INTAKE AND ADVOCACY SPECIALIST

Intake & Advocacy Specialist

STATUS: Full-time, Permanent

FLSA: Exempt

REPORTS TO: Housing Administrator / Director

SUPERVISES: N/A

WORKING HOURS:

The Intake Specialist is an exempt position that provides central intake screenings and assessments, benefits assistance, resource and referral services, and rapid rehousing services to individuals who are in need of housing resources. This position has regular business hours but may require work in early mornings, evenings, and weekends. May be required to perform after-hours standby services as needed or some evening work, especially during the winter shelter season.

SUMMARY:

The Intake Specialist administers all intake and assessment processes for Housing and provides benefits navigation and housing advocacy. The Intake Specialist is responsible for admissions and referrals of clients from Department of Corrections, County Referred, Self-Referral, and Indian Health Services. The specialist's duties include utilizing the Placement Criteria Assessment and Referral Guidelines to assist citizens with their housing needs; this includes initial referrals and assistance with citizens in establishing benefits, accessing healthcare, insurance, scheduling of medical, dental, optical, and psychiatric services; coordinating with referral sources; completing orientation and intake; registering; and referring to other services that are more applicable to meet citizen's needs; and rapid rehousing services that includes emergency stabilization and managing and creation of the landlord network. The Intake Specialist assigns clients to appropriate services through housing including but not limited to: Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP), Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP), Bringing Families Home (BFH), Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH), HomeSafe, and Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHSDA). The specialist is required to compile and file all reporting statistics and funding reports in timeframes provided. This position is responsible for providing a culturally sensitive atmosphere for citizens seeking assistance from the department.

Screening and Referral Responsibilities

1. Coordinates and handles the dissemination, receipt, review and acceptance of all applications for DCR Housing programs and services.
2. Utilize the Placement Criteria Assessment and Referral Guidelines to determine eligibility of services.
3. Work with Systems Partners in responding to referrals and follow-up.
4. Ensure pre-admission criteria are met prior to admittance or disbursement of funds.
5. Assist citizen with benefit enrollment and accessing medical, dental, optical, psychiatric services, insurance, and other tribal and state programs.
6. Assists applicants in completing intake screening which includes conducting applicant interviews.
7. Creates and maintains waiting lists and conducts annual application updates so as to determine applicant waiting list position.
8. Coordinate with Director, Administrator and other staff as needed on all potential intakes.
9. Refer patients who do not meet eligibility or appropriateness for services to another service provider or agency that can better meet their needs.
10. Provide Rapid Rehousing Services that includes emergency stabilization and managing and creation of the landlord network.

Administrative Responsibilities

1. Register all clients in the electronic database system and keep up to date and accurate information.
2. Work collaboratively with the grant manager, funder, administration on expenses and claims processing for grant related funding.
3. Compile required reports that may include grant reports; monthly department reports; administrative reporting; etc..
4. Compile statistical data and reporting as needed and required.
5. Work with securing authorization for payment for services and referrals.
6. Establish a provider list and insure quality of such providers (i.e. rental management, landlords, service providers, contractors).
7. Ensure work orders are assigned to proper contractor/provider and payment is made timely.
8. Assist with renting, showing, walk-through, and discharge of tenants for tribal housing units.
9. Conducts pre-occupancy/pre-assistance housing inspections to ensure that the unit meets minimum housing standards prior to move in or prior to acceptance into the appropriate assistance program.
10. Establish monthly educational in-person and/or virtual presentations on topics of interest to the Department and tenants or program participants.
11. Assist with scheduling and hosting of trainings for staff; coalition meetings, and other key-stakeholder meetings as needed.

General Requirements

1. Assist the Director, Administrator, and Grants Manager as directed.
2. Attends and actively participates in all team and staff meetings and supervision/consultation.
3. Ensures effective, professional communications within and outside of the Department setting and effectively resolves routine problems relating to tenant/client services.
4. Creates and maintains effective interpersonal/working relationships with other employees and tenant/client to support coordination and provision of services.
5. Listens to tenant/client complaints and concerns and works to resolve them; refers tenant/client to appropriate manager if unable to resolve issues to their satisfaction.
6. Ensures tenant/client confidentiality; demonstrates complete discretion when discussing information.
7. Prepare daily log entries, incident reports and other required paperwork to ensure the program meets the standards for funding and audit compliance.
8. Utilizes computer to record tenant/client information, compile data and prepare and submit routine reports as needed.
9. Maintain Competencies in CPR, First Aid, MAP, agency and divisional policy and procedures as well as other required competencies.
10. Develops and maintains skills through seminars, workshops, or other forms of training/education.
11. May include transporting, travel, and facilitating meetings and seminars, and other such duties.
12. Ensure integration and incorporation of tribal culture and values to create a welcoming and culturally congruent office atmosphere.
13. Other related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

There are no direct reports for supervisory responsibilities for this position, but the position does require oversight, guidance, and direction for direct service providers.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required.

1. Bachelors Degree in Social Work, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Human Services or related field is required.
2. Previous experience as a screener, intake worker, social worker, case manager, or care coordinator in a public or private agency is preferred.
3. At least one year of relevant experience and a demonstrated track record in a similar related area.
4. Honesty, accountability, and transparency with a commitment to social justice.
5. Exemplary interpersonal skills: ability to collaborate effectively with culturally diverse staff with demonstrated poise, tact, integrity, and professionalism.
6. Excellent crisis de-escalation and communication skills are required.
7. Demonstrated intellectual independence and initiative and willingness to learn new skills.
8. Must be able to maintain a high degree of confidentiality concerning all matters about the Tribe.
9. Extensive knowledge and experience working with Native American communities, culture, customs and cultural law.

TRIBAL AND INDIAN PREFERENCE

Under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. § 450e (b)), the Dry Creek Rancheria applies the policy of "Tribal and Indian Preference" when filling vacancies. Tribal and Indian Preference shall be given to qualified applicants who are enrolled members of a federally recognized Indian tribe or band. The Dry Creek Rancheria reserves the right to require applicants claiming to be American Indian or Alaskan Native a copy of their Certificate of Tribal Enrollment or Certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaska Native Blood (CDIB) card.

EDUCATION:

1. Bachelors Degree in Social Work, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Human Services or related field is required or equivalent work experience may be considered in-lieu of formal education.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

1. Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English. Ability to speak Pomo is highly desired.

1. Excellent oral and written communication skills are essential to the successful conduct of this position.

1. Ability to write accurate, grammatically correct, polished reports and business correspondence.
2. Must be able to speak with the public professionally.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

1. Must have basic math skills (ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide).

REASONING ABILITY:

1. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
2. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
3. Ability to process detailed work and requests for information or assistance in a timely manner.
4. Ability to apply regulatory and procedure doctrine, concepts, and policy to practical situations.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, REGISTRATIONS:

1. Must possess a valid California Driver's License with a clean driving record and be insurable under the Tribe's insurance policy.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

1. Must be able to sit or stand for extended periods.

1. Must be able to lift and carry up to twenty-five (25) pounds.
2. Must be able to respond to visual and aural cues.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here represent those employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

1. This is a fast-paced, highly diverse work environment, and the position requires the ability to remain flexible and get along with all personality types.

1. Must be able to manage several priorities simultaneously and meet deadlines.
2. Must be able to respond calmly to customer concerns and questions.

Dry Creek Rancheria Housing Department, in conjunction with Human Resources, reserves the right to make changes to this job description at any time.

A PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG TEST, FINGERPRINT, AND BACKGROUND CHECK IS REQUIRED

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