Permanent Supportive Housing Retention Specialist - National Community Renaissance

The Hope Through Housing Foundation (Hope) is committed to breaking the cycle of generational poverty by implementing high-quality social services for low-income families and seniors living within and around National CORE's affordable housing developments throughout California, Texas, and Florida. We seek passionate, hardworking team members who are committed to transforming lives and communities. Together, we deliver Hope, Opportunity, Prosperity, and Empowerment to thousands of youth, adults, and seniors each year.

About the Job:

The Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Retention Specialist will utilize proactive prevention, best-practice approaches, and collaborative interventions in the social service areas to support residents to thrive and retain their housing. The PSH Retention Specialist works closely and coordinates with onsite Property Management staff, other HOPE employees, and external partnerships regularly. This role serves as a resource for PSH/ Special Population associated needs for properties throughout San Diego County. This includes providing guidance, crisis response, and resource coordination for special populations with specific needs, with a focus on formerly homeless individuals. The PSH Specialist maintains a direct reporting relationship with the Director of PSH & Resident Services.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The HOPE PSH Retention Specialist is responsible for being a content expert, well versed in PSH and associated approaches and processes to cultivate impact and remain compliant. This not only includes direct services but also supporting, coordinating, and monitoring high-quality programs and activities by HOPE and our partnerships within the National CORE properties. The PSH Retention Specialist is responsible for assessing needs, developing program strategies, and ensuring the delivery of quality programming through a combination of cross team support, direct service, and service partner development. Must effectively document, communicate and evaluate programs and make program recommendations/changes based on both the compliance and effectiveness of programming. Qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

Supportive Services

• Develop and maintain positive professional relationships and provide support to PSH residents.
• Educate and support HOPE services team, property managers, and external partners through housing retention resources and approaches to ensure residents gain long term stability. This includes, using marketing and outreach approaches to reach both property management and their PSH residents in need.
• Identify and evaluate resident needs, develop individual service plans (ISP), and deliver quality services for residents both directly and through service partnerships.
• Approach problem solving with a client-centric, trauma informed lens. This includes working collaboratively with internal teams and external partners on Housing Retention Plans.
• Connect PSH residents to community resources and referral opportunities, in accordance with resident surveys and data collection, providing guidance and support in accessing resources.
• Provide support for local, and/or grassroots efforts promoting health, wellness and overall stability within the resident population.
• Develop a site program schedule for residents with access to a variety of recreational, educational, and enrichment activities that help to support housing retention and overall wellness.
• Provide age-appropriate activities and events for participants, coordinate activities to meet the developmental needs and interests of all residents.
• Coordinate along with the Director of PSH the design, implementation, and delivery of PSH objective focused activities that support retention.
• Manage and maintain a harmonious relationship with site staff and community partners which includes developing an onsite mechanism to facilitate resident connection to other on-site service partners, community service agency resources and referrals, including personnel of community service providers, educational opportunities, and support groups.

Advocating on behalf of residents includes:

• Respecting confidentiality and related policies at all times; understanding and acting as a mandated reporter.
• Acting responsibly and modeling appropriate and responsible behavior to residents, by observing rules and regulations of the programs.
• Knowledge of residents' rights and responsibilities including fair housing and housing first approaches.
• Using diplomacy, courtesy, and respect - encouraging residents to do the same¬ when writing or speaking to management or outside agencies.
• Clearly and accurately documenting the problem and the response of those contacted.
• Working collaboratively with other organizations and service providers.

Data, Reporting & Compliance

• Oversee as a team with Director of Compliance & Director of PSH the delivery and evaluation for PSH programming to ensure all deliverable are met.
• Manage and monitor assigned services budget(s) including supplies, vendors, and fundraising.
• Maintain client resident services files and database of resident contact referrals and engagement in order to identify trends, patterns, needs, opportunities, and outcomes of services including documentation and certifications. Assist with program evaluation that ensures effective services and outcomes.
• Run assigned meetings as assigned including taking detailed and accurate minutes with action items for attendees clearly dedicated. This includes of tracking attendance to some required meetings.
• Provide regular reports of activities and events and maintain documentation in line with compliance regulations. This includes self-auditing regularly to ensure work remains compliant.
• Ensure all program objectives are met include various private grants, city, state and federal funding.
• Ensure service providers are consistent with required site and service regulations.
• Ensure service providers complete and update records on all enrolled which includes providing a report monthly on all onsite activities.
• Ensure staff and service providers follow policies and complete records on all participants.

Community Partnerships and Donors

• Maintain regular communication with external relations regarding new service partners and evaluation of service delivery by partners.
• Serve as community ambassador, developing relationships resulting in in-kind service/product donations and financial contributions.
• Community Building - Support social events and community engagement opportunities designed to build greater community among residents.
• Must attend Company sponsored events that relate to the development of the team, which, from time to time, may include overnight stays at locations away from the employee's home.

Professional Development

• Ensure trainings are completed regularly to maintain a relevant level of PSH compliance and intervention knowledge ongoing.
• Participate in annual trainings focused on core modalities such as Trauma Informed Care (TIC), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Harm Reduction and other applicable professional development opportunities.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated track record and passion for working with vulnerable populations with complex needs.
• Must have a sincere interest in working with those that have experienced homelessness from a variety of age ranges and backgrounds.
• Excellent organizational and document management skills.
• Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with other HOPE staff, National CORE staff, public officials, private sector officials, parents, and community leaders.
• Ability to meet the needs of a diverse, low-income population.
• Ability to communicate effectively and demonstrate sensitivity to others.
• Ability to write clear, grammatically correct administrative tasks including but not limited to: professional emails to internal and external stakeholders, meeting minutes, flyers, case notes, reports, narratives, social media posts.
• Ability to use Outlook, Word, Power Point, Excel and other basic computer software programs.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Experience using a case management software including Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), is strongly preferred.
• Fluency in a language in addition to English is preferred.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in public health, human behavior, psychology, social work or related field is desirable or have an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Have a minimum of two years of relevant experience within social services, homeless services and/or a PSH setting.
• Demonstrated experience working in a social service, PSH or related field providing case management services.
• Experience working with and demonstrated understanding of unique challenges for vulnerable populations including but not limited to those experiencing homelessness, mentally ill, substance use illness, trauma, and chronic medical needs, is preferred.
• Be able and willing to work flexible hours which may include evenings or weekends.
• Have reliable transportation and:
  • A valid driver's license
  • Current Auto Insurance
• Successfully complete the following as a condition of hire:
  • Tuberculosis Test
  • Background Screening
  • Drug Test

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Exposure to various types of weather conditions.
• Sitting, walking
• Driving
• May include lifting up to 20 pounds.
• Operate computer and office equipment.
• Ability to pass TB skin test and background check.

FLSA

• Exempt