Description
General Statement
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church.
Its message is based on the Bible.
Its ministry is motivated by the love of God.
Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
Position Summary
The Veteran Engagement Specialist in the CIS/SSVF Program works as part of a multi-disciplinary team serving clients in the community.
The Veteran Engagement Specialist will work in conducting extensive outreach to low-income Veteran families including group and personal meetings as well as effective use of Internet.
The Veteran Engagement Specialist will work to engage homeless veterans and their families within the community that he/she serves through completing extensive outreach for veterans for the SSVF Program as well as engaging landlords.
The Veteran Engagement Specialist will assist program participants in locating and securing permanent housing as quickly as possible through outreach to landlords, property managers and housing authorities.
Other duties include utilizing screening tools to assess and identify housing barriers and services required.
Use online database (HMIS) to input client information and demographics in real-time.
Provide linkage and referrals to community services and agencies.
These referrals must be documented in a timely and efficient manner.
Attend scheduled workshops, training and meetings as required.
Create and lead presentations using PowerPoint for workshops and information sessions for program prospects, partner agencies, clients, and co-worker.
Essential Functions
• Participate in monthly Housing and Outreach department meetings and CIS/SSVF meetings.
• Conduct research, outreach, education and public relations to build relationships with landlords, community partners and veterans with the goal of successfully housing participants in the SSVF Program.
• Conduct street and community outreach and attend outreach events such as V.A Stand downs and resource fairs.
• Establish strong relationship with Coordinated Entry System .
• Identify community resources.
• Attend community meetings within Service Planning Areas and conduct community outreach with community meetings.
• Engage with other community partners/providers in completing the Veteran By Name List and/or Master List.
• Engage and establish relationships with community partners for referrals for SSVF Program.
• Help program participants identify potential neighborhoods where they wish to live, conduct housing searches in said areas and negotiate with potential landlords on behalf of the participants.
• Establish and maintain relationships with landlords, property management companies.
• Assist in the processing and submission of applications for housing (subsidized and unsubsidized).
• Conduct inspections of potential permanent housing units where program participants will reside.
• Conduct and Complete SSVF Collaborative Eligibility Screenings and review eligibility with clients.
• Work collaboratively with Social Workers to assist participants as needed during their move into permanent housing.
Such assistance may include accessing rental assistance monies, moving costs, donated furnishings and other basic household items for the family and serving as a liaison between Case Manager and Veteran.
• Provide tenant education including: tenant rights and responsibilities, housing discrimination and communication with landlords.
• Maintain a regular and open line of communication with landlords in order to assess the landlords’ satisfaction with the programs and address any questions or concerns that landlords may have.
• Document and maintain up-to-date information on services provided to participants in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
Housing Stability Plan, Habitability Checklist, check request, and Rent Reasonable.
• Participate in staff meetings and attend trainings as assigned.
• Housing Specialist will have a caseload of 20-45.
• Respond to complaints from landlords & participants related to housing conditions & provide mediation as needed.
• Rotates with the multi-disciplinary team for on-call duties.
• Must be willing to travel throughout Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles Counties
– this position requires travel to different locations.
• Stay current and consistently comply with the guideline and requirement of SSVF, The Salvation Army, related legal departments, ethical standards, and other related programs.
• Coordinate with SSVF team to ensure veteran services and follow-up are met in timely manner.
• Other duties as assigned.
Working Conditions
Most of the direct service work is performed in the community (i.e.
homeless encampments, shelters, etc.) and not at the office.
Thus, the SSVF Veteran Engagement Specialist must have the ability to walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel and twist on an intermittent or sometimes continuous basis, the ability to grasp, push, pull objects such as files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead; ability to operate computer, fax and telephone; and the ability to lift up to 25 lbs.
Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Social work or a related field.
• At least 1-year experience working with affordable housing services.
• At least 1-year experience working with homeless people who have mental illness and/or substance use issues.
• Excellent communication skills.
• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions / Clean driving record.
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
• Commitment to the holistic mission of The Salvation Army and CIS/SSVF.
• Able to represent the Salvation Army to community organizations
• If in recovery, at least 5 years of being clean and sober to the present, with evidence of working a program of personal recovery
• Commitment to working with disabled veterans
• Veteran status a plus
• Ability to work well with others and committed to the vision that CIS/SSVF be a program of excellence
Qualifications
Education
Preferred
+ Bachelors or better in Social Work
Experience
Preferred
+ 1 year: Experience working with homeless people who have mental illness and/or substance use issues
+ 1 year: Experience working with affordable housing services
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.
However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
41 CFR 60-1.35(c)