Housing Intake Specialist

SUMMARY

The goal of the Housing Stability Intake Specialist is to provide administrative and intake support for the Housing Stability Service related to determining and documenting participant eligibility including counselor and care manager assignments, collection and recording of data, completion and processing of documents, providing information regarding the program eligibility and limits.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

$20 - $24 / Hourly

Medical/ Dental/ Vision coverage available, Free RTD ECO Pass, Sick Pay & 401(k) 4% company match to help plan for retirement. *Some divisions eligible for PTO

RESPONSIBILITIES

*Provides customer service to and serves as the primary contact for prospective and current applicants to the Housing Stability programs.

*Responsible for data entry and maintenance of client databases to track efforts and outcomes and produce required reports.

*Provide information and answer inquiries to landlords and tenants and other constituents about housing related matters.

*Screen the needs and status of the at-risk or displaced individual or family in order for the Office of Housing Stability to determine the housing options and to facilitate access to other needed resources or services.

*Provide information and referral services to City of Somerville residents seeking housing assistance via phone, in-person, by e-mail, at workshops, and through one-on-one counseling and any other program marketing or outreach efforts with the highest level of customer service possible.

*Maintain up-to-date information and knowledge regarding tenancy preservation, homelessness prevention and housing placement resources offered by city, state, and non-profit agencies.

*Help coordinate responses to housing emergencies and assist tenants with finding temporary and/or permanent housing, as directed.

*Assist housing counselors and care managers communicate with community-based agencies, property managers, owners, and landlords to facilitate housing placement for at-risk and displaced tenants.

*Assist the Housing Stability directors with staff from other City departments to coordinate housing and services for at-risk or displaced tenants.

*Obtain eviction and other housing data from courts and other identified sources.

*Perform other duties as required.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

*Remain culturally attuned to the people of the community being served, able to communicate, be sensitive and compassionate.

*Very knowledgeable of the environment and systems through which the participant must move in order to access programs and services.

*Be connected with internal resources, external allies, service agencies and critical decisionmakers and make appropriate and accurate referrals to partners as appropriate.

*Keep abreast of current trends in community resources, social security benefits, state government benefits, medical and mental health programming, and best practices in accessing these resources and programs

*Maintain accurate data entry and record keeping. Participate in ongoing training and professional development opportunities that will contribute the effectiveness of the navigation team.

All other duties or special projects as assigned

SKILLS

*Highly organized, strong attention to detail and experienced in administrative systems

*Detail oriented with excellent ability to accurately enter data in systems and on forms

*Excellent database system skills (HMIS experience preferred)

*Excellent Microsoft Office Skills, especially Excel, Outlook, and Word

*Ability to encourage, support and acknowledge participants utilizing compassion and trauma-informed care principles

*Ability to communicate effectively with participants and staff

*Experience working with individuals with disabilities and mental illness preferred

*Excellent communication skills (written and verbal), grammar, and reasoning skills

*Typing speed at 40 wpm or more is preferred

*Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information without breach

*Bilingual (Spanish) may qualify for salary increase

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS

Associate degree (A.A.) and at least 2 years' administrative experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the responsibilities of the job.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as federal regulations, medical and psychological records, and data reports. Ability to write detailed reports and professional correspondence. Ability to speak effectively with participants, community partners and federal and state stakeholders. Bilingual (Spanish) may qualify for increased salary offer.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area. Ability to develop a participant budget, calculate dates/times and track income changes.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

*A valid driver's license. Must meet Motor Vehicle Requirements per Bayaud Enterprises Insurance Carrier, this is a condition of employment.

*Must have acceptable vehicle insurance coverage if personal vehicle is utilized for work.

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 use hands. The employee frequently is required to talk or hear; the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities by this job include: close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.

ALTERNATIVE WORK PLAN

This position is not eligible for an "Alternative Work Plan" for the first 60 days of employment for training purposes. All duties must be performed in Bayaud offices.

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 can be moderate to high.

TRAVEL

Travel may include:

*Community meetings or trainings

*Agency meetings or trainings

*Other travel as needed.

OTHER

Equipment Used: PC, telephone, copy machine, fax, calculator