The Boston Public Health Commission's Homeless Services Bureau (HSB) provides emergency shelter, job training, behavioral health support, and housing services to unhoused individuals in Boston. We serve close to 5,000 individuals every year and are one of the largest providers of emergency shelter in New England and are the only shelters in the city open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round.
Our aim is to make homelessness in Boston rare, brief, and on time. We do that by problem-solving with new guests at the front door to prevent anyone from entering homelessness to begin with. For individuals who do become homeless we help them quickly find a safe place to go. Once housed, we provide in-home supports to ensure someone does not return to homelessness again.
We use a Housing First framework, believing that housing is a basic need that everyone deserves and that everyone can succeed in housing. We foster evidence-based approaches such as trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and motivational interviewing in the delivery of our housing services and strives to ensure our services are as low-threshold and accessible to our guests as possible. Housing Navigators help clients quickly find permanent housing. To do that Housing Navigators engage clients in housing conversations, assess clients housing choices, needs, and barriers, ensure clients have required documents, and create strategies to help clients stay up to date on all possible housing options. Housing Navigators identify available units, accompany clients to view units, and coordinate move in logistics, and make referrals as necessary to help clients succeed in housing. The work is fast-paced and rewarding, and requires creativity, compassion, and commitment.
DUTIES: - Responsible for the overall operation, supervision and development of the Homeless Services Community Housing Programs, including Valentine Street, Wise Street and Porter Apartments Community Housing Programs.
- Responsible for the recruitment, training, scheduling and direct supervision of assigned staff. Conducts initial intake/interview and assessment for Community Housing Program placement.
- Completes psychosocial on each participant. Establishes Individual Service Plans based on mutually
- agreed upon goals and objectives and program participants needs.
- Provides counseling and referrals to appropriate services. Coordinates interagency referrals for health care, human services, psychiatric intervention, legal and governmental entitlement programs.
- Coordinates intradepartmental referrals within Homeless Services for work rehabilitation, clinical nursing services, substance abuse counseling, etc.
- Assist in resident's life skills development individually and in groups, such as money management, shopping, cooking, etc.
- Serves as primary liaison between 1810 Realty (property managers), BPHC and Friends of Boston's
- Homeless as necessary.
- Manages vacancy list/paperwork with Boston Housing Department for open units by maintaining regular communication with BHA partners and completing all necessary paperwork.
- Maintains regular communication with DND and HomeStart to manage open units at Wise Street within
- the Coordinated Access System,
- Ensures consistent and appropriate billing for services by serving as primary point of contact with BPHC's Revenue Department, tracking client services provided, completing BSAS enrollment and assessment forms and entering relevant billing info into state system.
- Facilitates weekly house meetings at Wise St. and quarterly house meetings at Porter Apartments. Participates in weekly house meetings at Valentine St. as able.
- Ensures the maintenance and cleanliness of all properties.
- Maintains all individual client records. Collects data and prepares reports for funding sources and the
- Bureau. Maintains documentation as required by BHA, HUD, DPH/BSAS, HomeStart and prepares/submits client recertifications as necessary.
- Attends assigned meetings and trainings. Other duties as required.
- Bachelor's degree with minimum two years human service experience or College level course work equivalent to an Associate degree three years human service experience or High School Diploma and four years minimum experience may be substituted.
- Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, (CADAC, CAS) or Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) preferred.
- Previous experience working with homeless, diverse ethnic, racial and low-income populations with an understanding of mental health, substance abuse and recovery issues.
- Strong organizational and communication skills. Knowledge of Boston area social service agencies. Ability to work in a team atmosphere. Strong computer skills required.
- Valid driver's license and good driving record.
- Bi-Lingual/Spanish speaking preferred