Housing Specialist

Position Title:                   Housing Specialist
Program/Dept:                  Supported Housing Program—San Mateo
Reports to:                        Program Director
Classification:                   Regular, Full Time, Non-Exempt              
Compensation:                 $30.60/Hour + Full Benefits Package                                                

Agency Description: Caminar and our divisions transformed the lives of over 31,000 youth and adults across San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Francisco, Solano, Contra Costa, and Butte counties last year through education, behavioral health care, and support. Driven by compassion, science, and our understanding of root causes, we deliver high-quality prevention, treatment, and recovery services to those with complex mental health, substance use, and co-occurring needs.

We understand that quality behavioral health outcomes occur when a person is supported in all their basic human needs, and we actively partner with our clients and the community to address the social determinants of health that lead to sustained well-being. We are here to empower and support the most vulnerable members of our community to move toward wellness, resilience, and independence.

Caminar values diversity. People of all races, ethnicities, countries of origin, faith, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities are welcome here.

Position Description:  Under supervision of the Program Director, the Housing Specialist provides lease-up assistance housing and case management services to clients in Caminar’s San Mateo Supported Housing Program. 
 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Support the attainment of client rehabilitation goals utilizing psychosocial rehabilitation principles.
• Develop and maintain a respectful, caring, and empowering relationship with clients.
• Assist with and teach independent living skills including cleaning, budgeting, bill management and conflict resolution between roommates.
• Maintain a client caseload as assigned.
• Maintain at 65 % productivity level weekly, Billing will be required in accordance with agency contracts.
• Provide supportive counseling, focusing on the client’s housing situation and needs.  Provide Cognitive/Behavioral types of intervention allowing the client to work toward achieving their housing goals and recognizing their strengths.
• Develop and maintain relationships with property managers to assist with tenant landlord relationships.
• Drive own or agency vehicle to treatment destinations, documenting and reporting mileage according to agency procedures, so that services can be provided in a timely manner; always comply with agency vehicle policy.
• Assist client tenants with making maintenance request.
• Educate clients on tenant rights and responsibilities.
• Conduct inspections of properties inhabited by agency client tenants to monitor living conditions, and report to housing manger the ability of clients to succeed in community housing. Inform housing manager of clinical issues that may require attention.
• Oversee vendor repairs and installations.
• Assist client tenants with review of lease agreements and move-in inspections.
• Assist with client moves; organize movers / dump run assist with cleaning and preparing units for tenant move-ins. Skill building with positive reinforcement and accountability creating individualized housing plan after identifying clients’ strengths and weaknesses helping clients who are struggling with personal hygiene, cleaning cooking/meal planning, budgeting creating chore list if needed connections clients with resources for Cleaning, applying for and monitoring IHSS
• Build rapport and maintain relationships with property management, area board and care facilities to facilitate placements.
• Help client tenants get funds for security deposits when appropriate, from local charitable organizations.
• Document in a timely manner all objectives and interventions according to agency, quality assurance and HUD requirements.
• File documents appropriately; participate in maintaining an efficient office environment. Must have data entry experience to maintain excel spreadsheets and word documents. Ability to draft notes and letters independently good communication skills
• Perform all job functions in cooperation with the supervisor, other staff on the case management team, and other service providers involved in the treatment effort, including sharing information regarding all important interventions.
• Participate in staff meetings and attend other meetings, as assigned.
• Attend and participate in regularly scheduled supervision sessions.
• Attend and complete trainings as assigned and in a timely manner.
• Participate in promoting a safe, healthy, and clean working environment at all times consistent with applicable laws, industry standards and the agency’s own Health & Safety Program.
• Complete and submit accurate time sheets and absence reports to program management in a timely manner.
• Promote within the agency and with the public the philosophy and practice of social rehabilitation.
• Actively nurture and advance the cooperative, harmonious and teamwork-oriented environment Caminar strives to promote within the workplace; Through daily efforts and presentation promote an atmosphere of dignity and respect in line with the organization’s mission, philosophy, policies, and procedures.
• Perform other related duties, responsibilities and special projects as assigned.
• Maintain rent log spreadsheet and recap sheets twice a month or as needed.
• Facilitate in person meetings once a month 30 mins promoting community building with tenants, case managers and property management IHSS
• Strategize, develop action plans to support tenants based on whole person care in collaboration with PD case management team caregivers and tenants themselves. It’s a team effort.

Experience, Qualifications, Skills & Abilities:

• Must be passionate about Caminar's mission.
• BA/BS in a mental health or human services related field.  Absent BA/BS, a minimum two-years (4000 hours) of verifiable program experience in the provision of direct services to individuals with severe mental illness is required.
• Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment including email and Internet navigation required. Experience with Human Service Information Systems strongly preferred. Experience with web-based time and attendance and staff training and development system strongly preferred.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality, a professional demeanor and to always represent the organization in a positive manner.
• Must demonstrate acceptable level of maturity, good judgment, and emotional stability.
• Problem solving—identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
• Custom er Service—manages difficult customer situations, responds promptly to customer needs and solicits customer feedback to improve service
• Oral and written communication—speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, demonstrates group presentation skills, and conducts meetings.   Completes written progress notes and other formal communications skillfully and professionally
• Quality management—looks for ways to improve and promote quality and demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness
• Planning/organizing—prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently and develops realistic action plans
• Adaptability—adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands and is able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events
• Dependability—is consistently at work and on time, follows instructions, responds to management direction and solicits feedback to improve performance
• Safety and security—actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures, and uses equipment and materials properly
• Must be a dynamic self-starter with demonstrated ability to work independently on special projects 

Physical, Environmental and Mental Requirements:

• Physical: Occasionally required to push/pull objects up to 50 lbs., and to lift/carry objects up to 25 lbs.  Frequently required to perform moderately difficult manipulative tasks such as typing, writing, etc. Must be able to walk, stand, and sit for extended periods
• Sensory: Frequently required to read documents, written reports, and plans. Must be able to distinguish normal sounds with some background noise, as in answering the phone, interacting with residents and staff, etc.  Must be able to speak clearly and understand/be understood using the English language
• Cognitive: Frequently required to concentrate on moderate detail with constant interruption. Must be able to attend to a task/function for 20-45 minutes at a time. Frequently required to understand and relate to specific ideas,

several at a time. Must be able to remember multiple tasks/assignments given to self and others over a period of several days

• Environmental Conditions: Frequent exposure to varied office and mixed (residential/office) environments.  Occasional exposure to toxins and poisonous substances, dust, and loud noises.
• Equipment: Frequently required to use a computer, phone, and fax machine

Special Requirements:

• Must be able to meet and receive a criminal records clearance, as required by Title XXII, other licensing regulations, and Caminar practices
• This position requires frequent driving.  A valid California driver license, reliable personal vehicle, current personal auto insurance as required by law, and an MVR sufficient to obtain and reasonably maintain insurability under agency auto liability policies are all essential job requirements
• Must be able to pass post offer, pre-employment medical and drug tests as required under State Community Care Licensing regulations and/or agency policies
• Must have a personal cell phone with reliable service and, if applicable, a data plan to use for business purposes.  Stipend will apply 
• May be required to obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR certification

We've Got You Covered

Medical, Dental, and Vision
Health coverage choices to fit you and your family’s needs. A zero-cost option for employee only and generous contributions to employee and dependent premiums.

Flexible Spending Account
Receive tax savings on out-of-pocket health care costs

Employee Wellness Program
We’ll reimburse you for a portion of your gym/fitness dues.

Life, Long-term Disability, and AD&D Insurance
Provided at no cost to our full-time employees. Includes an option to purchase additional life coverage for both employees and dependents.

Paid Time Off
We offer twelve paid holidays and a generous sick and vacation benefit.

401(K) Retirement Savings Plan
We offer options for both pre-tax and post-tax (Roth) contributions. 
 The plan also offers an employer match on eligible employee deferrals at one year of service.

Commuter Benefits
Commuting to work each day can be expensive. Receive tax savings on your commuting costs

Employee Assistance Program
 For whatever issue you might face, our Life Assistance Program offers free, confidential assistance at no cost to you. 

Caminar is a leader in providing innovative client-oriented mental health services.  We are an equal opportunity employer.  Please visit our web site at www.caminar.org