Shelter Diversion Specialist

Diversion Specialist

Reports to Job Role: Director of Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing

FLSA: Exempt

Employee Factor: 40

R/S/T/O/I: Regular

Level: Team Member

Descriptive Summary

The Diversion Specialist is responsible for managing the shelter diversion services for single adults and families who are referred for homeless services at the Embry Rucker Community Shelter (ERCS). The Diversion Specialist provides services to stabilize households in their current housing or help them move into new housing without entering the emergency shelter system or otherwise experiencing homelessness. The Diversion Specialist provides support to help households resolve their immediate housing crisis and access ongoing sources of support in the community to remain housed. The Diversion Specialist must possess a patient trauma-informed approach to service delivery using an equity lens. The Diversion Specialist ensures that services are equitable and delivered with integrity in accordance with the Agency Mission Vision and Values. A candidate that is bilingual in English/Spanish is essential. A candidate with the ability to use ones lived personal experience of housing instability to help assess system barriers is a plus.

Key Performance Indicators

• Manages referrals from Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) to provide shelter diversion services for individuals and families.
• Assists households in identifying a safe alternative to entering emergency shelter or the experience of unsheltered homelessness.
• Identifies which if any unmet need will help the household secure safe alternative to shelter or unsheltered homelessness.
• Engages household in a focused problem-solving conversation and connection to supports.
• Connects household to services including financial assistance (security or utility deposits utility payments and moving cost assistance) short- or medium-term rental assistance housing search and placement landlord-tenant mediation and case management to ensure household is referred to person-centered support services.
• Refers individuals to the Housing Locator when appropriate for housing search and placement.
• Documents all diversion efforts prior to referring a program participant to shelter or the street outreach program.
• Maintains effective partnerships with Fairfax County Office to Prevention and End Homelessness (OPEH) the Fairfax County Health Department the Fairfax County Community Services Board (CSB) Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) Department of Family Services (DFS) the Fairfax County Department of Adult and Aging and Veterans Administration (VA) to ensure clients receive holistic integrated care management across Cornerstones.
• Participates in all agency and county meetings regarding intake procedures and services.
• Attends team meetings site meetings and required agency meetings and trainings.
• Uses automated technology including HMIS and hard copy files to maintain update and report on case data goal attainment and outcomes in a timely manner.
• Work flexible hours including evenings and weekends as required.
• Performs other related duties and responsibilities as required.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge Skills and Abilities)

• Bachelors degree in an applicable human services field or commensurate experience with homeless and/or at-risk populations. Masters Degree preferred.
• MSW plus two years post-Masters degree a plus.
• Bi-lingual in English/Spanish.

• Two years of experience in homeless services residential services and/or housing is required.
• Experience working with vulnerable individuals including people with mental health and/or substance abuse disabilities is required.
• Requires knowledge and belief in Housing First and Rapid Re-Housing philosophy and strategies.
• Knowledge of current homelessness strategies and priorities Trauma-Informed Care Housing First Equity essential.
• Knowledge or understanding of tenants rights and responsibilities as well as strengths based case management.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Ability to engage and work collaboratively with others.
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to use HMIS to establish and maintain case records and to facilitate data collection.
• Ability to schedule and manage workload sufficiently to meet deadlines.
• Ability to learn process information prioritize competing priorities and make sound and reasoned decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to complete tasks while navigating frequent interruptions.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights and weekends.
• Candidate must be able to lift items weighing 10-20 pounds.
• Candidate must possess a valid drivers license reliable transportation and good driving record.
• Candidate must be able to drive 15-passenger van.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish required. Bilingual in English/Arabic or English/French is a plus.

Attitude

• Attentive to constraints of time and funds in setting stretch goals
• Respectful of staff volunteers funders and clients
• Forward thinker considering not just today but what are the implications for tomorrow
• Collaborative leader working with others individually and in teams

Work Environment

• The work is performed in an emergency shelter environment
• Some work is performed outdoors in both the winter and summer.
• Occasional driving or personal or Cornerstones vehicle.

Physical Requirements

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

• Prolonged sitting and a desk and working on a computer.
• Regular in person interaction with the public clients and stakeholders.
• Handle or feel objects tools or controls.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 15-20 pounds
• Occasional navigation of stairs ramps ladders.
• Nosie level in the work environment is usually low to moderate
• Must be able to safely operate a company vehicle.