Program: Pathways Housing First Program
Job Title: ACT Team Service Coordinator, Full-Time
Pathways Vermont’s Housing First Program provides permanent, independent housing for individuals who are homeless or involved with the department of corrections and who struggle with serious mental health challenges, and then combines that housing with supportive services in the areas of mental health, physical health, substance abuse, education, and employment. Pathways Vermont believes in services which are client-centered and client-directed and believes in using a harm-reduction framework to address client needs.
Service Coordinators are members of the interdisciplinary team who provide flexible, compassionate, community based services that are designed to promote the stability, recovery and community reintegration of individuals who experience mental health challenges, histories of homelessness, and may also have challenges around substance use. The Service Coordinator collaborates with the multidisciplinary team and shares responsibility for all program clients, referrals, and communication with community partners. Ideally, candidates to this position will bring some specialized knowledge in life skills development, substance abuse support, housing retention, wellness support, or another area of practical use to Pathways Vermont’s clientele.
Serves: Chittenden County
Supervised by: Housing First Team Leader
Responsibilities:
- Engage in relationship building/rapport building with clients and provide service from a “Choice” perspective as well as client centered, harm reduction, and strengths based approaches.
- Provide one to one support and counseling on life skills, housing concerns, and health maintenance, including such tasks as medication support, housekeeping, and assisting clients to manage their monies, including preparing budgets with clients and computing expenses.
- Collaborate with clients in the formulation and maintenance of a comprehensive, Medicaid-compliant service plan that is reviewed and modified with the client on a regular basis
- Assist clients in navigating the housing path including viewing units, assistance with moving in, life skill development, landlord/client disputes, etc.
- Assist clients with referrals to community agencies to ensure that they have full access to services and resources they require, i.e. entitlements, benefits, advocacy, addiction services, etc
- Coordinate and monitor referrals to community services, and advocate for client participation in them; manage contacts with outside agencies and act as client liaison where indicated
- Develop a working knowledge of relevant community resources in Chittenden County and demonstrate a willingness to explore new or unfamiliar resources as necessary
- Educate, inform and advocate for clients regarding benefits and entitlements (Social Security, Public Assistance, food stamps, etc.).
- Maintain written and computerized records, compile reports and complete other program documentation (including case notes, face sheets, statistics, letters, petty cash receipts, etc.).
- Participate in 24/7 on call services rotation with other team members.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Patience, creativity, flexibility, compassion, and sensitivity to persons with disabilities and other minority populations.
- Prior experience working in a mental health and/or harm reduction agency, preferably in community-based services
- A good understanding of the issues facing persons with a mental health challenge or substance use issue, particularly as related to meeting basic needs of food, clothing, shelter and advocacy. In particular, knowledge of the criminal justice system and how it impacts individuals with mental illness is valuable
- Willingness and enthusiasm to work as part of an interdisciplinary team
- Excellent communication, writing, and computer skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills, sound knowledge of supportive counselling and the ability to form relationships with marginalized individuals
- Sound judgment and good problem solving skills including assessing risk factors
- Ability to structure time, develop work priorities independently, and meet program expectations with regard to documenting interactions
- Excellent independent problem solving skills and demonstrated ability to intuitively approach challenging situations
- Knowledge of community resources for mental health and substance use
- Valid driver’s license, a reliable personal vehicle available for work purposes and current automobile insurance required
- Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred
- Non-credentialed individuals with experience in mental health service delivery may qualify for this position
- Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds
- Ability to work on call (rotating schedule)
- Ability to work within a Housing First, client centered, harm reduction framework
- Lived experience of mental health challenges and homelessness will be considered an asset
It is the policy of Pathways Vermont that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment in employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, veteran status, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identification, or disability. Pathways Vermont is committed to a diverse workplace that reflects the communities we serve, and is particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people including people with military experience, individuals with disabilities, and people of color.
To apply, please email cover letter and resume to [email protected].
