Problem Solving Specialist - Dolores Street Community Services : Job Details

Job Announcement

Problem Solving Specialist

Position: Problem Solving Specialist

Program: Mission Action Access Point

Reports To: Clinical Care Coordinator

Compensation: $24 Per Hour, Full-time. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, life insurance, flexible spending account, commuter benefits, paid holiday, paid sick leave, generous vacation with Summer Recess and Winter Recess, and 401(K) with employer matching.

To Apply: Resumes submitted without a cover letter will not be considered

About the Organization:

Mission Action has been growing rapidly, therefore, we have created a lot of new positions in different programs. Please consider joining our team to serve the communities.

Mission Action nurtures individual wellness and cultivates collective power among low-income and immigrant communities to create a more just society. As a multi-issue, multi-strategy organization, we work to improve lives on an individual level as well as affect broader social change by engaging in advocacy and community organizing. We work together across programs to address homelessness, lack of affordable housing, and to support immigrant rights in order to meet the complex needs of our communities and collectively address the root causes of suffering and injustice. To learn more about our organization's model and impact, we encourage you to watch the following video.

About the Program:

Access Point in the Mission District is part of the Adult Coordinated Entry System and in partnership with the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH). The purpose of the Coordinated Entry System is to ensure that all people experiencing housing instability are identified, assessed, and matched to appropriate housing opportunities. Through problem solving and housing navigation services, Coordinated Entry seeks to minimize homelessness and help individuals move into safe, stable, and dignified housing.

Coordinated Entry incorporates a system-wide housing first approach and uses standardized tools, assessment, and referral processes to determine and secure the most appropriate response to each client's immediate and long-term housing needs.

Position Description:

Problem Solving provides opportunities to prevent people from entering the Homelessness Response System and to redirect people who can resolve their homelessness without the need for ongoing support. It is an approach that empowers households facing a housing crisis to explore and identify possible solutions outside of the Homelessness Response System (i.e. solutions that do not rely on shelter or housing resources).

The Problem Solving Specialist will provide one-on-one support, assistance, and resources to individuals experiencing homelessness. The Specialist will work closely with the Licensed Care Coordinator and Housing Navigators to provide coordinated assessment and services to clients. The position will work primarily out of the Access Point based in the Mission and will be asked to visit other Mission Action sites as needed.

Key Responsibilities:

• Screen and assess single adults experiencing homelessness using standardized tools, prioritization, and referral protocols.
• Using a collaborative, client-centered, and trauma-informed approach, support single adults in avoiding entry to shelter or the experience of street homelessness by identifying creative solutions to exiting homelessness.
• Analyze information, problems, situations, and procedures in order to define any barriers to a Problem Solving resolution.
• Engage participants in problem solving conversations to assess for additional resources available within the participant's own network.
• Recognizing each service seeker's unique situation, support individuals to look for creative solutions that can be quickly implemented.
• Provide crisis intervention assistance as needed.
• Based on the client assessment and using the ONE System, make prioritized referrals into housing programs and internal Mission Action Housing Navigation services.
• Conduct immediate and long-term follow-up to ascertain the effectiveness of Problem Solving activities.
• Keep accurate records and enter required data in ONE System.
• Provide professional, accessible, and culturally relevant support, advocacy, and information to program participants.
• Work within and promote the integrated services team model in an environment dedicated to harm reduction, recovery, and wellness.
• Serve as liaison to community-based and governmental service partners as requested.
• Participate in staff training, staff meetings, and development activities as directed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Other Organizational Duties:

• Conduct business in accordance with the Mission Action Employee Handbook, exercising sound judgment and serving the best interests of the agency and the community.
• Commit yourself to treating each community member with respect and dignity.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• At least 2 years of direct service experience in case management, counseling, or a similar field.
• Demonstrated knowledge/experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Bilingual (written and oral) in Spanish preferred.
• Experience with crisis intervention, establishing boundaries, conflict resolution, and de-escalation.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Proficiency with basic computer programs including Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel. Knowledge of the ONE System preferred.
• An understanding of intersectionality and the needs of communities impacted by homelessness in San Francisco, particularly in the Mission District.
• A strong commitment to housing justice, as well as inclusive and multi-cultural programming.

Mission Action (www.dscs.org) is an equal-opportunity employer which values lived experience and seeks applicants of the greatest diversity possible. We encourage people of color, women, older people, members of the LGBTQ community, and individuals with disabilities, including HIV and community members who grew up in the Mission District. Pursuant to the SF Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment, qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.