Housing First Service Coordinator –
Chittenden County
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.
The Company: Pathways Vermont is a dynamic nonprofit agency that ends homelessness and provides alternative mental health services. Pathways believes housing is a basic human right and practices housing first – immediate access to housing without preconditions. Client choice, harm reduction, non-coercion, flexibility and person-centered housing plans are core elements of our practice. Pathways offers a great benefit package including dental and health insurance, generous paid-time-off and paid holidays.
Our Housing First Program provides permanent, independent housing for individuals who are or were recently homeless and often struggle with serious mental health challenges. Pathways combines housing support with supportive services in the areas of mental health, physical health, substance use, education, and employment. Pathways Vermont believes in services that 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 housing stability. This Service Coordinator role will function as an integral member of Pathways’ Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team which utilizes an interdisciplinary staff to serve a combined caseload of clients and communicates with community partners. This role will blend Rapid Rehousing strategies with evidenced based practices of the Housing First model.
Serves: Chittenden County
Full Time: 35 to 40 hours per week
Supervised by: Chittenden County Rapid Rehousing Manager and ACT 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.
● Collaborate with clients in the formulation and maintenance of a dynamic and comprehensive Housing Stability Plan.
● Assist clients in navigating the housing path including viewing units, assistance with moving in, life skill development, landlord/client disputes, etc.
● Develop a working knowledge of relevant community resources in Chittenden County and demonstrate initiative to
explore new or unfamiliar resources as necessary
● 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.
● Maintain written and computerized records, compile reports and complete other program documentation (including case notes, budgets, letters, petty cash receipts, etc.).
● Provide one to one support and counseling on life skills, housing concerns, and health maintenance, including such tasks as medication support, occasional housekeeping, and assisting clients to manage their monies, including preparing budgets with clients and computing expenses.
● Educate, inform and advocate for clients regarding benefits and entitlements (Social Security, Public Assistance,
food stamps, etc.).
● Participate in 24/7 on call services rotation with other team members, roughly 3-4 weeks per year.
● Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
● Bachelor’s or equivalent work experience preferred
● 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 services preferred.
● A good understanding of the issues facing persons with mental health challenges or substance use issues, 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
● Excellent communication, writing, and computer skills
● Excellent interpersonal skills, sound knowledge of supportive counseling skills and the ability to form relationships with marginalized individuals
● Ability to work in a fast paced environment, 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 financial resources, mental health, and substance use
● Valid driver’s license, a reliable personal vehicle available for work purposes and current automobile insurance required
● Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds
● Ability to work on-call (rotating schedule)
● Lived experience of mental health challenges and homelessness will be considered an asset
Working Conditions/Physical Demands:
● Frequent operation of a computer and other office machinery including typing
● Ability to ascend and descend stairs for viewing apartments and meeting with participants in the community
● Occasional stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, standing and lifting of arms to participate in move-in and apartment visits
● Often meeting with persons in the community and/or visiting different businesses
● Frequent walking around the community to participate in viewing apartments and supporting participants
● Frequent talking and listening in participation of exchanging ideas through spoken word and occasional receipt and giving of detailed information through oral communication
● Moderate reading responsibilities
● Occasionally lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds (i.e. carrying groceries, supporting with move-in, etc.)
● Frequent exposure to outside environmental conditions (all seasons) in accompanying participants in the community
● Possible exposure to high levels of noise, and aggressive energy while supporting participants in stressful situations
Benefits:
● Medical, dental and vision insurance
● Long Term Disability/Life Insurance
● Paid Time Off (accrual of 210 hours per year to start)
● All-Staff days off
● 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan
● Employee Assistance Program
● Longevity Recognition Rewards
Compensation:
● Full Time
● 35-40 hours per week
● $18.45-$20/hour
To apply, please email a cover letter and resume to [email protected].
Cover letter required
