November 6, 2024

Urban League of Portland

Portland

FULL TIME

Program Specialist

JOB TITLE: Program Specialist
DEPARTMENT: Housing
REPORTS TO: Manager of Housing Programs
CLASSIFICATION: 1.0(FTE) 40 hours per week, mostly 8-5 with some evenings and weekends. East Portland and North Portland offices. Eligible for 10% telecommuting. Local travel- required.
SALARY: $25.50 - $33.50/hr. DOE - Non-Exempt
COVER LETTER REQUIREMENTS:
To be considered for this role, please submit a cover letter with your application that highlights the following:

Include a compelling letter detailing your suitability for this position and your passion for the mission of the Urban League of Portland.
Applicant must identify on the cover letter how they have “lived” personal experience leading to an understanding of the needs of African Americans experiencing homelessness.

SCOPE:
The Program Specialist has a responsibility to provide a wide range of wrap around services and build a rapport with community members who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability. The Program Specialist will provide a wide variety of stability services and advocacy for predominantly African American/ Black community members in need of safe, stable housing. The Program Specialist will work with program participants holistically and will help them access necessary social services, and act as a personal advocate for obtaining permanent housing. Program Specialist will provide individualized support throughout the entire journey by helping each community member overcome any barriers, assess their supports, and set achievable long and short-term goals for a holistic.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Participant Support and Service Delivery:

Provide comprehensive support to participants, addressing needs across various service areas (e.g., workforce development, housing, peer support).
Conduct assessments to determine participant needs and develop individualized service plans.
Offer guidance, coaching, and resources to help participants achieve their goals.
Provide supportive services in a culturally responsive, non-judgmental manner using a strengths-based framework of assertive engagement.

Coordinate intake and individualized needs assessment for community members. Work with participants to develop short- and long-term goals that address barriers to obtaining services/housing.
Some participants will require permanent support in retaining and maintaining housing, and some will need very short-term financial assistance, and housing specialists will assess these needs and make decisions on length and depth of service.

Cross Departmental Training and Collaboration:

Participate in cross-training programs to gain proficiency in multiple service areas.
Collaborate with colleagues across departments to ensure seamless service delivery.
Share knowledge and best practices with team members to foster a collaborative work environment.
Provide information, “hands-on” referrals, linkages, and personal advocacy to assist participants in accessing services and resources. Directly assist participants with obtaining necessary documents and services such as identification card, birth certificate, social security income, disability income.
Provide referrals (and follow-up) to community resources, health resources, and housing stabilization support. businesses/employers, and partners.
Work in partnership with Urban League Community Health workers, Employment Specialists, and Community Health navigators, including reporting and intake documentation to complete follow-up and retention services.

Community Outreach and Case Management

Conduct ongoing case management and community outreach to reach program participants through the following activities:
Complete short-term financial assistance application packets with program participants
Collaboration with internal resources, community outreach to establish new partnerships, other nonprofits serving business and low-income residents, and partner community-based organizations.
Provide one-on-one support through case management and career coaching activities, such as screening and assessment, housing stability navigation, resume writing/review, practice interviews, career counseling, training and skills, and job application assistance.
Provide support and coordination for group activities, such as Program Orientations, financial empowerment workshops, tenant education events, and other employment or housing-related support.

Monitor and evaluate each participant’s progression towards their goals and develop modifications to the plan as necessary.
Assist participants with housing applications, completing supportive and subsidized housing paperwork, surveying rental market for affordable housing, and advocating for community members with prospective landlords, property managers, and property owners.
Promote culturally responsive mediation between participants and medical, housing, and social service systems while building individual capacity to self-advocate. Provide holistic, culturally appropriate and accessible life skills education and information and responsive crisis intervention and prevention for participants.
Any other duties as assigned.

Case Management and Tracking

Track and input (in required database) individual information, services, and performance progress
Track and input (in required database) group activities such as program and number of attendees
Track and input (in required database) outreach to partners and service providers, such as activities, number of participants, and outcome
Track community connections and develop community resources
Track and input regular reporting information.
Maintain all related data tracking systems, including case notes, stability matrix, and complete HMIS entries. Prepare related reports including outcomes, successes and challenges, including generating data for monthly reports

Relationship Management

Maintain a relationship with funding partners, through activities such as: participating in monthly, ad hoc, and Program Navigator team meetings as needed and active participation with strategic and focused outreach.
Report and monitor deliverables (including quarterly reports, success stories, and expenditures).
Contribute to the overall agency efforts by completing other duties as assigned.