previous application of Motivational Interviewing
Understanding with Harm Reduction model
Experience working with individuals experiencing substance abuse, mental illness, trauma, homelessness and/or other complex disorders
Knowledge of effective crisis intervention techniques and ability to respond appropriately in crisis situations
Excellent customer service skills; highly developed and effective interpersonal skills
Strong writing and computer skills
Experience maintaining accurate and up-to-date records in both written files and computer database
PREFERRED:
Knowledge of housing resources and systems in Boston area
Experience working with people diagnosed with mental illness, substance abuse issues and/or trauma histories
Experience working with chronically homeless individuals in Housing First programs
Knowledge of local care-giving and advocacy resources for people experiencing: substance abuse and dependence, mental illness, trauma histories, head injury, medical illness, physical disabilities, relationship violence, criminal and civil justice system involvement
Knowledge of government benefits systems, and Boston area service providers
Experience with HMIS
PHYSICAL ABILITIES/SKILLS:
REQUIRED:
Ability to work/sit at a computer for extended periods of time while interacting with clients and/or managing documentation
Ability to respond safely and quickly in case of emergency situations
Ability to frequently bend, lift, stretch and stoop
Ability to climb stairs
Ability to accompany guests to appointments via public transportation
Ability to use computer, calculator, fax, copier and other office equipment
MENTAL ABILITIES/SKILLS:
REQUIRED:
High degree of cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively with diverse people and situations
High standards of accuracy and attention to detail
Strong commitment to learning and using Harm Reduction and Motivational Interviewing skills in order to promote improved behavioral health among guests
Ability to set limits fairly and consistently while maintaining appropriate boundaries
Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills; the ability to balance many competing demands and to prioritize work efficiently and effectively
Ability to manage time well, performing an array of difficult tasks at the same time
The temperament to work with residents with untreated mental health issues. addiction disorders, and poor hygiene
Ability to work effectively on an integrated inter-disciplinary team
Ability to work in intense emotionally-charged situations
Must have highly developed professional ethics to maintain appropriate boundaries with program participants, third party providers, management, and staff
Ability to communicate professionally both verbally and in writing, including the ability to successfully represent organization in various forums
Ability to take initiative, plan and work independently
Interpersonal skills, patience, persistence, tolerance, ability to engage and develop rapport with a wide range of personalities
Contributes to the overall integration and success of the department by being a team player, accepting and offering guidance as appropriate, participating in PSI activities and trainings as requested and promoting organizational integration based on the mission, vision and values
Demonstrates punctuality and good attendance
Demonstrated cultural competence of diverse and vulnerable populations
Ability to work as member of a team
Good listening skills
Ability to empower other and promote self-determination
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
CASE MANAGEMENT/HOUSING SERVICES:
Actively manages an assigned case load of homeless men with the goal of securing housing, and related benefits and services needed to retain housing and empower clients towards greater self-sufficiency.
Provides high quality, culturally sensitive, client-centered, intensive housing-and life-safety-focused case management utilizing evidence-based practices of Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Informed Care and Harm Reduction.
Assess clients' on their vulnerability, chronicity, substance abuse issues, mental health symptoms, legal issues, health care, employment and income, independent living skills, and community engagement using to guide frequency and type of case management intervention.
Work with clients to create and implement client-centered, strength- based individual service plans (ISP), to be periodically evaluated and updated as necessary/appropriate but at least once every 90 days.
Maintain accurate written records and documentation in accordance with program standards including, but not limited to ISPs, guest charts, incident reports, detailed case notes and referrals and third party billing, when applicable. Maintain HMIS records in a timely and accurate fashion and contribute to reporting when needed.
Participate in Shattuck Shelter team events and activities, contributing positively to daily huddles, case conferences and collaborations with third parties when appropriate.
Provide advocacy services with community agencies and other available and appropriate resources, with the goal of supporting each client's personal growth, enhanced independence and access to housing and external services. Demonstrate initiative in exploring existing and potential resources through the development of positive working relationships with service providers in the Greater Boston community
Actively participate in referrals and aftercare/discharge planning to and from treatment programs.
Perform assessments of participants, helping them to identify individual needs and attainable goals and objectives.
Provide on-going case management to shelter guests to support their moving toward their goals, meeting at least weekly with each participant.
Monitor all participants to ensure that shelter rules and regulations, as well as individual contract obligations, are being met.
Maximize participant socialization and peer bonding through informal activities and structured recreational activities.
Accompany guests to appointments as needed to meet housing and ISP goals.
Ensure that all participants assigned to you are reviewed at least once every three (3) months.
Perform other additional assignments or projects as requested/directed by supervisor.
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Accept responsibility as a team player by being sensitive to the effects of job performance, office behavior, and participation in staff meetings and its effects on the ability of the team to meet its goals.
Accept supervision and guidance and actively participates in efforts to improve quality of performance.
Adhere to agency policies and procedures for maintaining organizational culture and transparency, including use of regularly scheduled progress meetings with Manager, team meetings, scheduling, e-mail and other communication platforms.
Positively represent PSI in all internal and external interactions.
Support PSI program visibility and efforts through participation in agency events.
Perform other duties as assigned by the clinical supervisor, or Senior Director of Behavioral Health Services, Chief Program Officer, President/Executive Director or their assignees.
INTERNAL CANDIDATES APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION PLEASE SUBMIT A PROMOTION/TRANSFER APPLICATION TO THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT WITHIN 10 DAYS OF POSTED DATE.
Pine Street Inn is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
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