Prevention Specialist

Job Title: Prevention Specialist (Social Services/Case Management)Limited Duration through April 2027

Group: Community Programs for Social Justice

Reports to: Community Programs Manager

FLSA Status: Non- Exempt

Hours/Week: Full time (40 hours/week) generally 8-5 M-F

Compensation: $21.87- $25.96/hour depending on experience

Benefits: Generous benefits package; see below for details

Primary Work Site: Gateway Office Portland OR

Want to help make a differenceOur Just Future (OJF) counters the forces that keep people and communities in poverty by building relationships and assets that create opportunity - today and for future generations.

We partnerwith people and communities impacted by poverty so they can achieve long-term housing and economic security. We investin affordable housing and community assets that contribute to strong inclusive neighborhoods. We advocatewith our community for policies and investments that expand housing and economic opportunity eliminate wealth inequality and end poverty.

East Portland/East Multnomah County Oregon is our home and the heart of our investments advocacy and programs.

Our Just Future envisions vibrant healthy neighborhoods where all people can share in the security hopes and advantages of a thriving supportive community.

Our Just Future operates as a nimble financially strong organization driven by our passion strategic goals andguiding principles.

Diversity inclusion andequity are fundamental values for Our Just Futures both internally and externally. OJF has an Anti-Oppression Diversity Committee which serves as a sounding board for new internal policies and procedures to make sure that were taking into account diversity and inclusion. It also helps with diversity-related projects such as coordinating staff diversity trainings and providing ongoing input into our equity work.

Our Just Future is working to end homelessness and poverty in our community because every one of us deserves a safe place to call home.

What Our Just Future Can Offer You: We offer a comprehensive array of benefits in support of your physical emotional and financial well-being. A few highlights:

• Employer paid premiums for employee health insurance.
• Generous paid time off 13 paid holidays a floating birthday holiday and the ability to maintain a great work/life balance.
• Employer paid premiums for short-term and long-term disability insurance and life insurance.
• Access to an employee assistance program.
• Flexible spending accounts for health and for dependent care.
• Professional development opportunities including employee driven committees and monthly optional staff workshops.
• Access to wellness initiatives and resources including things such as walking groups weekly yoga classes and workshops on stress management self-care and healthy living.
• Opportunity to contribute to a 401k retirement plan with a 2% employer match after three months of employment.
• A six-week paid sabbatical after every seven years of consecutive employment with OJF.

SUMMARY

The Prevention Specialist will support households who are at risk of homelessness by providing short-term financial assistance and light-touch case management. This position works specifically with households enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) who are eligible for rent and utility assistance through Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) funding. This fundingauthorized through a federal Medicaid Waiverallows for up to six months of homelessness prevention support to housing stabilization for eligible households.

The Prevention Specialist will assess household needs determine eligibility for HRSN benefits and coordinate financial support in alignment with program guidelines. They will also provide limited case management helping families access other resources as needed. This position will deliver services that are culturally responsive within the framework of Assertive Engagement and Trauma Informed Care to help households achieve housing stability. The Prevention Specialist will work in collaboration with the HRSN OJF team OJF Resident Services and CareOregon.

DUTIES & RESPONSBILITIES

Essential

• Conduct an in-depth eligibility and assessment with applicants.
• Collaborate with households to develop individualized client-driven housing plan that supports housing stability and retention goals.
• Provide financial support for rent and utilities working with each household to determine the best use of funding available to them within guidelines of Oregon Administrative Rules for their benefits.
• Offer quick flexible financial intervention to avoid eviction or other adverse action.
• Apply program funds appropriately to each household based on their housing plan.
• Utilize Assertive Engagement and Trauma Informed Care skills in a culturally responsive approach to effectively move households forward with the goals they set for themselves.
• Negotiate payment plans and other solutions with landlords.
• Provide tenant advocacy and be responsive to landlords as concerns arise in order to support households in successfully stabilizing in their housing.
• Use creativity and resourcefulness to ensure participants are aware of all community resources available for them and advocate with other service providers for the needs of the household as appropriate.
• Build and maintain constructive collaborative relationships with landlords social service providers CareOregon and OJF Resident Services.
• Provide skill building and basic education in landlord-tenant rights and responsibilities.

• Provide crisis intervention and management.
• Provide transition planning for participants who are exiting services.

• Use the Unite Us/Connect Oregon platform to submit and receive referrals for HRSN services
• Record and keep track of all expenses that are spent on behalf of participants.
• Track and report information required by healthcare funding source for billing including budget information services provided and time spent providing services to ensure billing needs are met
• Organize and maintain files up to standards required by the funders.

• Maintain accurate complete up-to-date documentation of service activities using OJF procedures forms and data reporting systems. Submit paperwork in a timely manner.

Secondary

• Participate in regular supervision check-ins monthly department staff meetings and all staff trainings.
• Participate in community meetings/outreach events as appropriate including but not limited to information and referral and interagency partnerships.
• Other duties as assigned. It is impossible to predict the many requests and assignments that can and will be made in this position. Flexibility and a cooperative spirit are important for the successful operation of Our Just Future.

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge and abilities required.

Knowledge of:

• Social economic and systemic issues creating poverty working successfully with practices and techniques related to people with low income to achieve greater housing stability.
• Community resources and agencies providing social services needed by homeless and low-income population.
• The effects of trauma and how trauma can impact families experiencing homelessness and poverty.
• Mediating difficult situations and de-escalation techniques.

Ability to:

• Partner with participants to identify their strengths needs options and effective solutions.
• Non-judgmentally elicit information and help problem solve around sensitive issues.
• Provide support and resources to households.
• Empower and support participants in life choices and change.
• Knowledge of and/or willingness to learn and apply an Assertive Engagement model of providing services and incorporating Trauma-Informed principles to services rendered.
• Ability to engage in difficult conversations with households in an effort to maintain their housing and move forward in meeting self-selected goals.
• Ability to explain the implications of lease violations and assist households in developing corrective action plans.
• Navigate complex systems and adapt to changing rules and practices.
• Juggle multiple priorities and being able to multitask efficiently and effectively.
• Develop and maintain productive working relationships within Our Just Future with public and private agencies the general public and participants.
• Be culturally sensitive and competent when working with diverse populations.
• Prepare and maintain clear accurate complete and timely records and reports.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and professional boundaries with all households served.
• Understand and follow complex written and oral instructions rules and procedures.
• Work independently and be a vital and contributing part of a team.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Any combination of education and work experience in a Social Services setting with case management totaling two years or a Bachelors Degree in social service/social sciences field with at least six (6) months of case management experience.
• Experience with crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques.
• Experience with community networking and resource development.
• Experience delivering services in a culturally responsive approach using Assertive Engagement techniques
• Bi-Lingual/Bi-Cultural preferred but not required.
• English fluency required written and spoken.
• General computer and word processing skills and willingness to advance computer skills.
• Experience and intermediate skills with Microsoft Office (Word Excel Outlook)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; and stoop kneel crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. In office work environment is person meetings with households in the office community or in their home is expected.

TRANSPORTATION

This position requires working in the community with the ability to get around timely flexibly and effectively to meet the needs of participants. A current drivers license reliable and consistent access to an automobile and current auto insurance carrying 100/300 limits of liability.