Housing Retention Specialist - WRAP - $26.25/hr

Title: Housing Retention Specialist Wage: $26.25 Hourly Shift: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Classification: Non-Exempt, Full-Time, Union Represented Location: Banfield Office Reports To: Wellness, Resilience, Advocacy & Preparedness (WRAP) Program Manager This position has an introductory probationary period of 90 days. THE POSITION: The Housing Retention Specialist (HRS) will assist vulnerable participants experiencing houselessness in their transition from shelter to permanent housing, and support them in ongoing housing retention. The Retention Specialist will collaborate with other Do Good programs' staff and community partners to assist participants as they navigate their first year of permanent housing. This position will be a part of a small Wellness, Resilience, Advocacy & Preparedness (WRAP) team who advocate for and engage in participants' overall health and well-being using strengths-based, housing first, and harm reductive models. The successful applicant will work with shelter teams and the WRAP Peer Support Specialist to assist participants with housing search and placement, program engagement, crisis intervention, and housing retention. THE PROGRAM: Do Good’s Wellness, Resilience, Advocacy & Preparedness (WRAP) team supports our participants as they transition from houselessness and further into independence. The process is squarely aimed at achieving stability in housing, income, health, and well-being, while also encouraging autonomy and self-determination. In this model of wrap-around support, collaborative specialist teams physically travel to newly re-housed individuals, eliminating the barriers of access and transportation. Once on site, they work collaboratively with our participants, empowering them as they accomplish their goals. HIPAA REQUIREMENTS: This position will have access to Protected Health Information (PHI) during the course of their work activities. Applying the minimum necessary standard of HIPAA, the designated record sets to which this position may have access include all sections of the medical record, patient demographic information in the practice management system, etc. This position is required to read the content of these records only to the extent needed to accomplish the assigned tasks. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Navigate the complexities of the Portland Metro region’s social, health, housing, and retention services. Develop comprehensive knowledge of community and housing resources. Maintain effective relationships with these resources to best meet participant needs. Conduct case management visits in participants' homes and in the community to support, engage, and educate participants in their own environments (often by oneself). Engage with your assigned caseload and advocate for residents' needs by assisting them with identifying their individual goals to thrive in permanent housing. Work with participants, property management, and fellow WRAP team members to develop housing support plans for eviction prevention purposes. Prepare and submit participants' monthly rent and utility assistance fund requests, and general assistance/maintenance requests as needed. Work closely with Peer Support Specialists to assist participants with tasks related to housing acquisition, including housing search and viewing, submission of applications, lease and compliance paperwork signing and obtaining furniture and household goods. Refer and assist participants with completing applications to ensure that they get access to a variety of community services and benefits, including employment, and mental and physical health services. Maintain accurate, up-to-date physical and electronic records utilizing the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and CaseWorthy to record services provided. Conduct and document program intakes and progress evaluations, enter and exit participants from the database, and perform regular reporting functions. Participate in ongoing, recurring community partner meetings for both Veterans and non-Veterans as appropriate. Support and engage with the Development Team and Program Managers at Do Good fundraisers, activities, and other events. Maintain consistent, clear, and respectful communication with all staff, relevant Management and Director team members, programs, and community partners. Adhere to all state and federal privacy and security regulations applicable to the program, and to Do Good Multnomah’s policies and agreements regarding confidentiality, privacy, and security. Perform additional duties as assigned.* This job description reflects the assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the potential tasks assigned and does not state or imply that these are the only duties performed. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by an authorized individual to give instructions or assignments. SKILLS & ABILITIES: Knowledge of procedures, techniques, and standards to optimize individual case management practice. Knowledge to effectively interpret and apply a variety of legal requirements and policy standards specific to fair housing and landlord tenant laws. Knowledge of and experience with addressing and supporting an escalated participant through proper and trauma-informed de-escalation and engagement techniques. Ability to maintain calm and compassion under pressure. Ability to use motivational interview techniques, strength-based advocacy, and trauma-informed care. Consistent, clear/direct, and compassionate communication with participants, staff, referrals, community partners, and vendors. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing. Demonstrated ability to work independently and complete tasks in a timely manner. Ability to organize multiple high-priority tasks in a fast-paced environment. Ability to recognize and analyze complex problems, identify solutions, and make informed decisions. Self-motivated and detail-oriented. Ability to maintain accurate, confidential records and information in an organized manner. Willingness to learn new skills, and ability to continuously and quickly learn, apply training instruction, and take constructive feedback. Ability to use motivational interview techniques, strength-based advocacy, and trauma-informed care. Ability to follow Do Good Multnomah’s policies and agreements regarding confidentiality, privacy, and security. Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with both participants and staff, including utilizing discernment to know what is appropriate to share and what is confidential. Ability to display a non-judgmental and non-biased attitude at all levels of the organization. Ability and willingness to engage in Do Good’s DEIA work at the full-staff, program-specific, and individual levels. Commitment to ongoing DEIA learning, growth and development. Ability and willingness to treat all co-workers and clients with respect and dignity, while being mindful of diverse ethnic backgrounds, religious views, political affiliations, cultural backgrounds, genders, and sexual orientations. Ability to effectively and compassionately collaborate with coworkers and clients from diverse backgrounds and identities.