About Us:
At Dawning Family Services our mission is to embrace diverse families with children touched by housing instability or homelessness and support their transition to a safe and stable home. We create new beginnings by providing vital support services that assist parents and children in transitioning to permanent housing, fostering well-being and long-term stability and success.
Our pillars of service guide our vision of a community without homelessness where all families can live and thrive. Prevention reduces homelessness; Emergency Shelter provides immediate housing; Rapid Re-Housing offers rental and utility assistance; and Work for Success helps parents achieve income stability through career paths.
What we offer:
* Group health, vision, and dental coverage at affordable rates, along with family coverage if you choose to purchase it.
* 12 days of PTO per year with increases at 1, 2, 5, and 10 years. 13 paid holidays annually.
* Option to participate in the 401K plan with employer match.
* $15,000 in employee life insurance paid for by Dawning Family Services.
* Employee Assistance Program
* Supplemental group insurance plans at affordable rates.
SUMMARY: The Housing and Support Specialist will work with families experiencing homelessness or housing instability, providing comprehensive support services through Dawning Family Services’ shelter program, Children’s Board of Hillsborough County-funded hotel placements, and homelessness prevention services. Provide ongoing case management and stabilization support for families that the Housing and Support Specialist assisted in securing permanent housing through Rapid Rehousing or ASO funding.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
- Develop a family support plan for each client based on the family’s strengths and needs.
- Cultivate and manage ongoing collaborative relationships with early childhood, child welfare, behavioral health, legal, housing, and community partners to make necessary referrals and provide resources.
- Assist clients in identifying appropriate housing and complete housing inspections.
- Determine initial and ongoing eligibility for housing program.
- Explain rental assistance programs and corresponding policies and procedures.
- Maintain regular contact with clients for the duration of their participation in our programs through home visits and phone contacts for on-going case management and service planning to ensure housing stability.
- Complete documentation and procedures necessary to ensure client rental assistance is processed and payments are made in a timely fashion (i.e. landlords and utility companies).
- Communicate effectively and work collaboratively with colleagues across all departments, attend staff meetings, trainings, and staff development to ensure program and agency goals are met.
- Document services and maintain thorough and accurate client records and outcomes in data reporting systems and in hard copy files. Track, monitor, and report on outcomes and achievements.
- Assist clients in applying for cash assistance, WIC, food stamps, housing, childcare services and others as needed.
- Assist in mediation with landlords, family members, and/or friend to assist families in maintaining housing.
- Adhere strictly to policies which ensure participant confidentiality.
- Prepare for and participate in case reviews with the Interdisciplinary Team.
- Participates in and supports the agency’s performance and quality improvement processes.
- Network and maintain on-going relationships with landlords and rental agents to help families find housing.
- Contribute to shared team responsibilities, including unloading donations and organization.
- Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, psychology, or other related fields from an accredited institution preferred. Associates degree with relevant experience.
- Case management experience preferred, but not required.
- Demonstrated sensitivity and ability in working with the diversity of the agency’s population, including but not limited to clients, staff, community partners, and board of directors.
- Manage a caseload; organize and prioritize work assignments; make decisions and independent judgments; determine the appropriate course of action in emergency or stressful situations; and recognize reportable events.
- Available to work some evenings and Saturdays and schedule visits according to participants needs.
- Ability to work in the office and in the field. (Please be advised: Position is NOT a hybrid/virtual role).
- Professional, self-directed, high-energy can-do attitude, follow-through on projects, and prompt responsiveness to internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong communication, organizational and time management skills, compassion, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
- Computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook), Microsoft 365 web-based applications and using internet search engines and other online research tools.
- Ability to walk, stand, climb stairs, kneel, bend, reach, and manipulate objects; lift and move materials up to 10 pounds on a regular basis; infrequently require moving materials weighing up to 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
- Frequent travel throughout Hillsborough County. Must have a reliable car, active auto insurance, registration, and valid Florida driver’s license.
- Successfully complete a Level 2 criminal background check, motor vehicle records check, and drug screening. For information on the Level 2 background check, please visit the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse Education and Awareness website: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/.
Pay: $21.10 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Mileage reimbursement
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
