Prevention Specialist Family Homelessness Prevention

Job Title: Prevention Specialist

Department: Family Homelessness Prevention

Reports to: Program Manager

Status: Non-Exempt

Salary Range: $52,000 - $55,000 annually

This job description provides a general guideline to the most common duties, responsibilities, and minimum requirements for this position. It is not all-inclusive, and the actual position may vary as circumstances indicate or as determined by the organization. Working hours are primarily Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, some evenings, weekends, and holiday hours as needed.

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

Everyone Home DC’s Family Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) supports families at risk of experiencing homelessness through mediation, flexible financial assistance, and connections to community resources with the end goal of preventing a period of homelessness. The Prevention Specialist will provide comprehensive case management services to families of Everyone Home DC’s HPP by providing diversion and mediation services, case coordination, connections to public benefits, rental and utility assistance, housing search support, budgeting, connections to housing programs, connections to mental health services (as needed), and referrals to community partners. This position must be filled by an individual who has a passion for social justice work, is a team player, and is committed to working with people to obtain and remain in stable housing.

Principal Duties:

• Manage a revolving, high-volume caseload of families who are at risk of experiencing homelessness.
• Provide comprehensive case management services to customers both virtually and in-person.
• Conduct intake and follow-up meetings, including administering assessment and triage tools.
• Develop comprehensive housing stability plans by working with families to assess needs, set goals, and implement strategies to meet goals.
• Provide diversion and mediation services, case coordination, connections to TANF and other public benefits, flexible financial assistance, rent and utility assistance, housing search support, budgeting, connection to housing programs, connection to mental health services (as needed) and referrals to community partners.
• Regularly track and report on the progress of families’ goals in HMIS.

• Assess the needs of the families on your caseload/client needs, and make referrals as appropriate.
• Input client data, case notes, and upload relevant documents into Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
• Close cases in a timely manner.
• Assist in processing lease agreements with landlords, families, and contractors when needed.
• Actively network with community service providers and other partner agencies to locate programs and resources to make community-based referrals, including financial resources referrals.
• Maintain a resource library for clients.
• Assist with daily and weekly data reporting.
• Participate in weekly team meetings, bi-weekly staff meetings, and weekly supervision
• Carries out all duties consistent with grant requirements and internal policies and procedures.

Secondary Duties:

• Provide administrative and program support in the following areas: intake, client wellness, community building, documentation, and special projects.
• Attend all relevant internal and external program meetings, as well as Everyone Home DC staff meetings.
• Participate in and attend ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
• Other relevant duties as assigned.

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS:

Essential Training/Certifications:

• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in a relevant humanities, social science, or related field, or four years of relevant social service experience.
• Minimum of 1 year of relevant experience working with individuals or families experiencing homelessness or poverty.
• Crisis management experience is preferred.

Essential Use of the Following Tools:

• Ability to learn computer software programs to enter and maintain accurate data/information in appropriate platforms, including the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Suite/Drive
• Proficiency with standard office equipment: phone system, copier/printer, fax, scanner.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Familiarity and knowledge of DC’s social service providers and public benefits programs preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Exceptional ability to multitask and excellent organizational skills. This includes attention to detail, problem-solving, time management, and the ability to follow through on projects and meet deadlines.
• Strong professional boundaries.
• Excellent case management skills with a proven track record of success.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of highly sensitive information, and demonstrated professionalism, reliability, and responsibility.

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Essential Competencies and Behaviors:

• Ability to work in a team-oriented environment as well as independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong capacity to build relationships with a diverse range of clients, colleagues, and community members.
• Demonstrated respect for diversity based on race, class, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and gender presentation, and ability to work with a highly diverse group of clients and colleagues.
• Commitment to building your racial equity competencies and centering your role in an analysis and understanding of how race and power shape systems in our society and culture;
• Commitment to continuous learning, reflecting, and growing.
• Ability to operate with a commitment to excellence, integrity, diplomacy, and camaraderie.

Other requirements

• Ability to pass background checks, including FBI, MPD, home jurisdiction police department, and Alcohol, Drug, and TB screening as required by government contract.
• Able to handle physically demanding work, including lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs.

Benefits

Everyone Home DC’s standard benefits for full-time staff include: excellent employer-paid single coverage health insurance; dental and vision insurance; 401k retirement plan; employer-paid single coverage life insurance; short term disability; worker’s compensation; family medical leave; bereavement leave; jury duty leave; Metro SmartBenefits; annual funds for professional development training; 13 paid holidays; and generous paid time off including the week between December 25th and January 2nd.

Location

This is a position based at Everyone Home DC’s offices located at 415 2nd Street NE. This role is in-person, five days per week.

Everyone Home DC values diversity in our workplace and encourages Black, Indigenous, People of Color, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community and people with disabilities to apply.

This position is available immediately. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please send a cover letter and resume to jobs@everyonehomedc.org. Indicate "Homelessness Prevention Specialist" in the subject line.

Only complete applications will be accepted. No phone calls, please.

Benefits

Everyone Home DC’s standard benefits for full-time staff include: excellent employer-paid single coverage health insurance; dental and vision insurance; 401k retirement plan; employer-paid single coverage life insurance; short term disability; worker’s compensation; family medical leave; bereavement leave; jury duty leave; Metro SmartBenefits; annual funds for professional development training; 13 paid holidays; and generous paid time off including the week between December 25th and January 2nd.