Homeless Coordinator Floater - Positions Available at Various Locations (Pipeline) - (22000CG6)
The Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD) seeks qualified applicants for the position of Benefit Eligibility & Referral Social Worker C (BERS C) within the Housing Stabilization Division's field offices. DHCD is within the Housing and Economic Development Secretariat and its work touches the lives of all Massachusetts residents. DHCD's mission is to strengthen cities, towns and neighborhoods to enhance the quality of life of Massachusetts residents by providing leadership, professional assistance and financial resources to promote safe, decent, affordable housing opportunities, economic vitality of communities and sound municipal management.
Our ideal candidate is an experienced professional with a strong background in dealing with people in crisis and with the ability to interpret and understand complex regulations and policy to determine program eligibility accurately. The overall objective for this position is to meet with families and/or individuals who find themselves homeless, determine their eligibility and assess their sheltering needs.
This position will require in-state travel 50% percent of the time.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (THESE DUTIES ARE A GENERAL SUMMARY AND NOT ALL INCLUSIVE):
1. Client Services:
- Conducts in-person and telephonic screening and assessments on households experiencing housing crisis to determine appropriate action including referral to diversion services and temporary emergency shelter placement.
- Assesses the special needs of clients to be considered in requesting and making appropriate shelter/motel placements and refers and coordinates with other agencies and resources to address and assist with medical issues, physical handicaps, mental health issues, substance abuse, domestic violence, education considerations for school age children and other pertinent issues.
- Responds to client requests for services in a compassionate and professional manner. Assists eligible clients in obtaining assistance by referring them to appropriate agencies including the Department of Transitional Assistance if clients need benefits such as transitional assistance, food stamps (SNAP) and/or medical assistance and encourage clients to participate in programs for which they are eligible.
- Processes Emergency Assistance (EA) applications for households that are in need of shelter placement.
- Authorizes support services such as transportation to clients and/or providers of services to clients by completing the authorization form.
- Organizes and maintains applicant/client records in a manner that ensures ready availability and quick access to case information.
2. Interagency Relationships:
- Initiates and maintains communication with other community agencies, shelter providers and state agencies serving clients to ensure that needed resources are made available to ensure permanent housing placements and long-term housing stability.
3. Mandated Reporting:
- Reports suspected cases of child, elder, and/or spousal abuse to appropriate authorities by notifying the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and other agencies to assist the affected party and deter future abuse.
4. Hearings:
- Represents the Department at appeal hearings.
5. Supervision:
- May exercise direct supervision and is responsible for the overall performance of the unit in the absence of the Regional Homeless Coordinator Supervisor.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Knowledge of available referral sources for providing services to clients, including available community support and social service resources.
- Knowledge of the social and economic problems of minorities and the economically disadvantaged and behavioral problems which form barriers to employment.
- Knowledge of common individual and/or family income and assets.
- Knowledge of the principles involved in writing narratives, including grammar, spelling, sentence structure, word meaning and punctuation.
- Ability to read, interpret, apply and explain the provisions of the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, standards and guidelines governing agency operations and assigned unit activities.
- Ability to read, interpret and apply Federal, State and local social services programs, laws, statutes and regulations that affect eligibility for financial assistance, such as worker’s compensation, social security and unemployment insurance.
- Ability to gather and assemble items of information in accordance with established procedures such as questioning and observing individuals and by examining records and documents.
- Ability to use investigative techniques in conducting interviews and obtaining pertinent factual information.
- Ability to utilize more complex applications of the laws, rules, regulations, programs, policies, procedures, specifications, standards and guidelines governing agency operations and assigned unit activities.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, such as giving written and oral instructions in a precise, understandable manner, accurately recording information provided orally, and writing concisely with a clear expression of thoughts and the development of ideas in a logical sequence.
- Ability to maintain accurate records on information provided either orally or in writing.
- Ability to perform and/or understand and explain arithmetic computations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) with accuracy.
- Ability to deal tactfully and establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others, including working in a team setting, functioning successfully in group situations, establishing rapport with persons from different ethnic, cultural and/or economic backgrounds, interacting with and demonstrating empathy to people who are under physical and/or emotional stress and maintaining a calm manner in stressful and/or emergency situations.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, including the exercise of discretion in handling confidential information.
- Demonstrated ability to use personal computer (PC) based systems.
- Bilingual candidate preferred (ability to read, write and speak Spanish and/or Haitian Creole).
COMMENTS:
This position would be expected to follow a hybrid model of reporting to work that combines in-office workdays and work from home days.
DHCD has positions available in various locations throughout the Commonwealth which may include Boston, Brockton, Chelsea, Hyannis, Lawrence, Lowell, New Bedford, Salem, Springfield, and Worcester. The incumbent will be required to float to various offices within their respective regions.
Please attach a resume and cover letter when applying for this position.
Salary placement is determined by years of experience and education directly related to the position and the Human Resources Division’s Recruiting Guidelines. In the case of a promotional opportunity, the salary provisions of the applicable collective bargaining agreement will apply to placement within the salary range.
Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.
PRE-OFFER PROCESS:
A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Department of Housing and Community Development prior to the candidate being hired.
QUALIFICATIONS:
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:
REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE: At least four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in social work or social casework, claims adjudication, job placement, recruitment, employment counseling, vocational or rehabilitation counseling, credit investigation, educational counseling, legal advocacy, or legal counseling.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- A Bachelor's or higher degree may be substituted for two years of the required experience on the basis of two years of education for one year of experience.
- One year of education equals 30 semester hours. Education toward a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.
LICENSES: Based on assignment, travel may be required. Those employees who elect to use a motor vehicle for travel must have a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's license or the equivalent from another state.
Comprehensive Benefits:
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards! at https://www.mass.gov/commonwealth-employee-benefits-and-rewards
Official Title: Benefits Eligibility & Referral Social Worker (C)
Functional Title: Homeless Coordinator
Primary Location: United States-Massachusetts-Boston-100 Cambridge Street
Job: Community and Social Services
Agency: Department of Housing & Community Development
Schedule: Full-time
Shift: Day
Job Posting: Oct 20, 2022, 4:57:18 PM
Salary: $60,997.04 - $82,871.36 Yearly
Bargaining Unit: 08-SEIU - Local 509 - Social/Rehabilitation
Hybrid Work Eligible: Yes
Executive Order #595: As a condition of employment, successful applicants will be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination or an approved exemption as of their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment. Applicants who receive an offer of employment who can provide documentation that the vaccine is medically contraindicated or who object to vaccination due to a sincerely held religious belief may make a request for exemption.
If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Marjie Lalli - 6175731254
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.