Location: Milwaukee,WI, USA
Job Responsibilities:Position Summary: The Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) Housing Specialist position serves as a member of the CCS team providing housing services and advocacy for individuals enrolled in CCS.The Housing Specialist serves people at various stages of their recovery from mental health, substance use, and co-occurring needs by embracing the person's strengths to meet their housing needs.The Housing Specialist focuses on navigating the Milwaukee County housing system and advocating for the housing needs of the people enrolled in CCS.Essential Functions:Act as a member of the CCS team providing services to people with mental health, substance use, and co-occurring needs.Provide comprehensive housing services to people enrolled in CCS including locating housing resources, navigating housing system in Milwaukee County, and advocating for housing needs.Build off the person's strengths to meet their individualized recovery needs.All services will be person centered and directed by the individual being served.Utilize various methods to serve people; including, but not limited to: role modeling; monitoring; mentoring; supervision; assistance; and, cueing.Provide services in the community (including people's homes) and other community locations.Participate as a team member in recovery team meetings with the individual to create individual recovery plans, identify and prioritize goals, and monitor progress toward meeting identified needs.Appropriately document all contact with the people being served and team members to adhere to program requirements.Responsible for accurate documentation and maintaining a case file as required by agency policy, government regulations, and applicable local, state, and federal codes.Attend and participate in staff meetings, in-service training, seminars, and conferences as required.Responsible for maintaining flexibility in daily work schedule to adequately meet program needs.Responsible for adhering to agency policies and procedures while carrying out daily responsibilities.Other Duties and Responsibilities:Ensure people are able to get transportation to all CCS related appointmentsOther job-related duties as may be necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the positionJob Qualifications:Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:Significant knowledge of housing resources in Milwaukee County and direct experience serving people and advocating for housing needs.Knowledge and skills to work with a mental health and substance use recovery population; organization skills; experience in working with individuals in recovery who have mental health and/or substance use needs; ability to quickly develop rapport with people, excellent assessment and interviewing skills; good understanding of mental health needs; strong understanding of the substance use population; ability to work through difficult situations; flexible and able to multitask throughout the work day; effective use of time and resources to help maintain quality CCS services.Minimal Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in social work, human services, or a like field is preferred.Two years of experience providing social services to people with mental health, substance use, and co-occurring needs preferred.Valid driver's license, automobile, and insurance sufficient to meet agency requirementsOther Job Information (if applicable):Work Relationship and Scope: Reports directly to the Housing Services Supervisor in the Specialized Services Division.Acts as a liaison with CCS team members, landlords, housing providers, Milwaukee County Housing Division, family members, etc. as needed.Personal Attributes: Follow agency Code of Conduct and Leadership Code of Conduct; adhere to established policies and procedures of the agency and of all funding sources; conduct self in an ethical manner; maintain professional and positive relationships with program staff, other WCS staff, consumers, and all external persons and agencies involved with service provision; sensitivity toward cultural, ethnic and disability issues; demonstrate commitment to agency values and mission.Working Conditions: Work is performed primarily in the community, including people's homes and various community-based locations.Ability to work in an office setting.Hours average 40 hours per week.Physical Demands: Position is mobile with significant time spent in the community, including transporting consumers, home visits and attending meetings; driving throughout Milwaukee County; must be able to go up and down stairs.PM21