Job Title: Community Engagement Housing Specialist
Department: Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)
Classification: Non-Exempt
Reports to: Team Lead or Assistant Director
Travel Requirement: Telework Capacity and travel in the areas of MD, VA, DC and the Carolinas as needed.
Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas empowers self-reliance and inspires hope. As a church without walls, we do this through personalized housing, ministry, health, and human services that benefit vulnerable individuals, their families and the community. Founded in 1896 in Baltimore, MD by social reformers, Ballington and Maud Booth, we were one of the first of over 30 affiliates of Volunteers of America one of the nations largest and most comprehensive human services organizations.
Our founders envisioned a movement dedicated to reaching and uplifting the American people. On behalf of the organization, the Booths pledged to go wherever we are needed, and do whatever comes to hand. Their declaration continues to guide Volunteers of America's impact on Helping Americas most vulnerable.
Through a dedicated and committed team of more than 850 employees and thousands of volunteers, we provide critical care, support services and hope to thousands of people each year throughout Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia and the Carolinas. We firmly believe our employees drive the success of the organization. Through our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, we endeavor to attract, engage and retain qualified, diverse, compassionate individuals to join our journey and experience a work environment that offers challenging, stimulating and financially rewarding opportunities.
Outreach duties promotes programs and resources to homeless individuals in the community and performs a variety of services to encourage homeless individuals to participate in the SSVF program that enable them to obtain housing and or remain housed and stable.
Provide outreach support for SSVF Program and case management teams and act as an additional resource for Case Managers
Coordinate client outreach and landlord recruitment efforts for SSVF Program
Outreach Workers spend most of their time communicating, so communication skills are a must
Develops inter-agency relationships to enhance the referral processes
Serve as liaison with local landlords, community organizations and other potential agency resources
Coordinate and maintain good landlord/tenant relations
Facilitate and/or conduct outreach activities including presentations to service providers and potential landlords, community fairs, one on one engagement, and education on available housing resources
Attends and participates in public meetings and presentations to explain the SSVF program
Facilitates and encourages the exchange of information with local, county, and regional agencies
Facilitates the coordination of services with community partners, as assigned
Maintains and updates knowledge through conferences, seminars and in-service trainings as determined in consultation with SSVF leadership
Coordinate outreach efforts for the SSVF Program including but not limited to: establish an outreach plan to target the participants as outlined in the SSVF program guidelines, develop a set schedule to visit the VA, shelters, and other places that homeless and low-income families (Veterans) are likely to congregate, and develop communication/ updates with the VA and other key housing and community providers
Work with persons served, family members, collaborating housing agencies and professionals to establish SSVF services and additional resources
Travel to housing sites to engage landlords and property managers, etc via recruitment efforts, distributing brochures, flyers, and other program marketing items
Communicate effectively (under confidentiality rules) with clients service team with services or supports regarding SSVF program services and housing
Ensure participant category reassessments are completed according to specific SSVF requirements
Participate in program and professional supervision, attend required staff
Team meetings and trainings, and contribute to team-based collaborative planning
Complete all appropriate reporting for SSVF goals and targeting
Complete other duties as needed and requested
Assist low-income Veteran households with identifying and obtaining or retaining safe, stable and affordable permanent housing. Outreach to rental-property owners and other resources in the community. Establish a pool of rental properties in our service areas to then rapidly rehouse homeless Veterans as well as their families. Work with landlords to negotiate rent or move-in deposits on behalf of the Veteran household.
Establish positive community and landlord relationships that will foster successful placements and housing stability in the SSVF program.
Provide engagement efforts that will meet targeted goals for the program and community recognition and growth of the organization.
Operational efficiency, service delivery and financial performance will be improved.
A High School Diploma or GED with previous work experience is required.
A minimum of 2 years experience working with homeless individuals and families including veterans is preferred.
Veteran or member of a veteran family is a plus.
This position requires driving your personal vehicle for company business. Must be privileged to drive according to the criteria set forth by Agency MVR guidelines.
Valid drivers license in jurisdiction of residence
Vehicle liability coverage if driving personal vehicle (on occasion, may be required to transport clients in personal vehicle)
May be required to drive a van
Acceptable Criminal background check, OIG Exclusion check
CPR/First Aid Certification must be acquired and maintained once employed
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must be organized, professional, and able to work independently as well as possess problem solving and active listening skills
Nonjudgmental attitude towards people who are homeless or at risk, alcohol or other drugs and/or struggle with mental health problems and or other disabilities
Verbal, written, and reading fluency in English
IT/technology skills with ability to learn new program processes and maintain functional Outlook Calendar, mobile phone, email, etc.
Computing skills including familiarity with Microsoft Office and the use of the internet
Ability to work well within a team
Willingness to be flexible and assist with various tasks as assigned
Familiarity with the community and resources in those communities that are assigned.
The physical requirements described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.
The ability to safely operate a motor vehicle to transport oneself, consumers, and program supplies as necessary.
The physical ability to travel to assigned locations, stand, stoop, bend, reach, pull, push, lift, grasp, climb, talk, see, hear and perform basic and light home maintenance activities, and operate office equipment.
Operating office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive hand/arm movements.
The ability to remain in a sitting position for extended periods of time
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
