Position Title:          Initial Response Specialist

Reports to:                Director of Client Services/Family Promise of Tualatin Valley

Hours:                           Full Time hourly, Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm

Compensation:     $20-23 DOE, Paid time off, medical insurance, paid holidays

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Position Summary:   Are you a compassionate and dynamic professional with experience in family and adult-only homeless services and have knowledge of resources in Washington County? Come join our team! The Initial Response Specialist is a critical first point of contact for those on the edge of homelessness. A standardized initial response assessment is administered to evaluate household needs and referrals are made to the appropriate program either inside FPTV or to a community partner with the goal of connecting folks to services needed ASAP to reduce the trauma associated with calling multiple agencies to receive assistance. Case management is provided for Prevention and Diversion cases within this position as is contact with graduate households as part of our Graduate Services programming.

 

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

 

Initial Response Specialist

• Serve as the first point of contact for callers to FPTV

• Demonstrate proficient knowledge base of FPTV programs and local resources

• Field and evaluate sometimes urgent and emotional calls with quick connections for assistance

• Manage rental assistance program

• Assist school district McKinney-Vento liaisons and counseling staff to support families and students in Prevention and Diversion cases

• Understand and initiate intake procedures, eligibility guidelines and policies, case and client record keeping procedures and implement as appropriate

• Maintain FPTV databases and enter data into the HMIS system

• Administer Community Connect assessments

• Manage waitlists and advise team on emergency situations

• Assist with budget planning for Prevention, Diversion and Graduate programs

• Check in with graduates as part of FPTV’s 12-month Graduate services program

• Coach clients in basic budgeting skills, employment services and have the ability to teach the Rentwell program to FPTV clients

 

Case Management

 

• Develop individual case plans with clients to prevent homelessness or divert shelter stays with the goal of stable housing. Identify a case plan to assist clients in reaching their goals and empower them to succeed.

• Assist clients with social service referrals and connections to community resources to help ensure self-sufficiency and stabilization.

• Evaluate needs and schedule client workshops as needed, i.e., financial literacy, employment training, Rentwell.

• Schedule weekly case management sessions with clients and check in several times each week to gauge progress. Maintain confidential client records.

• Assist some clients in the rehousing process including submitting rental applications.

• Review cases weekly with Director of Client Services and participate in weekly case- conferencing meetings with FPTV team.

• Contact graduates at prescribed intervals to check on their stability and community resource needs.

• Maintain data on all client interactions.

 

Day Center/Office

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• Work out of the FPTV Day Center four days per week with an option to work remotely one day per week.

• May work out of the TTSD Resource Center in Tigard four hours weekly to meet with McKinney-Vento families.

• May share in operational tasks of Day Center, i.e., opening and closing, accepting donations or deliveries, etc.

• Participate in staff meetings, attend occasional meetings with community partners, monthly training sessions, and special events.

• May represent FPTV at community meetings and events when requested.

 

Education and Experience Desired

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• BA Degree in Social Work or Psychology or an AA with additional 2 years of applicable work experience.

• Experience working with families and individuals experiencing homelessness highly desirable.

 

Skills Required

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• Bilingual (English/Spanish) highly preferred for this position 

• Excellent communication skills

• A high-level of empathy and sensitivity is required along with an ability to practice self-care

• Strong computer skills and ability to learn computer programs and systems; well versed in Microsoft Office Suite programs and Google based programs

• Knowledge of local government and social service programs desirable

• Must be detail oriented with good planning and organization skills

• Excellent time management skills required

• Strong ability to juggle multiple incoming tasks with flexibility and prioritize appropriately

• Ability to work through distractions

• Proven counseling/problem solving skills and ability to work effectively in a team with a wide range of people; ability to develop a comfortable, trusting relationship with clients through an equity lens

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and complete tasks on time

 

Physical and Environmental Factors

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The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Sitting for extended periods of time at a computer station

• Answering/speaking on phones throughout the day

• Lifting and carrying lightweight supplies and equipment (occurs infrequently)

• Lifting and carrying medium weight supplies and equipment (occurs seldom to often)

• Able to work with some workplace distractions

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If interested, please send your resume to rose@familypromiseoftv.org.