SUPPORT SPECIALIST - METROPOLITAN HOUSING ACCESS PROGRAM (MHAP)

Housing Counseling Services, Inc. seeks an energetic self-starter to provide support and referral services to households seeking financial and housing assistance in the D.C. Metropolitan region.

Responsibilities:

• Function as the “frontline” personnel assisting applicants and case managers who apply for housing and/or financial assistance via Housing Opportunities for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (HOPWA) and Ryan White services;
• Professionally operate a multiline phone system when assisting the general public;
• Accurately respond to program emails when assisting the general public;
• Provide referrals to those seeking various community support services;
• Assist with the review and the processing of documentation submitted for financial and housing assistance;
• Assist MHAP Eligibility Specialist and MHAP Case Managers with meeting all program reporting requirements;
• Maintain electronic filing system for clients;
• Update and maintain client database;
• Provide follow-up assistance to clients in preparation of appointments;
• Maintain accurate written and computer based files;
• Provide accurate and complete monthly reports;
• Perform other HCS tasks as requested

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work independently and as a team player exercising mature judgment;
• Highly motivated self-starter with an ability to multi-task and meet deadlines;
• Must have excellent problem-solving skills and able to develop innovative solutions;
• Experience providing supportive services to at-risk populations;
• Ability to respond to multiple needs with patience and diligence;
• Must demonstrate the ability to communicate with a variety of professionals as well with low- and moderate-income households from a variety of cultures;
• Must maintain and execute confidential information;
• Strong oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to translate technical information into layman’s terms;
• Sensitivity to the needs within the community and to individual clients;
• A minimum of combined higher education and/or professional experience totaling at

least 4 years to support the position requirements;

• Strong computer skills;
• Bi-lingual is a plus

Housing Counseling Services, Inc. Current Benefits

Sick and Annual Leave which both initially accrue at 4.5 hours per pay period (annual leave accrual increases after some time at HCS)

Birthday Holiday (taken on the day of your birthday OR must be used within 30 days of your birthday)

4% (of salary) contribution to a Lincoln Alliance 403(b) tax deferred plan after 6 months of service;

Long-Term Disability and Life & AD&D Insurance Policies with Lincoln Financial Group (no cost to the employee)

Paid Holidays (following DC government holiday schedule)

Voluntary Benefits, vision, term life insurance, short-term disability, critical illness, group accident and hospital indemnity these benefits are paid 100% by the employee.

HCS CONTRIBUTION FOR HEALTH INSURANCE

HCS has Reference Health Plan – Care First BCBS Blue Choice HAS/HRA Bronze Silver $6,100 that is the basis for the HCS contribution towards health insurance coverage for employee’s ONLY. HCS will pay 100% of the employee’s coverage for this Reference Plan and this same dollar amount may be applied to any of the 60+ BCBS health plans you may select on the DC Health Exchange. As the cost of coverage is different for every employee (as it is based on age). You may select individual coverage as well as coverage for your eligible family members, you will be responsible for paying for your family member’s health insurance. The HCS contribution remains the same whether you select individual or family coverage. HCS cannot contribute to the cost of employee health insurance that is not part of the HCS account through the DC Health Exchange.

HCS CONTRIBUTION FOR DENTAL

HCS offers dental and vision coverage (vision is voluntary), through Lincoln Financial Group, HCS will contribute 100% of employee’s individual coverage ONLY for the LFG dental plan. If you choose not to use our health insurance, you may apply the full amount of the HCS health insurance contribution towards family coverage for dental insurance only.