Senior Housing, Outreach, and Support Specialist

Commonwealth Land Trust (CLT) Senior Housing, Outreach, and Support Specialist Location: Scattered sites in Boston

Company Overview
Commonwealth Land Trust, Inc. is dedicated to providing supportive, affordable housing for vulnerable populations, including formerly homeless individuals and low-income families. With a focus on ending cycles of homelessness through integrated housing and case management services, our organization serves diverse neighborhoods and communities.

Summary: The Senior Housing, Outreach, and Support Specialist (SHOSS) will identify and reach individuals who are experiencing homelessness and serious health concerns. This role's priority will be to oversee Housing, Outreach, and Support Specialists and to assess clients' housing needs and acuity of need, secure housing placements, and link clients to services, including stabilization services. The SHOSS will conduct persistent outreach to individuals who traditionally struggle to engage in services and link them with housing and health resources. This position will work with individuals who are experiencing mental health barriers, addiction, poverty, and have had difficulty maintaining appropriate and affordable housing. This position has the potential to include some nontraditional evening hours and weekend hours, which will be flexible based on staff and client needs.

Compensation: $65,000 to $75,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications. Full-time employees receive health, dental, and life insurance; optional 40lk; and very generous paid time off.

Required Experience and Skills

• Bilingual (Spanish) candidates will be prioritized.
• Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, or Mental Health discipline preferred, or equivalent professional experience may be substituted for a degree.
• Experienced and trained in social service provision and/or case management with experience working with populations similar to those we serve, including people with HIV, people struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, people living with mental health issues, and people experiencing homelessness.
• Comfortable engaging in outreach activities and able to build supportive relationships with at-risk individuals.
• Well-versed in addictions related issues, comfortable with harm reduction approach to clients, and know how to deescalate and/or manage high-stress situations appropriately.
• Able to work well independently, as well as in a team that includes supportive housing managers, medical case managers, administrative supports, outside social service providers, and community groups.
• Ability to work comfortably with people of varying racial/ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, language, and socio-economic differences.
• Well-organized and able to complete timely and accurate documentation related to services provided
• Able to lead program data collection and reports for various funders.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office products, excel, and electronic record systems.
• Strong commitment to agency mission of improving communities and ending homelessness through the vehicle of affordable, supportive housing programs.
• Individuals with lived experience of HIV/AIDS and co-occurring conditions, homelessness, and/or substance use history are encouraged to apply.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO)

• Provide supervisory support to Housing, Outreach, and Support Specialists regarding client engagement and documentation compliance.
• Manage program data, including data entry, organization, and presentation of data to leadership teams/funders to reflect the work of the Intake Department at CLT.
• Onboard and train new Housing and Outreach Support staff. This includes training in preparation to use EHR Clarity, completing mental health assessments, building CSP-HI files, referral processes, data collection, and more.
• Attend monthly managers' meetings with other CLT leadership. Incorporate the skills/knowledge acquired during these meetings/trainings into practice in the Intake Department.
• Work as a team with the Housing and Outreach Support Specialists and Director of Marketing and Outreach to collaborate on solutions and strategies for any department concerns or changes.
• The SHOSS will be required to work some non-traditional and flexible hours, including some nights and weekends to reach priority populations. 40-hour work week.
• Conduct extensive outreach and build relationships with individuals who are experiencing homelessness and are traditionally reluctant to engage in care
• Complete and track applications for various public and private housing opportunities in the community.
• Engage in active outreach to Boston Housing Authority, Metro Housing, and other housing resources to facilitate housing for clients.
• Assist clients to create a health team, including themselves, a medical case manager at CLT, primary care providers, mental health care and substance use/addictions treatment providers, and other important services within the continuum of care (COC).
• Engage clients in Harm Reduction interventions, including treatment planning, referrals for PrEP and PEP, safer substance use education, STI testing/safer sex education, and referrals to syringe exchange(s).
• Assist clients with treatment planning, scheduling appointments, arranging transportation, and appointment reminders.
• Host regular open houses to provide education about hosing resources and provide linkages to community services.
• Collaborate closely with CLT staff and other community agencies to identify at-risk individuals and address their needs.
• Complete all documentation of work in a timely manner and in compliance with funder expectations. Produce reports summarizing program outputs and outcomes.

Pay: $65,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person