Homeless Program Jobs in Pennsylvania (NOW HIRING)

If hired for this position, you would be an employee of our partner agency, Community Family Advocates working onsite at Allegheny County DHS.

Summary

This is a professional position within Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Community Services. The Homeless Resource Coordinator will work very closely with people seeking homeless housing services, homeless service providers, DHS’ Coordinated Entry Unit (Allegheny Link & OCS Field Unit), and the larger provider community. This responsibility and goal of this position will be to connect and engage with potential homeless program participants to the most appropriate housing intervention to ensure the transition to self-sufficiency. Additionally, this position will shorten homeless program vacancies to the greatest extent possible by ensuring that referrals are appropriate, detailed, and timely.

This position would require a specialized knowledge of the programs and services throughout the Allegheny County Homeless Continuum of Care (CoC).  This high level of knowledge can be gained through experience in this position, but experience with programs serving those experiencing homelessness is preferred.  This position needs a strong background in trauma informed engagement approaches, as daily responsibilities would include working closely with both individuals accessing services and service providers.

The position will actively pursue collaboration and knowledge expansion in cross-system development to ensure integration is happening across all levels within DHS and the larger provider community. 

This position is currently staffed within a formalized hybrid working model with remote work and in office work. It is required and expected the Homeless Resource Coordinator work in office at least 2 days per week with the potential of an additional day when staffing requires it.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for managing housing matches following the Coordinated Entry prioritization process
  • Outreach and engagement with those experiencing homelessness to make offers for homeless housing programs
  • Engages with those accessing homeless services with the highest standard of dignity and respect
• Maintain strong and effective relationships and communication with CoC partners and providers.
  • Collaborative communication with housing service providers on progress is a crucial component to increase the likelihood of a successful enrollment into a CoC homeless housing program.
• Acts as an ambassador for and follows the Allegheny County Continuum of Care’s guiding principles, philosophies, and best practices.
• Utilize information and insight gained from CoC and community partners to help facilitate change and progress within the Coordinated Entry matching process.
• Maintain client files according to DHS policy and contract requirements, including thorough documentation in HMIS, Synergy, and Allegheny Link IT applications
• Assists with and monitors data collection and statistical reporting as needed
• Participate in weekly case conferencing and vacancy management related meetings as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Additional Responsibilities

From time to time the employee will be required to perform additional tasks and duties as required by the employer.        

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to develop relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders (direct service providers, health and public benefits agencies, schools, health care, government)
• Effective written and oral communication skills
• Strong organizational skills that reflect the ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks with excellent attention to detail.
• Demonstrated proactive approaches to problem-solving with strong decision-making capability
• Forward looking thinker, who actively seeks opportunities and proposes solutions
• Committed to best practices related to Housing First, Trauma Informed Care, and Harm Reduction
• Demonstrated ability to manage processes and projects on time and to achieve outcomes
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects, facilitate group process and decision-making
• Demonstrated ability to review data and report on findings, verbally and in written form
• Knowledge of and ability to utilize web-based and PC software, specifically Microsoft Teams, Word, Forms, Excel, and Outlook to develop reports and document services provided
• Knowledge of local resources and how they are accessed for successful assistance

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, consistent with applicable law.

Education/Experience Requirements

Master’s degree in a field of study related to social services.

-OR-

Bachelor’s degree in a field of study related to social services, plus at least two (2) years’ work experience related to the social services field.

-OR-

Any equivalent combination of education and experience which meets the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in working with people experiencing homelessness or homeless services, plus the ability to successfully manage challenging situations, experience with Coordinated Entry and Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), as well as a proven ability to support partner agencies working within a complex system, are preferred knowledge, skills and abilities of this position.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Act 33, 34 and FBI clearances.

-AND-

Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle, or other form of transportation for work related meetings.

Why DHS?

DHS is diverse, but we strive to be even more inclusive. This includes equity in hiring and advancement, as well as in unleashing the creativity and ideas of staff at every level of DHS. It has strong, assertive leaders. We do not hire yes-people.

You can make a big impact here. We stand out as one of the best human services organizations in the country. But we need problem-solvers, innovators, and terrific leaders to make sure we are smart in how we use our funding so that we reach the people who most need our help to make their lives better.

“DHS strives to be the kind of place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come to grow and do their best work.”

-From the organization’s statement on Equity and Inclusion

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER -M/F/V/D