PSH (Permanent Supportive Housing) Retention Specialist II

Description

The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) is a non-profit organization established in 1976 to serve immigrants, refugees, and the broader community in Portland, Oregon. Our mission is to welcome, serve and empower refugees, immigrants and people across cultures and generations to reach their full potential. Find out more at www.irco.org.  

POSITION:                                    PSH (Permanent Supportive Housing) Retention Specialist II

JOB CLASS/GRADE:                    Coordinator 1 / Specialist 2; Grade 7

WAGE:                                           Starting at $52,488 per year based on experience

FLSA; EEO; WC:                           Non-Exempt; Professional; 8864

LOCATIONS:                                Hazel Ying Lee, 3000 SE Powell Blvd. Portland, OR 97202, Hybrid schedule

FTE; FT/PT; STATUS:                   1.0 FTE; Full-Time with Benefits; Regular

NUMBER OF POSITIONS:         (1)

APPLY AT:                                    www.irco.org 

STATUS:                                        Full-Time with Benefits

PROGRAM(S):                             Community Safety & Wellbeing/Housing Stability / Refugee & Immigrant Family

                                                       Strengthening (RIFS) PSH Program

SECTOR:                                       Housing Stabilization Services

REQUIREMENTS:

English fluency required; bilingual fluency in Spanish preferred but not required

Familiarity with supportive housing is valuable

Must be able to pass an extensive background check

This job announcement is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed in this job. This is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

Program Summary
The Hazel Ying Lee Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) program provides wrap-around, comprehensive support to families with children who are identified as being currently at risk or experiencing homelessness. Support services for Hazel Ying Lee Apartments consist of retention services and housing placement services that are flexible, tenant-driven, voluntary, and individualized. IRCO staff is responsible for providing onsite services for 30 permanent supportive housing (PSH) units, as well as referral and linkage to outside resources, timely documentation, and program reporting.

Position Summary
PSH (Permanent Supportive Housing) Retention Specialist II, assist individuals and/or families who are at risk of, or fully, experiencing homelessness to obtain or retain long term permanent housing. This role utilizes a housing first, strengths-based, empowerment model to cultivate trust, establish and promote trauma-informed communication, provide advocacy, direct services and support, and case management that facilitates, encourages, and assists clients to reach their goals. The PSH Retention Specialist II utilizes their experience in homeless services and/or affordable housing as well as housing stabilization programs to enhance and improve programming, facilitates working groups, and sometimes is called upon to mentor less experienced staff members (Specialist I). This position is based onsite to work directly with participants and provide housing first, community responsive, and participant-centered services that focus on housing placement, retention, and wellbeing.

Essential Functions

• Adhere to program, agency, and federal legal policies on client confidentiality
• Implement client-centered, strengths-based, trauma-informed empowerment model in assisting clients to heal and attain stability as driven by their priorities and goals 
• Collaborate with internal and external service providers to identify participants who meet criteria for PSH
• Assess potential participants for eligibility, conduct intake sessions utilizing assessment and evaluation procedures and the best practices, and conduct eligibility screening for other services
• Develop a case management plan for each participant, provide short-term crisis intervention for participants who wish to access services which include but are not limited to, emergency shelters and motels; supports for long term housing stability; peer supports; mental health services; securing employment; and referrals for other relevant services
• Assist participants in navigating and accessing appropriate services
• Maintain confidential case management files including records of intake, case management plans, and all contacts and referrals
• Complete data entry, case notes, client file updates, reports, and all other program and IRCO administrative tasks within given timelines
• Perform outreach and educational activities within immigrant and refugee communities and local service providers
• Actively participate in relevant network meetings, regular IRCO internal meetings, and community engagement events and presentations 
• Mentor less experienced colleagues, provide job shadowing opportunities for new staff, contribute to resource library, and facilitate departmental working groups
• Perform other duties as assigned 
• Ability to meet multiple, including conflicting deadlines
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
• Ability to work flexible hours to meet the availability of clients

Secondary Functions

• Ability to deal with distressed and demanding clients and employees in an effective manner
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
• Ability to communicate with a variety of personality types and levels of the organization as well as with people outside of the organization
• Ability to work flexible hours to meet the availability of clients

Requirements

Education & Experience

MINIMUM JOB SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of training and experience
• Minimum 1-2 years of work experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Strong analytical, problem-solving skills
• Strong skills in multi-background, interpersonal, and organizational communication
• Communicate effectively in a positive manner verbally, in writing, and by phone
• Strong communication skills in a multilingual, multi-background team and organization

Physical, Mental, & Environmental Requirements

• Hybrid setting job
• Positions at this level require some lifting, carrying or movement, etc. 
• There is a regular need for assessment of risk, analysis of options and decisions without complete information
• There is some personal risk or hazard. Job conditions are somewhat uncomfortable due to varying work environments; outside job tasks; inclement weather; or individuals of unpredictable, possibly harmful intent. 

Supervisory Responsibilities

Positions at this level are not responsible for any supervisory functions, or responsibilities, but may occasionally be asked to orient and/or train new employees or volunteers.

What We Offer

IRCO is a very employee-friendly workplace and offers great benefit package to our staff:

• Many flexible working arrangements and schedule
• Amazing opportunity to work with people who come from all over the world
• Work that helps your community 
• 3 to 6 weeks of PTO per year 
• 401k match of over 100% on first 5%, immediate vesting 
• 3% match for student loans or college savings 
• 12 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
• Medical & Dental insurance options with 90% coverage for employee AND Families, no deductibles
• Employer Paid Life, Short term, and Long-term Disability Insurance 
• Flexible spending account

Required Engagement 

Engage fully in recommended professional development, as well as other assigned or required training activities. This engagement can also include participation in optional activities that embrace IRCO’s mission, vision, and values-based initiatives. 

How To Apply

1. Complete the IRCO application in our Careers Portal: IRCO Application for Employment.  
2. Upload your resume and cover letter addressing your qualifications for this position IRCO Careers.  
3. For questions about this position, please email jobs@irco.org

Please note that physical applications are accessible from IRCO’s main office, 10301 NE Glisan, Portland, OR 97220. Due to the high volume of applications received, we will not be able to contact applicants or return calls regarding applications. Complete applications should include a cover letter, resume, and IRCO application.