Resident specialist

ROCKFORD HOUSING AUTHORITY

Job Description

RESIDENT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

SALARY LEVEL : AFSCME SCHEDULE A LEVEL 8

DEPARTMENT : RESIDENT PROGRAMMING UNION : AFSCME

SUPERVISOR : Director of Resident Services or Designee

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES : Incumbent will provide guidance and assistance to residents of public housings by working with and aiding individuals and families requiring assistance of social service agencies.

The incumbent shall maintain a close working relationship with the residents and the Site Manager.

The resident support specialist (RSS) is a service coordinator / case manager to residents. They may provide informal / non-clinical counseling, information, and referral, plan educational programs, coordinate volunteer opportunities, link with outside service agencies, and negotiate affordable services as needed.

The RSS also educates residents on available services, develops contacts with service providers and agencies for resident referrals, and monitors the provision of services.

The RSS works in conjunction with the Property Manager(s) and other facility management staff to empower residents to age in place and remain as independent and self-reliant as possible.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Assesses referred or identified residents with problems such as personal and family adjustments, finances, employment, food, clothing, housing, and physical and mental impairments to make appropriate referrals.
• Secures information such as medical, psychological, and social factors contributing to resident's situation and evaluates these and resident's capabilities.
• Develops a tracking system for individuals and makes referrals to community services where appropriate, and performs follow up with resident.
• Identify any agencies currently providing services to the resident and obtain signed release of information from resident.
• Work with residents individually, in family, or in other small groups regarding plans for meeting needs, and aids resident to mobilize inner capacities and environmental resources to improve social functioning.
• Help residents to modify attitudes and patterns of behavior by increasing understanding of self, personal problems, and resident's part in creating them.
• Accesses and records resident and community resource information, such as but not limited to supplementary information such as employment, medical records, or school reports.

as provided by resident)

• Provide timely written and oral reports to the Director Resident Services and maintain a system for all required records and data.
• Work with the Resident Services department, other RHA staff, residents, and community agencies to assist in the planning, organization and carrying out of special programs and projects such as, but not limited to : Mini health fairs, inter-cultural events, workshops, resident trips and programs on special topics.
• Participate in and attend staff meetings, site meetings, resident meetings etc. for review of referrals made as well as periodic consultations with other prevention and support personnel regarding resident's status.
• Comply with established performance standards as outlined in any required grant proposal.
• May assist residents or coordinate training for residents in understanding lease and tenancy obligations but do not perform any duties or functions duly assigned to management or are associated with management responsibilities.
• Acts as a liaison between community agencies, service providers and educates residents on service availability, application procedures, residents rights, etc.

both individually and as a group.

Promotes wellness activities for all residents

Specific Assignments

• Monitors the delivery of services to residents to ensure they are appropriate, timely, and satisfactory
• Performs service management function for all residents needing assistance
• Provides case management / needs assessments
• Educates residents on service availability, application procedures, residents rights, etc. both individually and as a group
• Reports all suspected abuse situations to the appropriate agency
• Sets up volunteer support programs with service organizations in the community;

Administrative

• Documents contact with residents, providers, and families
• Maintains individual files on residents which will contain at least the following : intake information, service termination information, quarterly review and follow-up, human or civil rights abuse, resident / family meeting notes
• Resident files to be kept in a secure area to ensure confidentiality
• Completes reports with copies given to the site manager, Quality Assurance Administrator, Manager, and government agency (where applicable) in an accurate and timely manner or according to governing regulations;
• Pursues avenues for additional services through private local, state, and federal sources; and
• Creates a service management plan as appropriate.
• Advocates and may negotiate on behalf of residents for adequate, timely, and cost-effective provision of services.
• Meets with services providers quarterly or as needed and appropriate.
• Secure or assemble a directory of community services and make it available to residents, families, and management.
• Assist site management in identifying residents who need assistance through meetings and referrals.

Resident Support Specialist

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS : To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability and willingness to work effectively with a diverse group of residents with a variety of ethnic cultures.
• Ability to recognize possible disability-related characteristics.
• Ability to work effectively in situations requiring independent judgment and performance.
• Must possess a valid driver's license at all times and able to provide personal transportation.
• Must be willing to occasionally transport residents by personal vehicle or RHA vehicle (with mileage reimbursement per RHA Policy).
• Knowledgeable of Word Processing and Spreadsheet software.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of community services in the region with particular knowledge of services that are provided for the population living within the facility;
• Proven experience in service management, including organizing, problem-solving, and advocating;
• Trained in the aging process, elder services, disability services, drug and alcohol abuse, and mental health issues;
• Aware of eligibility for and procedures of Federal and state entitlement programs;
• Alert to legal liability issues relating to providing service coordination;
• Good communication, writing, problem-solving and organizational skills, in addition to strong advocacy capabilities

EDUCATION and / or EXPERIENCE : Bachelor's Degree in social work, psychology, community mental

health or related area with three years experience or minimum of 60 credit hours in related field of study plus five years experience.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS : The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms.

The employee must frequently lift and / or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and / or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT : The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Original 11 / 28 / 05

Revised 9 / 27 / 07

Last updated : 2024-03-10