Intake and Support Specialist

The Intake and Support Specialist position supports and executes activities to support the implementation of the Albany County/City Pilot Program. Activities fall within three categories: 1) coordination with the Street Outreach team to provide direct client services; 2) coordination with the Housing Stability Case Navigators to ensure the connection to Permanent housing to reduce recidivism to homelessness to include maintaining a caseload of housed individuals. 3). care coordination and support service referrals and individualized service plan development. The Health and Housing Intake and Support Specialist position provides effective coordination of program participant services and engages and encourages participation of key systems partners.

  ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Engage with program participants referred to the program by Outreach Teams.
• Maintain contact with referrals as they are awaiting assignment to Pre-Housing Navigation services.
• Engage with case load of housed individuals minimum of once per week and 2 home visits per month.
• Engage community partners that have connected with unsheltered participants to assist with reaching the goal of safety and housing readiness.
• Work with Business owners, jails, hospitals, shelters and community programs to build rapport and connection of advocates.
• Develop a relationship with newly enrolled program participants, maintain constant contact, and be responsible for warm handoffs to the Behavioral Health Systems Care Coordinator who will ensure care coordination for substance abuse and mental health treatment.
• Ensure consistent contact and coordination with Behavioral Health Systems Care Coordinator to ensure chain of contact is achieved.
• Coordinate with Coordinated Entry Specialist to track participants’ services.
• Attend monthly Systems Meeting to engage with providers and partners to achieve open communication and dialogue regarding the population of unsheltered homeless.
• Attend Case Review meetings with internal team to discuss needs for population.
• Maintain effective, cooperative working relationships both internally and externally.
• Work independently and maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Work additional hours as needed to support time-sensitive work.
• Perform other duties as required by the Executive Director, Operations Director, Director of Special Initiatives, and Albany Navigates Program Lead.
• Adapt to changing work priorities and a fast-paced environment while maintaining a professional attitude.

EXPERIENCE

Three (3) years minimum working experience in any of the following fields: Homeless services, Urban Planning, Affordable Housing, Grassroots Community Development, or Policy/Advocacy.

EDUCATION

• Associate degree required.
• 3 years’ relevant experience may be substituted for degree.

Additional Education or Certification:

N/A

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• A passion to work with communities to prevent and end homelessness.
• Excellent verbal communication and rapport-building skills required.
• Excellent written communication skills required.
• Excellent organizational skills, strong attention to detail, and a high level of integrity and confidentiality are required.
• Creativity and demonstrated problem-solving ability.
• Proficiency in word processing, desktop publishing, creating spreadsheets, proofreading and data compilation.
• Filing, photocopying and record keeping.
• Access to reliable transportation required.

TRAVEL

• Within the County and City of Albany

LOCATION

5 Pine West Plaza Suite 503 Albany, NY 12205

WORK WEEK

Full-time role, 40 hours per week.

Hours: 11 am-7 pm Monday-Friday

POSITION CLASSIFICATION

Non-Exempt

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. An equivalent combination of education and experience which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed above may be substituted for the above education and experience requirements. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.