United States of America: Housing Resource Specialist- Veteran's Program

Housing Resource Specialist

Summary:** The Housing Resource Specialist provides technical assistance, information and referral, advocacy and resource development for Agency program participants and related service providers. The employee in this position at a residential program may be required to remain on agency premises during break and/or meal periods. Individual accountabilities and work volume will be established through the development of annual Success Objectives, within the framework outlined below.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Locates and secures appropriate private market housing units available to homeless or at risk individuals
• Interviews clients to determine the appropriateness of potential referral both from the perspective of the individual need and the resource referral criteria
• Instructs clients in budgeting skills, employment interviewing, job search skills and other specific skills necessary to achieve successful referral
• Meets with employees, landlords and service providers to help resolve conflicts that might arise with referred clients and also negotiate linkages to provide follow up services
• Assists in identification of supportive service “gaps” and needs at the program level
• Networks with other housing service providers to ensure that the housing needs of homeless or at risk individuals are adequately addressed
• Administers funds for client assistance per program policies and procedures which will help clients access resources
• Participates in organizations and coalitions, which help promote greater resources for clients
• Develops and maintains professional relationship with social service and government agencies and with other organizations to enhance service delivery and the agency image. Interprets agency programs to other social service and government agencies, the public and civic groups
• Continues his/her professional development by active, self initiated participation in/with supervision, in house training, conferences, seminars and independent study
• Participates in program and operational planning
• Assists in the preparation of grant applications, which will increase resources or linkages to existing resources
• Participates actively in all supervisory, Unit and agency meetings
• Adheres to professional standards as outlined by governmental bodies and or other appropriate professional associations) private funding sources Agency plans/policies and unity guidelines. Participates in periodic evaluative reviews and/or in house and external staff training to ensure that he/she understands and continues to adhere to such standards. Initiates requests for assistance or guidance from Supervisor to address new issues or complex concepts affecting adherence to professional standards
• Other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Education and/or Experience:
• Masters degree in a social service field and one year of experience in advocacy services, case management or similar work in a direct service setting or a Bachelors degree in a social service field and three years of experience in advocacy services, case management or similar work in a direct service setting or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in working with special populations including homeless and at risk individuals; individuals with psychiatric disorders and/or individuals with chemical dependencies. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and access to regular, dependable and timely transportations and comfortable working with people of varying socioeconomic backgrounds.

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.

• Frequently required to sit, stand and walk

Heartland Alliance makes all hiring and employment decisions, and operates all programs, services, and functions without regard to race, receipt of an order of protection, creed, color, age, gender, gender identity, marital or parental status, religion, ancestry, national origin, amnesty, physical or mental disability, protected veterans status, genetic information,sexual orientation, immigrant status, political affiliation or belief, use of FMLA, VESSA, military, and family military rights, ex-offender status (depending on the offense and position to be filled), unfavorable military discharge, membership in an organization whose primary purpose is the protection of civil rights or improvement of living conditions and humanrelations, height, weight, or HIV infection, in accord with the organization's AIDS Policy Statement of September 1987.

Please apply by clinking the link below to our Career Center:

http://chk.tbe.taleo.net/chk01/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=HEARTLANDALLIANCE&cws=1&rid=3531