Job Description
Job Description
Housing Specialist
Full-Time
Everyone has a story –a future YOU can help write. Be a part of the story by joining a leader and innovator in Case Management Services — Now Hiring in Vermont!
For over four decades, The Columbus Organization has been at the forefront of case management, driving meaningful change and delivering compassionate, person-centered care across the nation. As a national leader in field-based case management, Columbus is proud to lead the way in Vermont with our innovative approach to supporting individuals and families. We are experts in helping you do what you do best!
Our work is grounded in cultural understanding, health equity, and a deep respect for individual choice. We call this the Peace of Mind Solution — a promise to provide care with purpose, passion, and a focus on helping people lead meaningful lives.
We are excited to expand our services in Vermont – supporting individuals in planning, accessing, and overseeing the medical, social, educational, and community services they need to achieve their meaningful-life goals.
We’re hiring Case Manager Supervisors now!
If you’re driven by purpose and want to make a lasting impact in your community, we invite you to join our team.
About the Company
The Columbus Organization is a team committed to your professional success. As a leading national provider of healthcare professionals focused on serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and mental health challenges, we invite you to take your career to a whole new level with The Columbus Organization.
Benefits Offered:
- Cigna Medical/Dental/Prescription Insurance
- Unlimited personal time off “PTO”
- Reimbursement for License/Certification
- Vision Care
- Continuing Education Allowance
- Life Insurance with Buy-Up Option
- Accident/Hospital/Cancer Plans
- Professional Liability Insurance
- Health Advocacy Program
- Short/Long Term Disability
- 401k Retirement Savings Plan
- Flexible Spending Account
Position Summary:
The Housing Specialist’s primary responsibility is to ensure program individuals avoid homelessness whenever possible, experience a smooth transition from homelessness to permanent supportive housing and/or permanent housing. Work includes apartment and site monitoring, community relations issues, and liaison related contacts, submitting all required county, state, and federal documentation, as well as maintaining all documents related to the client records. The Housing Specialist will provide advocacy and linkage with community resources to support success in housing. A significant aspect of work is to coach, mentor, and demonstrate building relationships with neighbors, landlords, and community members, as well as provide education, consultation, support, and coaching on the role, rights, and responsibilities of tenancy for individuals. The position works closely with the Case Manager, Case Manager Supervisor, and the State Program Administrator to embody and share vision, advance projects, and reinforce priorities within the State.
Essential Functions:
All Housing Specialist activities involving the individual may be inclusive of family members, guardians, and/or other members of a support team, dependent upon legal relationships and individual situations and needs. The Housing Specialist responsibilities include the following:
- Acts as a liaison and fosters effective working relationships with VT’s Designated Agencies (DAs), state agencies, individuals, and other community agencies to support individuals with disabilities and brain injuries.
- Always maintains confidentiality and integrity of the company, complying with HIPAA and Columbus Community Services Policies.
- Maintains comprehensive electronic case records, summaries, statistical and narrative reports and completed required forms in accordance with state standards.
- Represent the program and agency in a professional manner and maintain positive community relationships in a proactive manner.
- Be the liaison between case managers and community contacts such as but not be limited to referral/funding sources, children and youth agencies, landlords, etc.
- Arrange for individuals to attend housing appointments for the purpose of looking at the available apartment and assessing whether the apartment or unit is suitable for the client.
- Provides weekly reports documenting the housing status of all clients currently being monitored.
- Assist individuals by identifying appropriate subsidy programs and facilitate the application and qualification process.
- Maintains and regularly updates a data bank of resources for housing referrals.
- Identifies apartments, buildings and/or real estate agencies for individual referrals.
- Maintains contact with Vermont State’s Housing Authority, public housing, and Section 8 Housing. Request applications and submit them with letter of support for assessment and possible certification.
- Networks with landlords and rental management agencies to obtain affordable housing and provide education regarding the benefits of supporting individuals with IDD and brain injuries.
- Participate in educational sessions, agency meetings and other professional training as assigned.
- All other duties assigned by the State Program Administrator or other authorized parties.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
Travel:
Travel is required. Travel can be local during the business day, and some out-of-area and overnight travel may be expected.
Required Experience:
- Have an associate’s degree or higher in behavioral, social sciences or a related field OR a minimum of 1 year experience in health or human services support, which includes interviewing individuals and assessing personal, health, employment, social, or financial needs in accordance with program requirements.
- Six months’ experience in case management which includes assessing, planning, developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating options and services to meet an individual’s human service needs.
- Six months’ experience in making recommendations as part of an individual’s service assessment such as clinical treatment, counseling, or determining eligibility for health or human services/benefits.
- Six months’ experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies & procedures. Six months’ experience in using an automated information system to enter, update, modify, delete retrieve/inquire and report on data.
- Six months’ experience in narrative report writing.
- Have demonstrated ability to establish and maintain supportive relationships and experience and competence in supporting individuals and their families.
- Have demonstrated experience and skills in conducting person-centered assessments and service plan development.
- High level of initiative, self-direction and accountability for actions required.
- Performance of principal duties and responsibilities requires the ability to travel if needed.
- Must reside in Vermont.
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