Rapid Rehousing Specialist III

Salary
$44,957.00 – $52,135.00 Annually

Location
Hillsborough NC 27278, NC

Job Type
Time Limited

Job Number
224-2023-1406

Department
Housing

Opening Date
02/28/2024

Closing Date
3/14/2024 11:59 PM Eastern

General Description
The Orange County Housing Department has an opening for a Rapid Rehousing Housing Specialist III.  This is a permanent time-limited, fully benefited position. The work involves the responsibility of searching for orienting all eligible participants to housing programs and providing housing search and supportive services to promote participant self-sufficiency, integration into the community, and permanency in housing. An employee in this class is responsible for identifying and leveraging supportive services and mainstream benefits, providing community-based direct client services and landlord engagement and documenting using HMIS and other systems as required by funding sources.

Work is performed under the general direction of the Homeless Programs Coordinator with leeway to exercise independent judgment within the framework of applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures in the performance of duties, both in terms of planning and accomplishing work, and in making decisions regarding customer needs and requests and conducting project assignments. Supervision may be a responsibility of this class depending on the assignment. Position does related work as required.

* This is a safety sensitive position and participation in the Drug and Alcohol Program is required. Background Check is required.

Examples of Essential Functions
The following are examples of typical work activities and responsibilities.   The incumbent may be responsible for performing other related duties and responsibilities as required or assigned.  A position may not include all the work examples given, nor does the list include all that may be assigned.

• Performs administrative tasks involving the review and maintenance of a caseload of program participants.
• Conducts assessments of housing barriers of individuals and families experiencing homelessness to determine housing and service needs.
• Develops a housing procurement, financial, and self-sufficiency case management plan with clients which includes intake interviews to determine client needs, goals, and eligibility.
• Provides mediation and advocacy with landlords on the client’s behalf to develop a workable plan to obtain and or maintain housing.
• Assists participants in locating and securing housing of their choice.
• Creates and maintains consistent communication channels, both verbally and in writing between several parties (i.e., tenant, landlord, referral source, collaborating agencies, debtors, and creditors).
• Serves as an ongoing liaison between property managers and participants as well as between participants and neighbors.
• Provides information and referral assistance regarding available support from appropriate social service agencies and/or community programs.
• Assists in developing and encouraging adherence to a personal budget through pro-active housing and budget counseling sessions; providing budget counseling and education to clients in establishing payment plans and assisting clients in obtaining and maintaining their housing.
• Assists participants in development of a strength-based/solution-focused individualized goal and action plan that promotes permanent housing and self-sufficiency; develop an effective, timely referral network in order to ensure ongoing direction and support as needed.
• Identifies participant strengths and barriers to stability and assists participants to reducing barriers and linking to resources and services.
• Provides pro-active follow-up home visits to ensure stability and further progress towards self-sufficiency, including support, advocacy, reducing isolation, listening, problem solving, and identifying resources assisting with reintegration of participants in the community.
• Applies knowledge of residential lease contracts to educate clients about their rights and responsibilities.
• Maintains accurate daily logs records, monthly outcome reports, and files for each client.
• Transports clients when needed, limited to housing and job searches and occasional visits to relevant social service agencies.
• Collects and reports program data, including but not limited to HMIS reporting and required funding data.
• Uses computer applications or other automated systems such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, e-mail and database software in performing work assignments.
• Adheres to the department’s safety rules and regulations.

Full Performance of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of Federal, State and local laws, codes and policies concerning the provision of public assistance programs and their eligibility requirements.
• Thorough knowledge of interviewing procedures and practices.
• Good knowledge of current social, economic and health trends and services, and the ability to adapt trends to practical program applications and link clients with services needed.
• Good knowledge and belief in “Housing First” philosophy and strategies.
• Good knowledge or understanding of tenant’s rights and responsibilities as well as “strengths based” case management.
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of population served.
• Ability to empower others to solve their own problems and show conviction about the capacity of people to grow and change.
• Ability to establish and set appropriate limits with persons served to help them gain skills and confidence.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other personnel and/or service providers or professionals.
• Ability to acquire knowledge of other laws, codes and programs relative to the provision of human services.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to relate well with others under stressful conditions.
• Ability to read and understand moderately complex written information.
• Ability to gather, compile and evaluate information and records, prepare reports and make recommendations based on analysis of data collected.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to lead and guide the work of others.
• Ability to organize and consolidate information, maintains records, prepare reports, and complete assignments accurately and timely.
• Ability to specialize in the use of office automation equipment (including software) and act as a resource to others.
• Ability to effectively use computer applications such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, e-mail and database software.
• Ability to demonstrate sound judgment; integrity; resourcefulness; accuracy; thoroughness and the physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree AND two (2) years of work experience in counseling and/or work experience in providing housing supportive services; OR
• An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined above. A higher degree does not substitute for work experience.

Special Requirement

• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of North Carolina for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
• All offers of employment are conditioned upon successful clearance of a background check.
• Employment cannot commence until the employee has been cleared.

Physical Requirements and Possible Hazard

• Ability to physically perform (with or without reasonable accommodation) basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing and repetitive motions of the hands/wrists.
• Ability to perform sedentary work, exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, perform transcription, and operate a computer terminal.
• Workers are subject to inside environmental conditions.
• Emotional stress due to the nature of interactions with clients or service providers.

Orange County is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer