Housing Specialist - Hattiesburg

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Job description

General Statement of Duties

The Housing Specialist works with the MUTEH Homeless Programs Team to get clients document ready and prepare clients to receive services that will assist the participant to gain and maintain permanent housing in an integrated community setting with supportive services.

The Housing Specialist provides a variety of office and field activities to manage and monitor the housing of individuals and performs direct client services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Report directly to Director of RAMP.
• Contribute to ongoing quality improvement of MUTEH, Inc. housing programs
• Prepare and maintain required charting and documentation in a timely and thorough manner (including weekly HMIS input).
• Adhere to client confidentiality requirements and standards.
• Assess housing barriers of individuals and families experiencing homelessness and work with special homeless populations (disabled and persons with HIV/AIDS) to determine housing and service needs.
• Conduct and complete Housing Quality inspections.
• Coordinate with Housing Assistants and Case Managers to ensure timely inspections and re-inspections.
• Coordinate with local resources to identify available and affordable units.
• Accommodate landlords working with the program to ensure stability for the clients and an ongoing partnership between the landlord and MUTEH.
• Facilitate and mediate communication with assigned clients and landlords as needed.
• Assist in developing and maintaining a list of housing providers and relationships with housing providers in counties covered by MUTEH's programs.
• Assist participants in securing and completing leasing applications.
• Facilitate Welcome Home Days.
• Ensure that participants' needs are responded to in a timely manner.
• Assist participants to coordinate their move-in, access furniture, and utilities set-up as required by their lease.
• Coordinate Quality Assurance Inspections.
• Input accurate and complete weekly case notes for each participant within MUTEH's HMIS database.
• Monitor residents' compliance with program guidelines and provide appropriate verbal and written warning to those residents who are out of compliance.
• Maintain all files to include conversations, warnings, progress towards goals and documentation of any incidents in a confidential manner and in compliance with VA, HUD and MUTEH's standards
• Works in collaboration with all other agency, VA and Property management staff to facilitate a team environment.
• Facilitate accuracy and consistency with the agency's fiscal and billing procedures.
• When needed, transport participants in a vehicle in a safe, cautious and responsible manner.
• Develop relationships with representatives in other agencies to support individuals attaining services such as utility assistance, furniture, food boxes, etc.
• Participate in daily debrief sessions, weekly supervisory and/or staff meetings, training and development opportunities as determined appropriate by the program director.
• Attend CoC events, Housing program trainings, MUTEH trainings, and any other relevant training opportunities.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND KEY COMPETENCIES

• An Associate's Degree, or a minimum of two (2) years case management experience. Experience working with homeless population(s) is helpful.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout MUTEH's coverage area to conduct intake interviews with clients, create referrals, meet with landlords, perform HQS inspections, ensure that clients are document ready, upload documentation, assist with client move in, and coordinate and/or provide case management. Licensed and insured driver willing to use own vehicle in conducting related tasks is required.
• Strong and timely documentation and assessment skills.
• Strong team/consensus building skills.
• Must be a self-starter.
• Other Core Competencies expected: time management in prioritizing tasks, attention to detail, crisis management, customer service, interpersonal skills, caring, reliability, collaboration, initiative, fostering diversity, and organizational understanding, positive attitude, able to work well with other team members and able to work independently.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Continuously exchanges information through listening and talking with clients, agency staff, employers, representatives of community organizations and other individuals in the community.
• Frequently stands, walks, sit, and climb in performing duties in the office and traveling to off-site meetings.
• Frequently reaches and grasps in using telephones, computers, copy machines, and other office equipment and supplies.
• Frequently lifts and carries up to 5lbs of paperwork, files, and training materials, occasionally up to 40lbs.
• Must have valid state driver's license by time of hire and be willing to travel significant distances throughout the week. A reliable vehicle for travel is required.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $14.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• How is your previous experience relevant to this role?

Education:

• Associate (Preferred)

Experience:

• Case Management: 2 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Preferred)

Work Location: One location