ACCS Housing Specialist

The Brockton Multi Service Center Adult Community Clinical Services (ACCS) program operated by the Department of Mental Health (DMH) is seeking a dynamic candidate who will serve as a Housing Specialist within one of our Adult Community Clinical Services (ACCS) teams. The Housing Specialist will provide trauma-informed, person-centered community-based interventions that target skill development to assigned caseload of community clients with a focus on supporting housing-related needs. Will serve as the direct care liaison to assigned caseload and will provide services to assigned clients on an ongoing and as needed basis.  Participates in the development of Community Service Plan (CSP) with assigned caseload.   Completes required documentation and communicates critical & pertinent information to team. 

Please Note: This position is 40 hours per week. The selected candidate will work Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The days off are Saturday and Sunday.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Function as the Housing Specialist to identify housing needs and preferences of persons served and assist persons to develop skills and supports to transition to and/or maintain independent housing.
• Act as liaison to local housing authorities, private landlords and other housing-related resources/agencies.  Provides housing related feedback and information to Integrated Team and GLE staff to facilitate communication between housing resources, the Team, and persons served.
• Responsible for the tracking and monitoring of DMH rental assistance properties by maintaining a database, conducting routine visits to the properties to ensure licensing compliance and participating in inspections with DMH licensing staff.
• Responsible for ensuring the DMH rental assistance leases are current and complete.
• Use person-centered, recovery-oriented and strengths-based approaches to assist persons served in finding, securing and maintaining independent housing.
• Assist persons served in completing housing and subsidy paperwork and work with persons to conduct housing searches.
• Responsible for the knowledge of relevant DMH regulations and ACCS program procedures by reading the program and agency manual and supervision by program manager or designee to ensure compliance and quality person served care.
• Serve as a member on an ACCS Integrated team by attending regularly scheduled meetings, coming prepared to present relevant psychosocial history, and provide updates on person served's progress toward goals and any barriers to progress.
• Responsible for assisting in the development, understanding, & implementation of CSPs of those that are on assigned case load by involving person served and significant others as appropriate.
• Assess the needs of assigned persons on a regular basis by reviewing records, providing supportive counseling and maintaining regular contact with persons served and families via outreach in their home or other community environments.
• Provide competency-based, evidence-based and best practice interventions including use of identified screening tools.

• Responsible for reading & communicating all pertinent information and attending daily rounds and staff meetings and informing supervisor or designee of any critical information.
• Responsible for transporting or arranging transportation for persons served that need that level of service.
• Involve persons served and all identified natural supports and collateral providers in the process of treatment planning and ensure that plans are agreed upon by obtaining person served or LAR signature.
• Responsible for maintaining person served records in a timely manner by documenting in EMR and paper record and completing all other related forms to ensure compliance with DMH regulations and licensing/Joint Commission requirements.

License and/or Certification Requirements:

• Possession of a current and valid Class D Motor Vehicle Operator's license is required for this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in Housing Specialist related fields.
• Experience working with people with chronic/persistent mental illness and/or substance use disorders.
• Experience in and/or knowledge of human services desired.
• Given the population served, bilingual or multilingual fluency.

Mission Statement:

The Brockton Multi Service Center provides comprehensive services to mentally ill adults and children. Programs include Outpatient, Case Management, ACCS, and PACT team. The Brockton Multi service Center is a Joint Commission certified facility. In all ways we aspire to create an environment which promotes growth, recovery and independence for clients, families and employees alike.  

Pre-Hire Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori 

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines. 

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122, Option 4.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: 

REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE:  At least two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional or paraprofessional experience in social work, social casework, vocational counseling, employment counseling, rehabilitation counseling, or educational counseling. 

SUBSTITUTIONS:  

-  A Bachelor's or higher degree in rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation counseling, education of the physically or emotionally handicapped, education of the multiple handicapped, education of the learning disabled, social work, psychology, human services, or counseling may be substituted for the required experience on the basis of two years of education for one year of experience.   

-  A Bachelor's or higher degree in a major other than rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation counseling, education of the physically or emotionally handicapped, education of the multiple handicapped, education of the learning disabled, social work, psychology, human services, or counseling may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience on the basis of four years of education for one year of experience.  

-  Licensure as a Licensed Rehabilitation Counselor by the Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health Professionals or Certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification may be substituted for the required experience. 

-  One year of education equals 30 semester hours.  Education toward a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

COVID Vaccine: As a condition of employment, depending on job assignment and location, employees may be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination and/or other vaccinations, or to have been approved for a vaccination exemption prior to their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment. 

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.