Location: Arlington,VA, USA
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
This announcement may be used to fill future vacancies.
Arlington County's Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking a Lead Housing Support Services Specialist to provide housing-focused case management and support to individuals with a serious mental illness and various disabilities. This position will provide training to employees during onboarding and ongoing to ensure staff are providing housing-focused case management. As well this position will provide services to program participants to set goals for healthy individual growth with an emphasis on housing stability.
This position is assigned to the Arlington County Permanent Supportive Housing Program (PSH) as part of the Housing Assistance Bureau of DHS and reports to the Supportive Housing Services Assistant Manager. Permanent Supportive Housing is an evidence-based practice and an effective housing strategy for persons with disabilities.
To learn more about our services please visit DHS.
Responsibilities include:
* Providing PSH participants with housing stabilization, eviction prevention services and responses to housing emergencies;
* Advising Housing Specialists on how to assist participants with the application process and move-in activities including budget development, utilities set-up, accessing subsidies, and acquiring furniture;
* Developing and administering trainings to DHS staff and partners such as landlords and community partners on the PSH Program;
* Conducting onboarding processes for Housing Specialists such as training for home visits, documenting records, client engagement, crisis management;
* Updating internal and external reports for program systems (i.e. case notes in Homeless Management Information System); and
* Creating Quality Assurance reports, review charts, and electronic records to ensure compliance with local and stated funded PSH program.
The ideal candidate will possess the following:
* Proven conflict resolution skills that include persuading others, developing positive, trusting relationships with tenants, landlords, and service providers;
* Negotiation sills to solve housing issues that may not be addressed through traditional service delivery;
* Ability to work well under stressful situations; and
* Ability to prioritize competing tasks, and have strong record keeping and interpersonal skills.
Arlington County DHS is committed to delivering client services in an effective, equitable, respectful, and trauma-informed manner. Our staff is dedicated to ensuring our clients are approached, engaged and cared for in ways that demonstrate competency, sensitivity and awareness of factors which impact the client experience including but not limited to: cultural identity, gender, racial, and ethnic diversity, religious/spiritual ascription, physical capability, cognitive and literacy levels, sexual orientation, and linguistic needs.
Minimums:
Education: Bachelor's degree in business or public administration, sociology, or related field.
Experience: Considerable experience providing housing-focused case management and support to individuals with a serious mental illness and various disabilities in housing and human services program administration.
Licenses/Certifications: Depending on area of assignment, certain positions may require Housing Choice Voucher Specialist Certification or equivalent, housing quality standard certification and a positive driving record.
Desirables: Preference may be given to candidates with experience/certifications in one or more of the following:
* Working with a Housing First model
* Harm Reduction techniques;
* Running quality assurance reports;
* Providing supportive housing needs for low-income populations with cognitive, mental, developmental disabilities and/or individuals with substance use disorders;
* Housing Quality Standard certification; and/or
* Bilingual speaking English/Spanish.
Special Requirements
The applicant must possess, or obtain by the time of appointment, a valid motor vehicle operator's license from the applicant's place of residence or the applicant must have the ability or willingness to use alternative methods of transportation to perform assigned duties and responsibilities at locations other than the primary worksite. If the applicant possesses or acquires a license, the applicant must authorize Arlington County to obtain, or the applicant must provide, a copy of the applicant's official state/district driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon a favorable review of the applicant's driving record.
Completion of a State of Virginia Central Registry Check.
A pre-hire background check will be made on all candidates who are selected for employment. It may include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You may be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.
An assessment of oral Spanish proficiency would be required before a candidate can be appointed to a bilingual position (English/Spanish). The incumbent in a bilingual position would receive the language pay premium on all hours worked and on paid leave hours.
Additional Information
Work hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday with some flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed. Some telework may be available. On-call 24 hours a day availability is required.
This is a grant-funded position from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health Development Services (DBHDS).
The official job title is Sr Housing Assistance Program Specialist.
Your responses to the supplemental questionnaire are considered part of the selection process and are required for this position. Please do not give see resume as a response to the questions. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
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