Housing Retention Specialist – Encampment Resolution Project
New Beginnings Counseling Center Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
Housing Retention Specialist, Encampment Resolution Project
The Housing Retention Specialist for the New Beginnings’ Encampment Resolution Project will engage, assess, and assist eligible clients as referred by our Encampment Resolution Project, by partnering with clients to build skills and access resources and support systems necessary to maintain their housing. The Specialist will meet with clients to provide supportive services and to promote housing retention, community integration, life skills, and improved health and wellness.
The Encampment Resolution Project will work to resolve 21 vehicle encampments county‑wide. The Housing Retention Specialists will report to the Encampment Resolution Project Coordinator and the Vehicle Encampment Resolution Program Manager. The goal of the project is to house 150‑300 individuals residing in these encampments. Three Housing Retention Specialists are being hired: two based at our South County office in Santa Barbara (one dedicated to the City of Santa Barbara, one dedicated to the county) and one based in North County at our Lompoc and Santa Maria offices.
The Housing Retention Specialists will be in the field at least 75% of the time.
Responsibilities
Facilitate the connection and enrollment of clients into eligible and applicable programs and resources.
Support clients, collaboratively working with their landlords, neighbors, and existing case management services as needed so the client can thrive within their housing.
Assist clients in relocating to more appropriate housing if needed.
Strive to recognize the best in each client and support the meaningful change they seek through building relationships and utilizing motivational interviewing techniques and strength‑based case management techniques.
Provide client engagement by welcoming the client to their new community, addressing basic needs, establishing trust, and assisting the client with understanding the services that are available to them.
Meet with clients on a regularly scheduled basis and document growth and strength in progress notes and in Fulcrum and HMIS.
Provide home and field‑based services as appropriate and transport clients as needed to essential appointments that support their well‑being.
Assist clients with navigating and abiding by their lease obligations.
Support clients with learning and practicing fiscal responsibilities.
Assist clients with physical and mental health needs by providing support and linkage to appropriate services and/or our internal multidisciplinary team.
Participate in client review meetings and provide input to community partners as appropriate.
Expected Competencies
Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Human Services or related field preferred; a minimum of 1 year case management experience or related professional licensure or certification (e.g., LCSW, MFT, CADAC, LVN, LPT, etc.) required.
Knowledge of HMIS and stability‑through‑housing model preferred but not required.
Experience with homeless, vulnerable, and/or diverse populations and the knowledge surrounding poverty and social factors involved.
Ability to understand the needs of formerly homeless people with disabilities and to develop collaborative goals toward greater self‑sufficiency and independence in the greater community.
Respond to all persons in a calm, supportive, and professional manner.
Knowledgeable of the dynamics of chemical dependency, mental disorders, and the effects of homelessness.
Excellent verbal and written skills.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Suite, computer literacy, and willingness to learn other applications.
Must have own working transportation with liability insurance to conduct job‑related travel.
Must satisfactorily pass the company’s background, DMV, and reference check.
Must meet insurance carrier’s requirements for approval to drive.
Bi‑lingual a plus but not required.
Work hours are Monday – Friday, 9-5, although there will be some nighttime and weekend hours on occasion to attend community events and/or to manage any off‑hour client crises that may arise.
Starting salary range is $25.00 – $28.00 per hour (DOE) with medical and dental benefits provided, 403(b) participation and match, and generous paid time off.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, political affiliation or beliefs, sex, age, physical handicap, medical condition, marital status, or pregnancy (as those terms are defined by the California Fair Employment and Housing Act — Government Code Section 12900‑12996), except where such discrimination is based on a bona fide occupational qualification.
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The Encampment Resolution Project will work to resolve 21 vehicle encampments county‑wide. The Housing Retention Specialists will report to the Encampment Resolution Project Coordinator and the Vehicle Encampment Resolution Program Manager. The goal of the project is to house 150‑300 individuals residing in these encampments. Three Housing Retention Specialists are being hired: two based at our South County office in Santa Barbara (one dedicated to the City of Santa Barbara, one dedicated to the county) and one based in North County at our Lompoc and Santa Maria offices.
The Housing Retention Specialists will be in the field at least 75% of the time.
Responsibilities
Facilitate the connection and enrollment of clients into eligible and applicable programs and resources.
Support clients, collaboratively working with their landlords, neighbors, and existing case management services as needed so the client can thrive within their housing.
Assist clients in relocating to more appropriate housing if needed.
Strive to recognize the best in each client and support the meaningful change they seek through building relationships and utilizing motivational interviewing techniques and strength‑based case management techniques.
Provide client engagement by welcoming the client to their new community, addressing basic needs, establishing trust, and assisting the client with understanding the services that are available to them.
Meet with clients on a regularly scheduled basis and document growth and strength in progress notes and in Fulcrum and HMIS.
Provide home and field‑based services as appropriate and transport clients as needed to essential appointments that support their well‑being.
Assist clients with navigating and abiding by their lease obligations.
Support clients with learning and practicing fiscal responsibilities.
Assist clients with physical and mental health needs by providing support and linkage to appropriate services and/or our internal multidisciplinary team.
Participate in client review meetings and provide input to community partners as appropriate.
Expected Competencies
Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Human Services or related field preferred; a minimum of 1 year case management experience or related professional licensure or certification (e.g., LCSW, MFT, CADAC, LVN, LPT, etc.) required.
Knowledge of HMIS and stability‑through‑housing model preferred but not required.
Experience with homeless, vulnerable, and/or diverse populations and the knowledge surrounding poverty and social factors involved.
Ability to understand the needs of formerly homeless people with disabilities and to develop collaborative goals toward greater self‑sufficiency and independence in the greater community.
Respond to all persons in a calm, supportive, and professional manner.
Knowledgeable of the dynamics of chemical dependency, mental disorders, and the effects of homelessness.
Excellent verbal and written skills.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Suite, computer literacy, and willingness to learn other applications.
Must have own working transportation with liability insurance to conduct job‑related travel.
Must satisfactorily pass the company’s background, DMV, and reference check.
Must meet insurance carrier’s requirements for approval to drive.
Bi‑lingual a plus but not required.
Work hours are Monday – Friday, 9-5, although there will be some nighttime and weekend hours on occasion to attend community events and/or to manage any off‑hour client crises that may arise.
Starting salary range is $25.00 – $28.00 per hour (DOE) with medical and dental benefits provided, 403(b) participation and match, and generous paid time off.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, political affiliation or beliefs, sex, age, physical handicap, medical condition, marital status, or pregnancy (as those terms are defined by the California Fair Employment and Housing Act — Government Code Section 12900‑12996), except where such discrimination is based on a bona fide occupational qualification.
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