SOAR Specialist

bode Services values safety, wellness, and respect for each other and for those who we serve. Because of this commitment Abode Services is mandating that all employees be vaccinated effective September 30, 2021.Everyone deserves a home.

Abode Services’ mission is to end homelessness – doing whatever it takes to help those who need it most.

Abode Services, one of the largest and effective nonprofits working to end homelessness in the Bay Area, has an opening for a SOAR Specialist at our San Mateo County site.

POSITION SUMMARY: SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) is a model that helps individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness who have a serious mental illness, medical impairment, and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder apply for Social Security disability benefits. This position is responsible for assessing clients' eligibility for SOAR services, collecting, and summarizing disability documentation, and submitting final applications on behalf of clients.  

Benefits & Perks: 

• $28.85- $31.00/HR
• 100% paid health, vision, and dental options
• 19 PTO days & 12 Holidays per year
• Voluntary benefits: FSA, EAP, Commuter Checks, Life Insurance, Legal, and more
• 3% retirement match/contribution 
• Professional Development Trainings and Opportunities, Leadership Academy Programs, and All Staff Events
• Dynamic, mission-driven culture and supportive leadership. We support you in supporting others

The Diverse Culture: We believe that we make better decisions and provide quality services when our workforce reflects the diversity of the communities in which we operate. People of color make up nearly 70% of our workforce and we strive to recruit and retain employees from all backgrounds.

RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES: 

• Work with referral sources and community partners to identify applicants through team meetings, outreach, and referrals. 
• Complete interviews with individuals to gather information to complete SSI/SSDI applications. 
• Gather medical records and other information to complete SSI/SSDI applications. 
• Write SOAR Medical Summary Reports for individual applications. 
• Coordinate case management services with partners and help with providing case management services to individuals when needed. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

• management services to individuals when needed. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, Human Services, Social Work, Sociology or related field required.  
• Minimum of 2 years of field experience working with people with co-occurring disorders and who have a history of homelessness. 
• Experience with providing outreach and successful engagement to a diverse population, including working with clients, developing trust, and conducting interviews in non-traditional settings and unstructured environments. 
• Understanding and practice of culturally sensitive components of direct service delivery through open dialogs and self-exploration with diverse groups. 
• Reliable transportation and proof of a valid and current California Driver’s License and current insurance along with a clean DMV record required. 

COMPETENCIES: 

• Excellent verbal & written communication, organizational, and time management skills. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with meticulous attention to detail. 
• Ability to work well independently and collaboratively with teams. 
• Ability to work in non-traditional settings and unstructured environments.  
• Ability to build supportive and respectful working relationships with participants, sensitivity to, and understanding of the special needs of the homeless.  
• Understanding and practice of culturally sensitive components of direct service delivery through open dialogs and self-exploration with diverse groups. 
• Experience in building strong collaborative relationships with other non-profit, city, and county partners. 
• Knowledge and ability of the following evidence-based models: Harm Reduction, Housing First, and Motivational Interviewing. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, systems, and platforms. 
• Ability to learn and use required mobile devices and business-related applications. 
• Outstanding communication skills and high degree of emotional intelligence, cultural humility, with a proven track record to build and maintain effective relationships with a wide variety of internal and external contacts. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Communicating with others to exchange information; seeing to read a variety of materials.  
• Manual dexterity for use of keyboard, tools, controls; repetitive motion that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. 
• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing, or sitting for prolonged periods, while at a desk or working on a computer.  
• Ability to drive and sit in a car for prolonged periods of time. 
• Ability to move between floors, ascending and descending stairs.  
• Ability to travel by foot to provide outreach to encampments, parks, and other remote areas. 
• Light work that may include moving or lifting objects up to 25 pounds.   
• Ability to squat, bend at the waist, crouch, reach overhead and horizontally, and kneel.   

WORK CONDITIONS / ENVIRONMENT: 

• Must be able to adjust to the environment of the target population including making visits to encampments, shelters, and personal living environments when needed. 
• Must be able to work in a shared office environment with moderate to high noise level with frequent contact and interruption.  
• Multi-level buildings with stairs and/or ramps.  
• Frequent travel by car throughout the county region and surrounding areas.   
• Work in program service environments, which may include entering program offices, non-agency offices and meeting areas.  

Notice: This description is to be used as a guide only. It does not constitute a contract, commitment or promise of any kind. Abode Services reserves the right to change, add, delete, upgrade, or downgrade the position as dictated by business necessity at any time with or without notice. 

Abode Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Drug Free Workplace