Housing Support Services Specialist (Case Manager)

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Arlington County's Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking a Housing Support Services Specialist to provide housing-focused case management and support to individuals with a serious mental illness and other disabilities. This Specialist will work with program participants to set goals for healthy individual growth through an assistance with daily living activities, with an emphasis on maintaining housing stability.

This position is assigned to the Arlington County Permanent Supportive Housing Program (PSH) as part of the Housing Assistance Bureau of DHS and reports to the Supportive Housing Services Assistant Manager. Permanent Supportive Housing is an evidence-based practice and an effective housing strategy for persons with disabilities.

Arlington County DHS is committed to delivering client services in an effective, equitable, respectful, and trauma-informed manner. Our staff is dedicated to ensuring our clients are approached, engaged and cared for in ways that demonstrate competency, sensitivity and awareness of factors which impact the client experience including but not limited to: cultural identity, gender, racial, and ethnic diversity, religious/spiritual ascription, physical capability, cognitive and literacy levels, sexual orientation, and linguistic needs. To learn more about our services please visit DHS.

Specific duties include:

• Guiding participants through the housing application process including assisting with obtaining federal, state and local benefits;
• Assisting participants with move-in activities including developing a budget, setting up utilities, accessing subsidies, and securing furniture;
• Responding to housing emergencies of PSH participants:
• Teaching daily living activities to assist with maintaining housing;
• Determining program and subsidy eligibility for PSH applicants and customers;
• Maintaining and updating client charts;
• Updating internal and external reports for program systems (i.e. Homeless Management Information System); and 
• Conducting initial, interim and annual Housing Quality Standard (HQS) inspections, annual housing assessments and bi-annual housing service plans.

The ideal candidate will possess proven conflict resolution skills that include persuading others, developing positive, trusting relationships with tenants, landlords, and service providers. They will also work well under stressful situations, be able to prioritize competing tasks, and have strong record keeping and interpersonal skills.

Minimums:

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Special Education, Mental Health, or Counseling; and
• Some experience working with human service delivery systems to provide supportive housing needs for low-income populations with cognitive, mental, developmental disabilities and/or individuals with substance use disorders.
   

Substitution: Additional directly related experience may substitute for the education requirement. A Master's degree in a directly related area may substitute for up to one year of experience.

Desirables: Preference may be given to candidates with experience in one or more of the following:

• Working with a Housing First model;
• Using Motivational Interviewing and Harm Reduction techniques;
• Solving housing issues that may not be addressed through traditional service delivery;
• Negotiating between tenant/landlord and leases, eviction preventions and property management issues;
• Bilingual speaking English/Spanish; 
• A Master's degree in a directly related field; and
• Housing Quality Standard certification.

Special Requirements

The applicant must possess, or obtain by the time of appointment, a valid motor vehicle operator's license from the applicant's place of residence or the applicant must have the ability or willingness to use alternative methods of transportation to perform assigned duties and responsibilities at locations other than the primary worksite. If the applicant possesses or acquires a license, the applicant must authorize Arlington County to obtain, or the applicant must provide, a copy of the applicant's official state/district driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon a favorable review of the applicant's driving record.

Completion of a State of Virginia Central Registry Check.
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