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Problem Solving Specialist - Client Engagement

St. Joseph Center

Problem Solving Specialist - Client Engagement

Venice, CA
Full Time
Paid
  • Responsibilities

    Job Description

    Job Summary

    The Problem-Solving Specialist for the Homeless Service Center works with team members to provide services to homeless individual on the Westside of Los Angeles.  Problem solving is a short-term housing intervention that seeks to assist participants to maintain their current housing or identify an immediate and safe housing alternative within their own network of family, friends, and social support. 

    ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

    The Problem-Solving Specialist’s key areas of responsibility include: 

    • Act as the first point of contact for the Individual within the homeless solutions system. 
    • Screen all at-risk homeless Individuals referred through LA County 211 and SPA 5 homeless providers utilizing a standard prescreening triage tool.  Based on information gathered, the Problem-Solving Specialist will implement the immediate crisis housing plan including diversion to family and friends, placement in a shelter or transitional housing, and/or additional sources of assistance.
    • Engage in deliberate (or multiple) thoughtful and individualized conversation(s) that seeks to solve their immediate or near-term housing crisis.
    • Negotiate when needed with family, friends, and landlords to keep families out of the homeless system.
    • Utilize active listening, coaching, motivational interviewing, mediation, and conflict resolution with families/friends and/or landlords, connection to mainstream resources, housing search assistance, housing stabilization planning, and family reunification.
    • Connect Individuals to supportive services as needed including health, mental health, public entitlements, education, and vocational training.
    • Serve as an advocate or liaison for Individuals with community organizations.
    • Ensure that those households who do not have alternative housing options are quickly connected to existing emergency or crisis housing services to ensure immediate health and safety needs are met. 
    • Must complete HMIS and Problem-Solving training

    Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed are designed to provide typical examples of the work performed; not all duties and responsibilities assigned are included here, nor is it expected that all similar positions will be assigned every duty and responsibility.

  • Qualifications

    Qualifications

    KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

    • Must be highly motivated and a self-starter.  The ability to communicate with and relate to a diverse group of people including clients, community, and other staff.  Must have excellent administrative and organizational skills.
    • Knowledge of case management principles and intervention techniques specific to homeless populations or other under-served groups.
    • Knowledge of housing market/housing programs is desirable.
    • Familiarity with issues surrounding mental illness and substance abuse strongly preferred.
    • The position requires an ability to work flexible hours including some early mornings and evenings.
    • Bi-lingual Spanish/English is highly desirable.

    EXPERIENCE:

    • One year of experience providing homeless services or case management services with homeless and low-income families.

       

    EDUCATION:

    • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in social work, human services, psychology, or a related field.

    DIRECT REPORTS:

    • This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

    COMPUTER SKILLS:

    • Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and widely supported internet browsers.

    CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS:

    • Valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
    • Valid automobile liability insurance.

    TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

    • xxxx

    WORK ENVIRONMENT:

    The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

    PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

    The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, stoop, talk, hear, reach above and below shoulders; use hand and finger dexterity, keyboarding and making and receiving telephone calls. The employee may be required on occasion to lift and or carry up to 20 lbs.

    Additional Information

    Status: Full-Time/Exempt 

    Salary: DOE

    Employment with St. Joseph Center is contingent on completion of satisfactory background check.

    For consideration, please submit cover letter and resume. St. Joseph Center is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. All applicants for employment are invited to voluntarily self-identify their gender, race, ethnicity, and veteran status, by completing the EEO Information. Providing your EEO Information is voluntary and refusal to self-identify will not subject applicants to any adverse treatment. Similarly, applicants who do self-identify will not be subject to any adverse treatment based on the information they provide.

    St. Joseph center invites you to review the current "EEO is The Law" poster as part of the application process. A link to the current poster is located here.

     https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf