Housing Outreach Specialist

Vision

Qualifications

Required Education: Lived Experience; High School Diploma or GED with 2+ years working experience may be substituted for educational requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

o Multi-lingual (especially Spanish). o Experience working with individuals with high barriers to housing stability including mental health, substance use disorders, and medical illness, familiar with resources for families or individuals who are low-income or unhoused, understand the socio-economic systems at the root causes of poverty. Capable of using Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word, and Outlook. Ability to pass State and/or Federal Background Checks as determined by position (prior to hire date). Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: Must demonstrate recognition and compassion for low-income peoples. Must be aware and sensitive to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Demonstrated ability to input, aggregate and analyze data including generation of accurate and complete reports. Demonstrated successful experience in preparing and processing documentation following relevant process and guidelines (such purchase requests, requests for payment, etc.) License(s) and/or Certifications: Reliable transportation to work. Ability to obtain proof of insurability for operating an automobile. Current Immunizations per Washington Administrative Code (can be obtained upon hire). Essential Physical and Mental Functions Position requires intermittent sitting, standing, walking, twisting, and bending. Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds. Simple grasping and hand manipulation required as well as reaching above and below shoulder level. Must be able to build secure, nurturing relationships with client households. Cognitive ability to recognize and address safety concerns. Cognitive and emotional ability to work directly with clients in need, which may include homelessness, mental health issues, substance abuse, or other mental or physical barriers. Must be able to work outside in a variety of weather conditions. Cognitive ability to discern accuracy and apply to work as necessary. Cognitive ability to read, write, and understand English. Physical and cognitive ability to operate a motor vehicle. Flexibility in the ability to manage and work with multiple agency programs.

Responsibilities

Included but are not limited to Meets with individuals who may be homeless to determine their emergency and/or permanent housing needs, screens individuals for program eligibility, and coordinates referrals with the appropriate housing providers. Identifies other household primary barriers (employment, substance abuse, mental health, education, domestic violence, and health) and coordinates resource referrals for these services. Assists the team in tracking and collecting and compiling client statistics and in the completion of program reports. Is current on all community resources and assures all resource materials are updated in a timely manner. Participates in meetings, conferences, training sessions and workshops as assigned. Report to and accept assignments from the Housing Solutions Center Supervisor. Service delivery of the Foundational Community Support (FCS) program for each qualified household on caseload including, but not limited to, submitting reauthorizations before expirations and meeting monthly FCS billing targets. Demonstrate personal compliance with KCR Polices & Procedures, grant guidelines, and federal & state regulations. Maintain recordkeeping and reporting systems to ensure accurate information, with timely completion and follow-up. Daily web-based data entry. Includes HMIS, CCL, Sharepoint, and other databases as assigned. Work with individuals experiencing behavior health and substance use and other high-barriers. Provide direct services to unhoused, at-risk of becoming unhoused, and recently housed individuals Establish knowledge of and develop positive professional relationships with community programs. Proactively reach out to and maintain communication by performing home visits (including hotels and encampments, phone calls, texts) when appropriate with clients. Ensure translation of knowledge to appropriate individuals. Develop and utilize skills when working with individuals including trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, progressive engagement and strength-based coaching. Work with Individuals, landlords, and community partners to ensure all program requirements are met. Maintain positive working relationships with other staff. Actively participate in a team-oriented approach including attending all required team meetings. Keep immediate supervisor promptly and fully informed of all salient information pertinent to the current discussion. Salient information includes prior case notes and suggested courses of action. Take prompt action when necessary. Prompt communication with supervisor regarding when work activities extend beyond KCR working hours. Seek out, participate in, and research for presentations in meetings, conferences, training sessions and workshop opportunities.

• Work/Life Balance KCR offers a robust benefits package to support balance between work and life outside the workplace.
• Vacation, Sick, Personal Holiday, and other time off for life events such as Jury Duty, Bereavement, etc.
• 100% Employer paid Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Long-term and Short-term Disability for employee only (dependents can be covered through payroll deduction) 6.5% Employer Contribution to 401K after first 12-18 months of employment Employee Assistance Program Employee Wellness Program Employee Growth & Development Training Programs All duties and requirements listed in this job description are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
• This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position; employees will be requested to follow any other job-related instructions and perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.
• Kitsap Community Resources reserves the right to determine the contents of KCR job descriptions.
• Kitsap Community Resources is an “at-will” employer.
• KCR recognizes that ideas come from a varied mix of minds, backgrounds and experiences.
• KCR is committed to attracting and retaining a varied and highly skilled staff, by honoring experiences, perspectives and unique identities of the community in which we serve.
• KCR provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, nation of origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, disability, veteran status or any other protected category under federal, state, and local law.
• KITSAP COMMUNITY RESOURCES (KCR) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind.
• KCR is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment.
• All employment decisions at KCR are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex, pregnancy, age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.
• KCR will not tolerate discrimination or harassment.