Housing Program Supervisor Behavioral Health Outreach Team BHOT

SCHEDULE: 40 hours, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., evenings and weekends as needed

Pays $67,000 annually

LOCATION: 105 Chauncy St, and 444 Harrison Ave, Boston MA

JOB DESCRIPTION:

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION:

The Housing Program Supervisor (HPS) is responsible for planning, assigning, reviewing, supervising and managing the BHOT work and day-to-day activities of housing program workers responsible for providing complex pre- housing preparation services to clients. This position will have direct oversight of the targeted housing focus with, STH list, CAS Matches, and housing stabilization services.

Responsible for the effective advising of support staff to include performance management employee relations, training and development, and prioritizing and assigning housing work and related activities; participates in the development or revising of housing program policies and procedures

The HPS position will provide supervision, support, and direction to four (4) stabilization workers as their direct report. BHOT department, being a focal point of this person’s role/responsibility. Coordination of all housing with case managers and clinicians in the BHOT department will be a focal point of the HPS position. The HPS position will be the liaison with internal partners PMH, RRH programs, the Director of Landlord Engagement, and external partners the Mayor’s Office of Housing Stability, Boston Housing Authority, and MBH.

The HPS position during extreme weather alerts, at times will be on the streets with the teams and devoting time to stabilization of clients housed during these episodes of inclement weather. The incumbent will maintain client records in Clarity and HMIS and will meet or exceed program outcomes related to triage, diversion, recovery, housing, asset development and self-sufficiency of the unsheltered homeless. The HPS will work within a best practice framework of Harm Reduction, Trauma-Informed Care and Housing First principles.

The HPS will work with the Associate Director of BHOT and the Director of Outreach as a resource to the Outreach Team to achieve program goals, work with management to develop and implement appropriate policy and procedures, as well as ensure excellence in data quality for the program. The HPS will work with the team to ensure exceptional customer service both internally and externally and will work in partnership with the Triage team as well as other Emergency Services and Housing Department staff to provide integrated service delivery which furthers our mission to eliminate homelessness.

The Housing Program Supervisor will work from the following principles:

Shelter is a temporary safety net, not a home.

All individuals experiencing homelessness, regardless of their housing history and duration of homelessness, can achieve housing stability in permanent housing.

Never warehouse or institutionalize individuals in our shelters.

Sobriety, compliance in treatment, or a clean criminal history is not necessary to succeed in housing. Rather, homelessness programs and housing providers must be “Housing First”.

Leverage strengths, assets, and connections to move quickly individuals off the street, out of shelters to any other safer place or housing.

Recognize the impact of violence and victimization on development and coping strategies.

Employ an empowerment model.

Maximize choices and control over recovery based in a relational collaboration.

Create an atmosphere that is respectful of the individuals need for safety, respect and acceptance.

Emphasize the strengths, highlighting adaptations over symptoms and resilience over pathology.

Minimize the possibilities of re-traumatization.

Strive to be culturally competent and to understand each person in the context of his or her life experiences and cultural background.

REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION/TRAINING:

Bachelor’s Degree and two (2) years’ experience in human services or, two (2) years of college and four (4) years ‘human services experience

Experience in housing search/coordination of housing services

Computer literacy in Microsoft Office products

PREFERRED:

Valid Massachusetts driver’s license in good standing

KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE:

Minimum of two (2) years substance abuse or mental health counseling experience

Experience in the utilization of Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, Trauma-Informed Care and Stages of Change

Experience in housing acquisition/coordination of housing services

Working Knowledge of Housing First and Rapid Rehousing principles

Experience in client assessment, trauma informed care, motivational interviewing, negotiation, household budgeting, and housing/community referrals, case management and service planning

Knowledge of the issues related to homelessness and housing

Working knowledge of human services systems, housing subsidy programs and homeless referral networks

Knowledge and experience providing case management services to a complex and vulnerable population.

Ability to effectively work with area crisis programs and homeless persons struggling with the challenges of trauma and a psychiatric crisis

Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills

High degree of cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively with diverse populations and situations

High standards of accuracy and attention to detail

knowledge, sensitivity and cultural competency around issues related to homelessness, trauma, mental illness, addiction, and diverse vulnerable populations

PREFERRED:

Familiarity with Clarity and HMIS systems

Experience accessing local housing opportunities and subsidy programs for homeless individuals

Two (2) or more years of leadership and/or supervisory experience

Experience navigating systems of housing and care for homeless individuals

Experience speaking/presenting in front of medium to large size groups

Knowledge of motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, housing first and change theory

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

PHYSICAL ABILITIES/SKILLS:

Ability to stand for extended periods of time

Ability to lift up to 25 pounds (assisting in physically lifting clients/containers)

Ability to stretch and bend

Ability to respond safely and quickly in case of emergency situations

Ability to travel to and access multiple sites on the streets and within the community

Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time and communicate by telephone

Ability to walk two (2) miles on the streets

Ability to operate 15 passenger van

MENTAL ABILITIES/SKILLS:

Ability to set limits fairly and consistently while maintaining appropriate boundaries

Ability to independently evaluate and respond to crisis situations

Ability to work effectively with persons who are struggling with severe and persistent mental illness and or co-occurring disorders

Ability to interface and coordinate services with multiple providers and multiple disciplines

Ability to view all guests as having strengths

Ability to maintain a solution focus in work

Highly developed interpersonal and effective communication skills

Highly developed professional boundaries and ethical standards

Ability to engage clients who appear homeless and may be resistant/weary of treatment and intervention

Ability to work independently, make sound judgments and respond appropriately in an emergency

Ability to function as part of an interagency/interdisciplinary team

Ability to accurately and positively represent the Outreach program to internal and external contacts

Ability to accurately enter and maintain data

Aligns actions and behavior with the needs, priorities, and goals of the organization

Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust and group identity

Fosters commitment and team spirit

Ability to perform multiple tasks and projects, manage time, and able to function well in a busy work setting

punctuality and good attendance

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

Acts as a liaison between internal PSI departments and external partners.

Actively participates in daily huddles and case conferences.

Aids with Coordinated Access System housing and service connections.

Works within a clinical and administrative supervision framework.

Provides high quality, culturally sensitive, client–centered outreach and engagement, assessment, crisis intervention and case management using best practices; motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care and harm reduction. Work with clients to create and implement client–centered, strength– based, individualized plans that have a housing & safety focus. These plans will be updated twice a year.

Maintain accurate written records and documentation in accordance with program standards including, but not limited to individualized plans, guest charts, incident reports, detailed case notes and referrals and third party billing, when applicable.

Maintain HMIS records in a timely and accurate fashion and contribute to annual progress reporting and program evaluation when needed.

Participate in Outreach team events and activities, contributing positively to daily huddles, case conferences and collaborations with third parties when appropriate.

Demonstrate initiative in exploring existing and potential resources through the development of positive working relationships with service providers.

Actively participate in referrals and aftercare/discharge planning to and from treatment programs when appropriate.

The Housing Program Supervisor is considered an essential employee.

Perform other additional assignments or projects as requested/directed by supervisor.

Other duties as assigned in order to meet the needs of the organization during the COVID-19 pandemic or other public health or weather emergency.

Apply At: https://www.pinestreetinn.org/careers