Coordinated Access Specialist

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICE PROGRAMS:

The Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) creates and coordinates services that enhance the quality of life for Cambridge residents. Driven by the needs of residents, DHSP’s extensive services and programs touch almost every sector in the city: from newborns to senior citizens, from school-aged children to homeless families, from non-profit organizations to local employers.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Reporting to the C-CAN Program Manager, the Specialist will serve a key function within the collaborative, multi-agency Cambridge Coordinated Access Network (Cambridge CAN or C-CAN), both directly administering assessments to clients at intake, and serving on a team of dedicated C-CAN staff working to organize and coordinate assessments, referrals, and communications among partners. This role focuses on the outreach and beginning stages of the housing process and works collaboratively with the C-CAN team to help guide clients through the greater C-CAN pipeline. The Specialist triages individuals in the homeless population and helps support their varied needs. They will be the community-facing arm of the C-CAN team and should be seen as a resource to our residents both unhoused and housed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Coordinated Access Specialist will work on a team of one other Specialist and the C-CAN Program Manager. Many of the duties and the responsibilities will be shared within the team and redistributed as needed to ensure successful function of the Coordinated Access Network.

The Coordinated Access Specialist’s specific duties include, but are not limited, to the following:

• Administer the Cambridge CAN suite of intake, screening, assessment, and referral tools to new clients presenting at the Cambridge Multi-Service Center and other community sites.
• Respond to phone inquiries and walk-ins, referring clients to appropriate services and assessment points as needed.
• Maintain strong knowledge of relevant homeless-specific and mainstream resources to support a wide range of client needs and maintain resource guides that help spread this information widely
• Function as subject matter expert for local shelter and homeless-specific providers, making sure that information is up to date and available to team members.
• Support data collection, entry and integrity efforts across the Continuum of Care (CoC), the group of municipal and nonprofit partners designed to promote a community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness. May be tasked with large data projects when necessary.
• Participate in outreach efforts to community members who are experiencing homelessness multiple times a week at a regular cadence.
• Contribute to CoC-wide strategic/planning efforts by participating in meetings and technical discussions. Bring new ideas and approaches to creative thinking sessions.
• Provide internal technical assistance to Coordinated Access partner agencies on intake, assessment, and prioritization.
• Participate in meetings between C-CAN partner agency staff, including a weekly case conference and operational or program evaluation check-ins.
• Serve as liaison between C-CAN and relevant provider and community partners, including responding promptly to inquiries by phone and email.
• Actively work to improve the level of system access for the full diversity of people who are homeless and at risk of homelessness in Cambridge, as well as to promote a low-barrier Housing First orientation that values equity.
• Develop and carry out outreach strategies to promote Coordinated Access within the CoC and the wider community, including, coordinating events and attending community meetings.
• Improve marketing efforts digitally and in print to increase community awareness and education around C-CAN program and related resources.
• Build close working relationships with shelter agencies and maintain strong communication with their outreach and staff leadership.
• Build document libraries and trainings for housing navigation resources and support community knowledge on important procedures to collect vital documents.
• Purchase and track outreach supplies, keeping an up-to-date inventory and adhering to departmental fiscal procedures.
• Actively participate in the Department’s Race and Equity Initiative.
• Other duties as assigned.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree required or equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Minimum of five years in human/homeless services.
• Experience coordinating a multi-partner initiative or project.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong organizational and administrative skills.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills.
• Strong computer literacy skills.
• Self-starter attitude and time management skills.
• Crisis intervention skills, including the ability to assist clients in challenging situations and to support staff in their ability to provide assistance.
• Ability to exercise mature judgment in complex situations.
• The City of Cambridge’s workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working directly with people experiencing homelessness strongly preferred, as well as work in a diverse setting.
• Knowledge of Cambridge and surrounding communities helpful.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, WORKING CONDITIONS, AND ACCOMMODATIONS:

• Ability to access, input and retrieve information from a computer.
• Ability to answer phones and maintain multiple files.
• Ability to lift a minimum of at least 10 lbs.
• Ability to travel to meetings within the city.
• Be comfortable to work primarily in a standard office environment with moderate noise level, telephones, personal computers, printers, and other office equipment.
• This position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City’s Telework Policy depending on operational needs.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:

• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Vacation and Sick leave eligible
• Paid parental leave
• Sick Incentive Pay Eligible
• 3 Personal days
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Management Allowance
• City employee commuter benefits (T-Pass reimbursement Bluebikes membership, EZRide Shuttle membership)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the below documents to complete your application:

• Resume
• Cover Letter