Diversion Specialist

Job Description

Title: Diversion Specialist

Reports to: Program Director

Employment Status: Full-time

Shift schedule: IWWCs (Taft and Crabbs Branch)

FSLA Status: Exempt

Pay rate: $52,000 - $64,000

POSITION SUMMARY

The Interfaith Works Women's Center (IWWC) is a housing-focused, low-barrier emergency shelter program for 37 adult women experiencing homelessness. The program provides a safe place for women to stay with meals, case management and housing location services. The goal of the program is to quickly move shelter clients to housing so that homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring. Under the supervision of both Program Directors, the Diversion Specialist's primary function is to empower persons facing imminent homelessness in identifying safe and appropriate housing options (other than the street/car/shelter), and to help them avoid a longer-term experience of homelessness, by rapidly returning to housing. The Diversion Specialist is expected to be on site at both Interfaith Works Women's Center Taft and Interfaith Works Women's Center Crabbs Branch. The diversion specialist will carry a combined case load of fourteen (14) clients that include eight (8) regular/diversion shelter clients, four (4) healthcare for the homeless clients and two (2) Adult Protective Services client. This position is full-time (40 hours per week) and the Diversion Specialist is expected to work during business hours and some evening hours.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Builds rapport with the IWWC community by being present and engaging shelter clients.
2. Conducts initial screening of callers seeking shelter to assess for shelter services and facilitates appointments for referrals and/or community resources.
3. Uses active listening skills and strength-based approaches to collaborate with clients in developing creative solutions to resolving their housing crisis.
4. Uses clinical skills and knowledge of behavioral health issues to mediate client concerns and de-escalate situations when necessary.
5. Makes appropriate referrals to programs and providers that address behavioral health, medical, legal, housing concerns, etc.
6. Uses motivational interviewing and client-centered approaches to engage clients and their social supports to develop housing-focused solutions.
7. Maintains data in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
8. Participates in appropriate meetings within Montgomery County's Homeless Continuum of Care and internally with Interfaith Works (including weekly supervision meetings, and appropriate staffing meetings).
9. Collaborates with other service providers to achieve optimal outcomes for all clients and shelter clients. Participates in regular clinical trainings.
10. Assist Program Director with bi-weekly Community Meetings
11. Conduct monthly housing seminars with Housing Coordinator
12. Other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES)

1. High school diploma or GED with some college required. Associates degree or bachelor's preferred.
2. Knowledge of behavioral health symptoms, family dynamics, human behavior, and issues related to homelessness preferred.
3. Able to working in a fast-paced program-serving people from diverse racial, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds.
4. Ability to develop a rapport quickly with clients and identify strengths in others.
5. Ability to work effectively as a team player.
6. Ability to manage multiple responsibilities efficiently.
7. Ability to work independently and with a team, collaborating with other Interfaith Works programs and departments.
8. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
9. Proficiency with Microsoft Windows and Office365, in addition to Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
10. Experience working with individuals with acute and chronic behavioral health concerns and knowledge of crisis intervention techniques.
11. Knowledge of (and/or willingness to learn and explore) community resources related to homelessness and housing.
12. Individuals with any relevant lived experience are encouraged to apply.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

NOTE

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.

TO APPLY

Interested candidates must submit a resume with their application to be considered. Applicants must apply through this link . Please send any questions about the application process to .

Interfaith Works is an equal opportunity employer which values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are committed to a continued focus on equitable hiring, training, promotional practices, and policies. We are a drug free workplace and comply with ADA regulations, as applicable.