Job Title: Aurora/HUD PSH Coordinator

Department: Community Programs for Social Justice

Reports to: Director of Social Services

Hours: Full Time, Exempt (occasional Saturday or Sunday availability required)

Status: Permanent

Salary: $21.23 ($44,158.40) - $23.23 ($48,318.40)

Benefits: Full medical and dental benefits

Primary Work Site: Gateway Office

Want to help make a difference? Human Solutions counters the forces that keep people and communities in poverty by building relationships and assets that create opportunity - today and for future generations.

We partner with people and communities impacted by poverty so they can achieve long-term housing and economic security. We invest in affordable housing and community assets that contribute to strong, inclusive neighborhoods. We advocate with our community for policies and investments that expand housing and economic opportunity, eliminate wealth inequality and end poverty.

East Portland/East Multnomah County, Oregon is our home and the heart of our investments, advocacy and programs.

Human Solutions envisions vibrant, healthy neighborhoods where all people can share in the security, hopes and advantages of a thriving, supportive community.

Human Solutions operates as a nimble, financially strong organization driven by our passion, strategic goals and guiding principles.

Diversity, inclusion and equity are fundamental values for Human Solutions, both internally and externally. HSI has an Anti-Oppression Diversity Committee, which serves as a sounding board for new internal policies and procedures to make sure that we’re taking into account diversity and inclusion. It also helps with diversity-related projects, such as coordinating staff diversity trainings and providing ongoing input into our equity work.

Human Solutions is working to end homelessness and poverty in our community because everyone deserves a safe place to call home.

What Human Solutions Can Offer You: We offer a comprehensive array of benefits in support of your physical, emotional and financial well-being. A few highlights:

• Employer paid premiums for employee health insurance.
• Generous paid time off, 11 paid holidays, a floating birthday holiday and the ability to maintain a great work/life balance.
• Employer paid premiums for short-term and long-term disability insurance and life insurance.
• Access to an employee assistance program.
• Flexible spending accounts for health and for dependent care.
• Professional development opportunities, including employee driven committees and monthly optional staff workshops.
• Access to wellness initiatives and resources including things such as walking groups, yoga classes at two office locations and workshops on stress management, self-care and healthy living.
• Opportunity to contribute to a 401k retirement plan with a 2% employer match after three months of employment.
• A six-week paid sabbatical after every seven years of consecutive employment with HSI.

SUMMARY

The Aurora/HUD PSH Program Coordinator will assist the Director of Social Services to manage projects involving multiple partner organizations and funders. The Aurora Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) project is a Joint Office of Homeless Services (JOHS) funded program that provides PSH services to 16 families who will reside at The Aurora. That partnership includes JOHS, Home Forward, LifeWorks Northwest, Quantum Residential, and Human Solutions. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Continuum of Care (CoC) PSH projects include another partnership with Transition Projects, Inc. (TPI) Those are programs that are funded by HUD, but are also part of the JOHS led Continuum of Care. The Aurora/HUD PSH Coordinator position will supervise a combination of up to three program staff (including the Aurora Family Advocate, a HUD program Family Advocate, and a temporary intern, a JOBS Plus temporary employee or a volunteer). They will help review files for the Aurora/HUD PSH Programs and will help hire and train new staff working with these programs. They will help support the lease-up process at the Aurora, coordinate communications between all the partners, attend all partner meetings and facilitate team meetings related to the housing and support services at the Aurora. They will also help ensure program participants are receiving high quality services within the frameworks of Assertive Engagement and Trauma Informed Care. The Aurora/HUD PSH Program Coordinator will help build and maintain in-house training and practice modules to support new and current employees as they learn and apply Assertive Engagement (motivational interviewing, assertive outreach, and strength-based participant centered services) in their direct work with program participants. They will also be a main contact to field questions related to programs during the absence of their supervisor. Their responsibilities also include attending and representing Human Solutions at community meetings.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential

• Assists in overseeing the Aurora PSH program and the HUD PSH programs, like Safe Home, Safe Home Partnership, and Moving to Permanent Housing, ensuring files meet program requirements, and that rent and client assistance spending are on track to be fully spent for each contract year.
• Helps ensure that direct service staff needs are met in order to effectively work with participants within the Assertive Engagement and Trauma Informed Care frameworks.
• Attends regular Aurora meetings with Property management (Quantum Residential), Resident Services, LifeWorks Northwest, HUD Team meetings, monthly department meetings and semi-monthly all staff meetings and Gateway Building meetings on a regular basis.
• Attends JOHS facilitated weekly pre-lease-up meetings and bi-weekly case conferencing meetings, especially during lease-up and when PSH units turn over and new referrals are requested.
• Reviews files to ensure file standards compliance, and documents and reviews findings with staff in a constructive manner.
• Ensures quality service delivery to program participants, using independent and creative thinking.
• Effectively supervises up to three Family Advocates and uses sound judgment in terms of skill-building, professional development and coaching.
• Leads hiring and interviewing efforts as needed.
• Trains new staff in Aurora PSH, HUD PSH, and HUD RRH requirements.
• Works collaboratively with the Family Futures Program Coordinator and the Community Programs Manager/Social Services Director to onboard new staff and provide program and service model related trainings like the main skill sets of Assertive Engagement (motivational interviewing, assertive outreach, and the strength based approach).
• Helps establish a clear connection for Aurora PSH participants to on site services like MH services available through LifeWorks Northwest, and like resident services.
• Helps strengthen links with other community providers, including but not limited to agencies or programs that provide medical services, employment services, parenting support services, culturally specific services, and any other supports that might help the participant household thrive.
• Oversight in any Client Assistance spending for Aurora PSH program, supporting staff in use of funds and communications with QA&A team on ensuring proper payment processing is complete.
• Learns and helps train staff on differing program regulations, eligibility criteria and program operating instructions for Aurora PSH and HUD CoC programs, and helps staff operate within these guidelines.
• Ensures the maintenance of accurate, complete, and up-to-date documentation of service activities using Human Solutions procedures, forms, and data reporting systems. Submits paperwork in a timely manner.
• Works with Supervisor and Quality Assurance and Analysis Team to produce reports for the funder.

Secondary

• As needed, represents Human Solutions at external partner meetings held by The Joint Office of Homeless Services (JOHS), HUD, as well as at other Conferences or other HUD Trainings (and brings back information to share with HSI staff).
• Strengthens linkages with community providers, specifically with agencies or programs that could or are providing services for Aurora PSH and HUD PSH participants.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate must be able to perform each essential duty above satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge and abilities required.

Knowledge of:

• Development and implementation of client centered service planning.
• Trauma Informed Care, Assertive Engagement, and other best practices models of participant engagement.
• The effects of trauma and how trauma impacts families experiencing homelessness and poverty.
• Local and regional housing markets.
• Oregon Fair Housing law, basic landlord tenant law and tenant rights, and where to find support for participants in need of this information.
• Social and economic issues creating poverty and evidence based practices and techniques related to working with people with low income to achieve greater self- sufficiency.
• Community resources and agencies providing services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

Ability to:

• Collaborate with participants to identify their strengths, needs, options and help participants to identify which options combined with actions will be likely to yield the results that most closely match participants’ goals.
• Non-judgmentally elicit information and help problem solve around sensitive issues including but not limited to alcohol and drug use, domestic violence, child abuse and mental health.
• Plan and coordinate delivery of services.
• Use independent thinking to align staff approach and efforts to meet participant needs and program goals.
• Provide leadership and to facilitate group process, and to relate and work cooperatively with all volunteers and staff.
• Develop and maintain productive working relationships within Human Solutions, with public and private agencies, and with the general public and participants.
• Be culturally sensitive and culturally responsive as well as respectful when working alongside a broad diversity of participants, staff members, and community partners.
• Prepare and maintain clear, accurate, complete and timely records and reports.
• Maintain professional boundaries with participants, staff members and community partners.
• Lead small/large group meetings/trainings effectively.
• Understand and follow complex written and oral instructions, rules and procedures; to work independently and to be a vital and contributing part of a team.
• Demonstrate comfort discussing mental health and drug and alcohol issues with families.
• Lead hiring and interviewing efforts as needed.
• Train new staff in multiple, complex programs.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• At least one year as a Lead or 4 years as a Family Advocate for a HUD RRH or PSH Housing Program.
• Two years or more providing case management. Bachelor’s Degree in social sciences or related field preferred but not required.
• Experience with crisis intervention, community networking and resource development.
• Experience delivering services using Assertive Engagement techniques (Strength Based services, Motivational Interviewing, Assertive outreach).
• Bilingual preferred but not required.
• General computer and word processing skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point) and willingness to learn other computer/data entry skills.

TRANSPORTATION

Possession of a valid driver’s license, clean driving record and reliable transportation required. Vehicle insurance coverage limits must be $100,000 bodily injury liability for one person, $300,000 bodily injury liability for all people in an accident and $100,000 property damage liability.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Current Oregon Driver’s License and current automobile insurance.

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and distance vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

TO APPLY

Please send resume with cover letter and contact information (Name, phone and email) for three professional references to Jaime Johnson via the ADP Career Center.

Human Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We strive to build a diverse workforce that reflects the population we serve. We strongly encourage people of color to apply for this position.