Allegheny Link Service Coordinator (Closes 8/17)

About the role

If hired for this position, you would be an employee of our partner agency, Community Family Advocates, working onsite at Allegheny County DHS. This professional service coordinator position sits within the Office Community Services for the Allegheny County Department of Human Services.

Responsibilities

• Meet with individuals and families in person at the Human Services Building to work to support with services and supports to meet their needs
• Respond to phone inquiries from individuals and families to determine through open conversation and informal needs assessments what immediate needs the clients have and assists with addressing those needs
• Engage with individuals, families, and professionals with dignity and respect and in a way in which they are comfortable to ensure a positive and inclusive experience
• Sets up innovative approaches to meet the unique needs of those we support
• Supports and provides supportive listening and/or crisis intervention as individuals and families present in varying levels of crisis (over the phone or in person)
• Provides information and guidance on homeless and housing services and supports
• Obtains HUD required Coordinated Entry data
• Completes the Allegheny Housing Assessment (AHA) in a collaborative conversation with individuals and families
• Ensures individuals and families are knowledgeable on how to move forward in their housing plans
• To provide preliminary eligibility screening for other publicly and privately funded programs in addition to the presenting need
• Edits and educates on program options available and next steps needed with planning for success with those options
• Advocates on an individual’s behalf and, when appropriate, assists individual to empower themselves to advocate on their own behalf
• Serves as an expert clearing house on resources and services
• Advocates on a system level to ensure timely access to services and supports for individuals and families and at times acts as a liaison between CoC providers to ensure connections
• Aids in and/or provides crisis intervention with follow-up (including, but not limited to mandated child abuse and adult abuse reporting); appropriately implements mandated reporting policies and procedures
• Aids in completing benefit/program related paperwork
• Follows up for client contact as needed and appropriate
• Maintains HMIS with all client related activities
• Participates in staff meetings, trainings and other related events as a resource specialist representing DHS OCS
• Identifies and communicates opportunities to improve processes and services, including need trends and gaps in service for continuous improvement

Requirements

• A passion for ending homelessness
• An embracing “whatever it takes” attitude toward meeting the needs of people served
• The ability to acquire a thorough understanding of all local, state and federal health and human services programs with an emphasis on resources often utilized by people overcoming housing crises
• The ability to quickly establish rapport and trust with persons served coming from incredibly diverse life experiences
• The ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• The ability to build positive partnerships with a wide range of individuals and organizations
• The ability to learn and utilize web-based and PC software and email to develop reports and document services provided
• The ability to manage time and work well under pressure, while maintaining confidentiality and professional conduct
• The ability to organize time and work well under pressure of a fast-paced office environment, while maintaining confidentiality and professional conduct

Qualifications

• A master’s degree in a field of study related to social services
• -OR- A bachelor’s degree in a field of study related to social services with at least two (2) years’ experience of field work related to social services

Skills and Abilities

• A passion for ending homelessness
• An embracing “whatever it takes” attitude toward meeting the needs of people served
• The ability to acquire a thorough understanding of all local, state and federal health and human services programs with an emphasis on resources often utilized by people overcoming housing crises
• The ability to quickly establish rapport and trust with persons served coming from incredibly diverse life experiences
• The ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• The ability to build positive partnerships with a wide range of individuals and organizations
• The ability to learn and utilize web-based and PC software and email to develop reports and document services provided
• The ability to manage time and work well under pressure, while maintaining confidentiality and professional conduct
• The ability to organize time and work well under pressure of a fast-paced office environment, while maintaining confidentiality and professional conduct
• A strong understanding of the principles of Harm Reduction, Trauma-Informed Care, and Housing First
• The ability to implement services guided by these principles
• The ability to work independently as well as part of a high-performance team of professionals with an office culture of cohesive teamwork and respect
• The ability to efficiently manage time and work well under pressure of a fast-paced office environment, while maintaining confidentiality and professional conduct

Benefits

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER -M/F/V/D