Housing Specialist-Watertown
Salary: $22.00 – $24.00 Hourly
Classification: Full-time, Hourly, Non-Exempt. Thirty-five-hour (35.00) week; evenings and weekends are expected for meetings, workshops, and seminars.
Position Summary: The Housing Specialist works directly with individuals and families facing housing instability, assisting them in finding and securing appropriate affordable housing by conducting needs assessments, identifying available options, navigating application processes, advocating for clients, and connecting them with necessary support services to maintain stable housing
Apply: recruitment@acrhealth.org
Qualifications:
- Associate’s degree in health, human services, or a related field; OR three years’ experience providing direct client services in a nonprofit social service agency serving diverse populations (e.g., persons of color, LGBTQI+ individuals, people who use drugs, individuals with serious mental illness, those experiencing homelessness, or chronic illness management).
- Demonstrated cultural and linguistic competence, including sensitivity and commitment to serving individuals affected by HIV/AIDS, chronic illness, LGBTQ+ individuals, communities of color, people who use drugs, and other marginalized groups
- Solid knowledge of community-based work and proven ability to collaborate with internal teams and external partners.
- Strong skills in communication, documentation, and advocacy to support client needs effectively.
- Moderate to excellent technological skills, including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, and the demonstrated ability to learn, access and navigate web-based systems.
- Strong dedication to the mission, vision, and values of ACR Health, with strict adherence to HIPAA compliance and confidentiality standards.
- Valid New York State driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle with current insurance for work-related travel, training, outreach, and occasional client transportation. Employees are not required to own a personal vehicle but must have consistent access to one when necessary.
- Preferred: Experience in housing services and working with individuals at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
Responsibilities:
- Incorporate best practices regarding confidentiality into all job duties and communications in accordance with Article 27-F, ACR Health’s policies and procedures and other applicable regulations. Protect agency data in accordance with confidentiality procedures and protocols. Observe and abide by the HIV Confidentiality Law.
- Complete and regularly update all Housing Risk Assessments.
- Initiate and complete the process to secure decent, affordable permanent housing.
- Assist with completing paperwork associated with securing recertification for housing related benefits, income maintenance, and essential housing needs.
- Assist clients to secure services that maximize their tenure in housing; increase their ability to maintain their household and finances, independently perform activities of daily living, uphold the terms of their lease; prevent lease violations; intervene and mitigate crisis situations; maximize tenant safety and security; and prevent avoidable evictions
- Communicate, engage, advocate on behalf of tenants and mediate conflicts with landlords.
- Maintain an ongoing awareness of clients’ medical/social conditions through monthly home visits, regular communication with the client and engaged service providers, and through quarterly reassessments.
- Develop individual service plans in conjunction with the client, the Care Manager, when one is assigned, and other related service providers.
- Conduct multidisciplinary case conferences and coordinate services and referrals with services and clinical providers that facilitate a client’s engagement and retention in care.
- Maintain complete and accurate statistical information; prepare all required monthly and program reports as assigned; ensure thorough, up to date and complete client records.
- Complete/submit all required documentation within designated time frames.
- Participate in agency case conferences as scheduled.
- Re-evaluate care plan/conduct case conferences on a regular basis to ensure continuity of services.
- Provide crisis intervention when appropriate.
- Maintain working knowledge of Medicaid Redesign Team program regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Attend all required and recommended staff training and in-services.
- Perform other duties as assigned by Housing Coordinator, the Chief Program Officer, or Chief Executive Officer.