Mobile Housing Team Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Mobile Housing Team Specialist works independently and collaboratively with multiple NARA teams and other agencies to provide housing placement and stabilization services to families who are homeless and whose health, behavioral health, and socioeconomic issues have prevented them from accessing housing. Services are focused around supporting the family to obtain and stabilize housing, end their experience with homelessness, and improve their health and move forward in their recovery. This position will also collaborate extensively as part of the Mobile Housing team coordinated by the lead agency, JOIN.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

• Complete outreach and engagement processes with households assigned by lead agency and develop a housing service plan with each household.
• Assist Mobile Housing Team program participants through the housing process including identifying an apartment/home, addressing possible barriers to housing approval, accessing funding for move in costs, and obtaining furnishings for their home.
• Complete program specific paperwork with client to assist with housing stability.
• Develop positive relationships with collaborative partners, external providers, and property managers.
• Be responsive to property managers as concerns arise in order to support participants in successfully stabilizing in their housing and preventing eviction. Follow up with property managers to determine outcome of any needed interventions.
• Work in close coordination with other providers/ support systems to address the needs of clients. Includes initiating clinical consults, assuring coordination of treatment planning and ongoing support services.
• Provide home and community based engagement services to clients utilizing strengths-based case management while embracing the philosophy of Motivational Interviewing and Housing First. Utilize assertive engagement techniques to meet clients where they are willing to participate and coach clients in setting goals and identifying realistic steps in order to achieve them.
• Consistently use strong professional judgment while providing services to clients; including taking appropriate safety precautions while transporting clients and providing services to clients in the community/homes.
• Demonstrate responsibility for safety of participants and property. Must be familiar with fire and building regulations and evacuation procedures.
• Provide ongoing assessment of needs and risk of harm for each individual and respond appropriately.
• Provide outreach services as needed to maintain effective engagement in services.
• Complete housing-related documentation as required.
• Meet regularly with clinical supervisor for supervision and seek supervision, as needed.
• Actively participate in multi-disciplinary team meetings and consultations.
• Collect information on client demographics and program outcome activities.
• Participate in quality assurance activities including chart reviews.
• Attend and provide relevant training as assigned.
• Participate in providing educational opportunities that promote an understanding and acceptance of culturally relevant health services for the Native American and Alaskan Native community and for service providers.

• Bachelor’s degree in social-service related field, QMHA, CADC or equivalent highly desirable.
• Professional experience working with families experiencing homelessness.
• Knowledge of housing resources and programs.
• Knowledge and understanding of recovery-based, holistic approaches to addressing behavioral health needs.
• Knowledge and skill in working in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment.
• Experience working within the Native American/Alaska Native community is considered a plus.
• Ability to engage and interact positively with individuals and families to promote strengths and improve health and well being.
• Excellent communication skills and initiative to effectively coordinate care.
• Ability to work collaboratively with clients, other NARA staff, and team members, and to treat everyone with respect and dignity at all times.
• Must have valid driver’s license and personal vehicle.
• If in recovery, must have a minimum of two years sobriety/clean time.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment or for cause drug tests.
• Ability to pass criminal background and DMV checks.
• Must be able to pass a CRIMS finger printing and background check.