Housing Specialist (CIS)

Position Summary:

Care Hawaii is a behavioral health care organization seeking a compassionate and dependable Housing Specialist to support the daily functions of CAREs provision of services. CARE Hawaii, Inc. contracts with multiple stakeholders to provide an array of services. The Housing Specialist is a member of a multidisciplinary team, responsible for organizing, coordinating, monitoring all contract operations under the direction of the Director. The primary duties of the Housing Specialist are to provide support in finding, securing, and maintaining permanent housing for individuals.

The Housing Specialist provides case management for homeless individuals with severe mental illness, who may also suffer from co-occurring substance abuse/medical needs. The Housing Specialist should have the clinical skills and experience to work with the homeless population, and highly effective communication skills to refer individuals to appropriate program/services. This member may work in collaboration with other providers and any other members of the individual’s circle of support. Position Qualifications:

Minimum Education:

High school Diploma or GED for part-time work of up to 20hours per week. *Bachelor’s degree or higher employees who are hired as full-time status will also be working in the crisis program as a crisis therapist. Preferred field experience working with homeless or transitional housing individuals. (Field experience may include community outreach; locating individuals on the street; completing homeless assessments – Vulnerability Index-Service prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (VISPDT); finding short and long-term housing; assisting individuals to apply for documents, benefits, and housing.)

Required Certification/Registration:

o CPR and First Aid

o TB

o Background Check

o CPI

o Valid Driver’s License

o Vehicle: Current and Valid Documentation

Job Competencies Required Skills: Mature, reliable, and responsible. Must have clear, concise, and empathetic communication skills. Must be culturally sensitive and aware. Must know the basics of ethics, HIPPA standards, and problem solving. Must display sound judgment, a good work ethic, and personal integrity. Must have knowledge of housing resources, issues, and rental housing market in Hawaii. Ability to relate effectively to individuals with a mental illness, substance abuse issues, co-occurring disorders, and homelessness.

Technical Skills: Basic use of a computer and/or tablet, Microsoft Word Suite, fax machine, telephone, and text and chat features on the telephone or computer.

Working Environment: Community-based services; provides outreach in the community. Indoor/outdoor, open windows or air-conditioned environment; may require some travel, over-time, weekend, and holiday work, working with other Federal and/or State accounting bodies, noise level in the environment may be moderate to noisy. Exposure to infectious diseases is a relatively common risk.

Job Description Special Demands: Ability to respond effectively to the varied needs and demands of multidisciplinary team members. Have access to helpful, adequate, competent, and continuous supports and services.

Consumers Served: CARE Hawaii will provide services to any who meet the criteria of the program. The treatment of individuals should reflect an understanding of the developmental needs and range of treatment needs for each client.

Physical Demands: Sit for long periods of time, use of proper ergonomics, the ability to focus on a computer and/or tablet for long periods of time. Ability to assist with the high volume of calls; ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing is essential. Ability to follow instructions and motivation to refer to various rehabilitative groups. Frequent reading of printed materials is essential. Listening skills necessary to effectively respond to consumers. Ability to identify and support the daily interactions and to deal with each situation in a stress-free manner.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Essential Functions of a Housing Specialist

· Assist eligible clients in locating, obtaining, and retaining housing.

· Provide tenant counseling

· Assist clients in understanding leases

· Assist clients in opening utility accounts and maintaining them in good standing

· Develop relationships with local landlords to provide housing options to clients

· Ability to travel throughout island to meet with landlords, clients’ prospective landlords on a regular basis Assist eligible clients in achieving housing stability

· Coordinate services to support clients in their housing stability

· Monitor and evaluate client's progress

· Maintain client records and other general responsibilities

· Meet with clients to conduct an intake and assessment and required contract documentation

· Ensure client records are kept in accordance with agency standards

· Observe/follow guidelines on confidentiality rights of clients and respect their privacy

· Attend training required of employees as scheduled

· Participate as a team member in staff and supervisory meetings as required

· Provides vocational services, including job placement and support in maintaining one's job for CCS consumers

· Provide linkage as appropriate to providers of case management, treatment, nutritional education, housing placement, money management skills, transportation options.

· Collaborates with other team members in developing, writing, implementing, evaluating, and revising recovery/treatment goals, objectives, and plans

· Provides transportation for clients as assigned/needed

· Provides all documentation and reports in a timely manner

· Required, including, but not limited to, client progress to maintain a permanent record of client activity according to established method and procedures

· Required participation in team and/or funder meetings

· Willingly performs other duties/responsibilities as requested.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $18.00 - $26.00 per hour

Benefits:

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

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: On the road