SCHEDULE: 40 hours, Monday – Friday, Monday Wed Friday 7:45 am to 4:15 pm, Tuesday & Thursday 10 am to 6:30 pm
Pays $ $19/hour
LOCATION: 434 Harrison Ave. and other PSI shelters
JOB DESCRIPTION:
SUMMARY OF THE POSITION:
The Housing Resource Specialist Co-op is responsible for providing services in the Rapid Engagement Center (drop in center). At the Rapid Engagement Center we assist shelter guests in a self-directed individual housing pathway in order to find permanent housing, mainstream benefits and other community resources as needed. The Housing Resource Specialist Co-Op exhibits excellent customer service and possesses a sense of initiative, is self-directed, works well with groups, has a good sense of humor, and is knowledgeable about housing resources in the Boston area. The Housing Resource Specialist Co-Op is able to research and access new housing opportunities and is regularly updating all resource materials for guests and staff. The Housing Resource Specialist Co-Op is able to discern which guests are able to manage housing searches independently and which guests need more hands on help.
REQUIREMENTS:
EDUCATION/TRAINING:
REQUIRED:
- High School Diploma or GED
PREFERRED:
- Bilingual, with an emphasis in English, Spanish, and Haitian-Creole
- Preferred coursework in social policy, social work, human services, psychology
KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE:
REQUIRED:
- Interest in human service field work
- Knowledge of effective crisis intervention techniques and ability to respond appropriately in crisis situations
- Excellent customer service skills; highly developed and effective interpersonal skills
- Ability to use internet, social media, and other research tools to identify resources and housing opportunities
- Fluent in 2010 MS Office Suite, applications (Word, Excel, etc.), email, and internet browsers
- Experience in maintaining confidential records and information
- Experience in prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Experience working in a team-oriented environment
- Superior organizational and written communications skills and demonstrated project management experience
PHYSICAL ABILITIES/SKILLS:
REQUIRED:
- Ability to sit for long periods of time
- Ability to access different building locations and program sites
- requires stooping, bending, and stretching
- Ability to use a computer for email, word processing and spreadsheets; and other office equipment (fax, copier etc.) as needed
- Ability to respond quickly and calmly in emergency situations
MENTAL ABILITIES/SKILLS:
REQUIRED:
- Superior attention to detail
- Ability to adapt to changing goals and priorities
- Must be able to perform a wide variety of difficult tasks at the same time
- Ability to work effectively under pressure
- Ability to take initiative
- Must be self-directed
- Demonstrated commitment to Pine Street Inn’s mission, positive approach to change, promoting best development practices
- Highly developed organizational skills and excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills are essential
- Must be able to take direction well
- Works proactively to keep up with program innovations and new administrative technologies
- Demonstrated ability to successfully work in a fast-paced, goal-oriented team environment
- Enthusiasm, positive sense of humor and can do attitude
- Must be able to work with diverse constituencies in a stressful environment
- Ability to work independently as needed and also function as a member of a team
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
- Responsible for helping the PSI meet housing placement goals and reducing length of stay for shelter guests.
- Responsible for gathering and disseminating resources regularly to guests and staff.
- Meets with guests daily to provide resources and assist with housing applications and obtaining necessary documents for housing applications (i.e.; IDs, birth certificates, verification of homelessness, etc.)
- Enters efforts and referrals into Clarity
- Maintains files for guests served; tracking all referrals and housing applications.
- Makes referrals to appropriate resources as needed (i.e.; benefits applications, substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, etc.)
- Available to attend housing related appointments with guests as appropriate.
- Uses motivational interviewing skills to help guests move through stages of change to take action steps toward housing and accept reasonable housing placements.
- Accepts supervision and guidance and actively participates in efforts to improve quality of performance.
- Protects and maintains confidential information and adheres to Pine Street Inn’s policies and procedures.
- Collects and compiles information for reports and contracts.
- Conducts research to support projects as assigned.
- Assists in preparing for monitoring and audit visits.
INTERNAL CANDIDATES, IF INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION, PLEASE SUBMIT A PROMOTION/TRANSFER APPLICATION TO THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT WITHIN 10 DAYS OF POSTED DATES.
Pine Street Inn is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.