Engagement Specialist

JOB SUMMARY:

The Engagement Specialist is responsible for welcoming clients into the program and completing the initial intake for emergency shelter services and also as the “front door” to the agency’s homeless crisis-response. Will work with a team of volunteers to ensure that the participants in the Emergency Overnight Shelter have a safe place to sleep and that their basic needs are met for the evening.             

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Intake, Engagement and Diversion

1. Provide orientation to individuals, couples and families seeking shelter services to the Emergency Shelter Program.
2. Complete intakes on new clients, identify special needs (i.e. physical limitations, underlying medical conditions) and enter all assessments into the agency’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
3. Performs assessments to determine a person’s immediate housing and un-housed situation; determine underlying issues and offer short-term solutions that may resolve their immediate housing crisis.
4. Assist people seeking services in articulating their needs. Coordinate with the Supportive Services Specialists to secure appropriate documentation to get clients on the By Name List and on the path to housing.
5. Assist clients who may have alternatives to entering the shelter system, navigate their alternatives to divert households from entering the Emergency Shelter
6. Triage and de-escalate persons in crisis and connect persons to appropriate emergency resources. Notify outreach specialists when clients missed shelter for more than three nights.
7. Serve as main contact with clients until clients are assigned a case manager.

Shelter Functions

1. Work with volunteers to ensure that shelter schedule is followed.
2. Read the shift log from the previous shift and complete a shift log at the end of the shift.
3. Complete incident report for unusual events that happened on the shift 
4. Ensure that clients do not loiter in front of shelter before shelter opens. 

Administrative

1. Provide a daily report to supervisor on calls received and recommendations for shelter and housing options.
2. Inform Shelter Manager of unusual events.
3. Have resources available to provide referrals to clients that are not admitted to shelter 

HOURS:

Part-time, evenings on a rotating schedule.

QUALIFICATIONS:

A bachelor’s in social work or related field preferred; may be substituted by experience.

Must have smartphone to utilize Agency communication and collaboration tools.

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Strong interpersonal skills
• Express ideas clearly and concisely both orally and in writing. Ability to problem-solve and make decisions in stressful situations.
• Professional boundaries with clients.
• Maturity in demeanor and positive attitude.
• Aptitude for management data and information.
• Crisis intervention skills
• Enjoys managing different levels of responsibilities and tasks of the program.
• Comfortable interacting with diverse groups of people (i.e. volunteers, shelter clients).
• Ability to think ‘on-your-feet’.
• Ability to work individually and as a member of a team.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and talk or hear, stand; walk; sit; use stairs; reach with hands and arms balance, stoop, kneel or crouch.

American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement: External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job specific functions (listed within each job responsibility) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by the organization on a case-by-case basis. 

Job descriptions are not intended and should not be construed to be all-inclusive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with a job. While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties from particular jobs and to assign other duties, as necessary. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

Housing Forward does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, citizenship, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, medical status, military status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, ancestry, or any legally protected status. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits and training. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, or disability.