FCSS Housing Counselor

FCSS Housing Counselor

20 Apr 2024
Vermont, Vermont, 05401 Vermont USA

FCSS Housing Counselor

Vacancy expired!

CAPSTONE COMMUNITY ACTION, INC.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Program: Family and Community Support Services

Job Title: Housing Counselor Pay Grade: 3

Last Review Date/Update/Change of Job Description: 09/29/2021

A. General Description

The FCSS Housing Counselor is a full-time position working with families or individuals experiencing a housing crisis because they are currently unhoused or at risk of losing housing. The position includes advocacy, mediation, assessment, planning, creative confrontation, and connecting families with resources. The FCSS Housing Counselor works as part of a team and reports to the Housing Programs Manager.

B. Essential Functions

1. Perform Housing Counseling which includes a wide variety of activities such as:

a. Conducting pre-screenings that prioritizes clients who are unhoused, performing assessments, and engaging families and individuals in a meaningful dialogue for the purpose of mutually assessing their needs. Identifying and/or providing appropriate services and referrals including access to state benefits where eligible. Providing participant support at locations out of the office, if, or as needed. Determining eligibility for agency programs.

b. Working with participants to create a housing plan with goals and timeframes that identifies barriers to housing stability and action steps to address them. If working with families in Capstone’s emergency scatter-site units, provide “essential services” including property management, landlord relations, supplies ordering and inventory, and intensive, regular case management.

c. Providing instruction or access to one or more Ready to Rent (or comparable tenant education) classes.

d. Assisting with housing searches and landlord negotiations.

e. Developing a budget based upon analysis of prior income and expenditures; discussing alternatives that might also be workable for the client’s needs; and assisting or providing in credit counseling or coaching.

f. Providing outreach services to assist participants in leveraging other funds and contact with other providers. Referring clients to appropriate services available through other programs at Capstone Community Action or our community partners.

g. Following-up with participants to inquire about and track their progress with their housing action plan. Performing ongoing, individualized support and coordination for program-eligible households once stabilized in permanent housing.

h. Documenting services and activities and closing out files when clients’ needs are met or no longer request services.

i. Tracking expected outcomes from Housing Counseling services such as participants’ progress toward self-sufficiency; reduced risk as evidenced by progress on the self-sufficiency matrix; and the number of participants that maintain or obtain permanent housing and who are securely and safely housed.

2. Involve and represent Capstone Community Action in the broader community. Develop and increase awareness of issues impacting people with low-incomes. Work collaboratively with area service providers, State agency employees, and other community-based organizations. Promote participation of the low-income constituency in community affairs and governmental processes. Attend community meetings where low-income issues are addressed.

C. Other Duties

1. Maintain quantitative and qualitative record keeping including data entry for all services, and filing timely programmatic and financial reports as required by funding sources and Capstone Community Action. See housing counseling work plan for file maintenance requirements.

2. Maintain family and individual confidentiality within Capstone Community Action guidelines.

3. Participate in ongoing professional development.

4. Perform other duties as assigned.

D. Qualifications

1. A Bachelor’s degree in a related human service field, or equivalent, plus four years’ experience in human services/human development. Certification in Ready to Rent or similar curriculum preferred.

2. Demonstrated knowledge of human services, domestic violence issues, adult development, and the education and human service networks in Central Vermont. Express willingness to learn about, and work with, Correctional and Judicial systems in Central Vermont if not already informed.

3. Demonstrated sensitivity to issues related to poverty and the barriers faced by people with low incomes.

4. Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

A home telephone, reliable insured transportation, and a valid VT driver’s license.

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Job Details

  • ID
    JC39148204
  • State
  • City
  • Job type
    Full-time
  • Salary
    $17.22-$20.16 per hour
  • Hiring Company
    Vermont
  • Date
    2022-04-19
  • Deadline
    2022-06-18
  • Category

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