Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week)
Location: Lynchburg VA, 24501
$5000 Hiring Bonus for Housing Specialist, active as of 03/14/2025, $5000 Total, paid in three (3) installments; $2000 upon receipt of the following: Background clearances, including fingerprint background check, Acceptable drug screen results, Satisfactory references; $1500 upon satisfactory completion of the six (6) month probationary period; $1500 upon completion of twelve (12) months of continuous employment, with a satisfactory performance evaluation. This hiring bonus is applicable to new hires only, or otherwise, individuals not having been employed for a minimum of 1 year from the date application is received.
Position Summary Horizon Behavioral Health participates in the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) Permanent Supportive Housing Program (PSH). The program provides housing support for individuals with serious mental illness who are homeless (as defined by DBHDS) individuals exiting a state psychiatric facility, individuals with serious mental illness released from jail/prison, and individuals who may be able to increase their independence by moving from an assisted living facility to permanent supportive housing. The Housing Specialist will work directly with program participants to ensure permanent supportive housing is secured.
The Housing Specialist will be responsible for maintaining relationships and problem-solving with landlords as well as completing interim and annual reviews, HQS in sections, initial needs assessments, initial intakes, and annual assessments. The Housing Specialist will serve as a liaison between tenants, case managers, and landlords. The Housing Specialist will coordinate with the accounting department to monitor PSH grant funds and rental assistance payments to landlords.
Required Education and Experience - High School Diploma or relevant education and experience, which indicates that the individual possesses the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
- One (1) year of relevant mental health, developmental disability or substance abuse work experience or a combination thereof that demonstrates candidate possesses the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities - Knowledge of the services, systems, and programs available in the community including primary health care, support services, eligibility criteria and intake processes, generic community resources, and mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse treatment programs.
- Knowledge and understanding of the nature of serious mental illness, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse depending on the population served.
- Aware of treatment modalities and intervention techniques, such as behavior management, independent living skills training, supportive counseling, family education, discharge planning, and service coordination.
- Ability to identify and document an individual's needs for resources, services and other supports.
- Ability to review and utilize information from assessments, evaluations, observation, and interviews to develop individual service plans.
- Ability to identify services and resources within the community and established service system to meet the individual's needs.
- Ability to coordinate services and communication with public and private providers.
- Ability and willingness to work in a team environment; effective communication skills with team members, maintaining effective inter- and intra- agency working relationships.
- Ability to work independently, performing position duties under general supervision.
- Willing to engage and sustain ongoing relationships with individuals receiving services.
- Ability to drive and must possess a valid driver's license. May be called upon to travel to any Horizon worksite. Regular attendance at trainings and Horizon meetings may require travel to a variety of Horizon sites.
- Ability to participate in and successfully pass behavioral intervention training; includes both verbal de-escalation skills and physical skills techniques to be utilized with consumers as needed.
- Willing and available to work modified schedules (weekends, holiday, etc.) as required.
- Ability to demonstrate a positive regard for individuals and their families (e.g., allowing risk taking, avoiding stereotypes of developmentally disabled people, respecting individuals' and families' privacy, believing individuals can grow).
HORIZON ENVIRONMENT Horizon Behavioral Health Community Services Board (CSB) is located in the beautiful heart of Central Virginia. Whether your passions be hiking the Appalachian Trails, kayaking the James River Blueways, or a Sunday drive along the world-famous Blue Ridge Parkway, Lynchburg Virginia offers small-town southern charm with an active culture of music festivals, outdoor activities, world-class performing arts and a revitalized downtown that placed it at the top of the list by Reviews.org as the 2019 best place for millennials to move. Horizon is also the proud recipient of Living in Lynchburg's 2021 Giving Back Award, Best of Lynchburg for Counseling Services for multiple consecutive years, and again named Best Place to Work by Lynchburg Business Magazine in 2023.
THE BEST BENEFITS FOR THOSE WHO TAKE CARE OF THE COMMUNITY We're proud to offer some of the best benefits options in Central Virginia. Participation in the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) is exclusively for public service workers in Virginia, while several options exist for life, health, dental, and vision insurance. Emphasis on work-life balance means a generous annual leave policy ensuring time for wellness with separate time allocated for sick leave and additionally for paid holidays. Stay active with Horizon's annual wellness programs and various opportunities to interact with the community through the year. Horizon's clinical sites are NHSC/HRSA approved for clinical student loan repayment and qualify for both the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and the Behavioral Health State Loan Repayment (BHLRP) programs. If you are interested in continuing your education, working at Horizon qualifies you to receive discounts at some local universities.
To Apply - Please visit our online career center at Horizon Behavioral Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).