Community Resource Specialist

Description

Position Title: Community Resource Specialist

Reports To:  Assistant Director  

Classification: Regular, Full-Time (Exempt) 

Location: Washington, DC 20009

Hours: A flexible schedule, including evenings, holidays, and weekends, may be required to support operations and respond to emergencies.

About Us:

Friendship Place is a nonprofit organization serving the Washington, DC, region and empowering individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness to rebuild their lives with community involvement. Friendship Place offers the most effective model for addressing homelessness, with innovative, customized programs with positive, demonstrable results and a lasting impact on the community and beyond. Our programs are person-centric and individualized to meet the needs and goals of individuals, families, youth/young adults, and Veterans experiencing homelessness. We provide outreach, hospitality, health care, case management, housing, job placement services, and advocacy. We have established a national presence and are known for sharing best practices in the field.

Our Core Values:

Friendship Place is a person-first organization that promotes transparency and ethical practices among our team and those we serve. All individuals in our organization are expected to carry out their job tasks in a manner that is consistent with our core values. This includes the following:

• Excellence and Innovation
• Finding Ways to Say “Yes” 
• Caring at the Core 
• Agents of Change 
• Support, Empowerment, and Development  
• Integrity and Accountability

Summary:

The Community Resource Specialist creates partnerships with community members throughout the CoCs served by the program and will provide education and resources to case managers, participants, and landlords as needed. The Community Resource Specialist serves as a resource to case managers and will assist case management staff with needs related to resources for the following jurisdictions: DC, Arlington, Alexandria, Loudoun, Fairfax, Prince William, Montgomery, Prince George’s, and Frederick.

Responsibilities:

• Obtain community resources and establish key partnerships for staff and participants.
• Manage SSVF Resource Guide Excel Doc
• Develop relationships with large property management companies and landlords who have available rentals in the 9 CoCs served.
• Manage Housing Resource Guide Excel Doc of available housing stock for participants. 
• Provide resource and housing search support to case managers and participants.
• Help Case Managers, Participants, and Landlords understand tenant rights.
• Document all participant interactions in HMIS.
• Complete all appropriate monthly and annual reports.
• Represent the agency at community functions, network, and market services that are provided by the SSVF grant.
• Assist with Rapid Resolution and Returning Home Cases.
• Become SOAR certified and aid with SOAR cases.
• Complete 60-day follow-ups with each exited participant and connect to resources as necessary. 
• Aid with screening line calls as needed.
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings and regular supervision.
• Attend professional training and conferences as needed.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Background & Qualifications:

•  Bachelor's Degree preferred
•  At least 1-year experience in a similar setting preferred 
•  Prior SSVF background preferred
•  Valid driver’s license and ability to operate a motor vehicle
•  Understanding and/or experience working with Veterans
•  Experience working with landlords/property managers and housing locations
•  Experience with marketing services
•  Experience with networking and forming community relationships
•  Strong written and verbal skills
•  Ability to work well under pressure
•  Ability to work as a team player
•  Demonstrate a client-centered approach and the ability to follow Housing First principles 

Physical & Environmental Requirements:

This position requires staff to spend approximately 50% of their time in the field working with participants, attending community events, and attending CoC meetings. Staff will interact with participants who have a history of experiencing homelessness. Staff will navigate city traffic. They must be able to sit and work at a computer for prolonged periods and drive for 20% of the time.

Background Checks:  

The selected