Coordinated Entry Specialist
Description
Position Title: Coordinated Entry Specialist
Program/Dept: Coordinated Entry
Reports to: Program Director
Classification: Regular, Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Compensation: $27.30 per hour DOEE + Full Benefits Package
About Us: Founded in San Mateo, California, in 1964, Caminar’s thriving programs and services serve more than 14,000 individuals annually across San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Francisco, Solano, and Butte Counties. Our nonprofit organization’s portfolio of behavioral health and supportive services empowers and supports individuals and families to move toward resilience, wellness, and independence. And we are expanding our capacity to address the increasingly complex needs of individuals and families.
Position Summary: Coordinated Entry Specialist provides assessment and referral services under Housing First Solano’s Coordinated Entry System. Coordinated Entry provides a standardizes approach to the comprehensive assessment of the housing and service needs of homeless individuals and families and referral of such persons to appropriate available resources that are needed to end their homelessness. Homeless individuals and families as well as highly vulnerable individuals and families who are homeless are its principal users.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
- Perform system access point assessments; facilitate prioritized client referrals to emergency shelter, housing, and services; and publicize the availability of housing and/or services provided by Housing First Solano.
- Acquire and maintain current knowledge about provider programs and subpopulation needs throughout Solano County
- Work in the Cities of Benicia, Dixon, Fairfield, Rio Vista, Suisun, Vacaville, and Vallejo, and the County of Solano to ensure that the Coordinated Entry System is easily accessible to individuals seeking housing or services; and ensure that the system is advertised as that its availability is known to persons experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
- Use the VI-SPDAT and conduct client assessments from multiple locations across the county.
- Enter data into HMIS and ensure client privacy is maintained.
- Ensure that privacy, safety, and client choice in housing, services, and location are optimized through Coordinated Entry for individuals and families fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, including those who are seeking shelter or services from nonvictim service providers. Confirm that data about these populations is not entered into HMIS but rather kept in a private database, and that any data released about this population is aggregate only.
- Produce and update by-name list and facilitate case conferencing meetings for referrals of clients off the by-name list.
- Coordinate and recruit more providers to participate in the coordinated entry system, particularly among the fait-based community and those who serve families and youth.
- Attend meetings of the Coordinated Entry Work Group and CoC General Membership and present progress reports as requested.
- Drive own or agency vehicle to destinations, as required; documenting and reporting mileage according to agency procedures, so that services can be provided in a timely manner; comply with agency vehicle policy at all times.
- Perform all job functions in cooperation with the supervisor, other staff, and other providers involved in the service effort, including sharing information regarding all important interventions.
- Participate in staff meetings and attend other meetings, as assigned.
- Attend and complete training as assigned and in a timely manner.
- Participate in promoting a safe, healthy, and clean working environment at all times consistent with applicable laws, industry standards and the agency’s own Health & Safety Program.
- Complete and submit accurate time sheets and absence reports to the Program Director in a timely manner.
- Actively nurture and advance the cooperative, harmonious and teamwork-oriented environment Caminar strives to promote within the workplace; Through daily efforts and presentation promote an atmosphere of dignity and respect in line with the organization’s mission, philosophy, policies, and procedures.
- Perform other related duties, responsibilities and special projects as assigned.
Experience, Qualifications, Skills & Abilities:
- Must be passionate about Caminar's mission.
- BA/BS in a social work-related field. Absent BA/BS, a minimum two-years (4000 hours) of verifiable program experience in the provision of direct services to homeless individuals is required.
- Demonstrated experience in a program serving homeless individuals strongly preferred.
- Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment including email and Internet navigation required. Experience with Homeless Management Information Systems strongly preferred. Experience with web-based time and attendance and staff training and development system strongly preferred.
- Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality, a professional demeanor and to represent the organization in a positive manner at all times.
- Must demonstrate acceptable level of maturity, good judgment, and emotional stability.
- Problem solving—identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
- Customer Service—manages difficult customer situations, responds promptly to customer needs, and solicits customer feedback to improve service.
- Oral and written communication—speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, demonstrates group presentation skills, and conducts meetings. Completes written progress notes and other formal communications skillfully and professionally.
- Quality management—looks for ways to improve and promote quality and demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
- Planning/organizing—prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently and develops realistic action plans.
- Adaptability—adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands and can deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
- Dependability—is consistently at work and on time, follows instructions, responds to management direction, and solicits feedback to improve performance.
- Safety and security—actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures and uses equipment and materials properly.
- Must be a dynamic self-starter with demonstrated ability to work independently on special projects.
Physical, Environmental and Mental Requirements:
- Physical: Occasionally required to push/pull objects up to 50 lbs., and to lift/carry objects up to 25 lbs. Frequently required to perform moderately difficult manipulative tasks such as typing, writing, etc. Must be able to walk, stand, sit for extended periods.
- Sensory: Frequently required to read documents, written reports, and plans. Must be able to distinguish normal sounds with some background noise, as in answering the phone, interacting with residents and staff, etc. Must be able to speak clearly and understand/be understood using the English language.
- Cognitive: Frequently required to concentrate on moderate detail with constant interruption. Must be able to attend to a task/function for 20-45 minutes at a time. Frequently required to understand and relate to specific ideas, several at a time. Must be able to remember multiple tasks/assignments given to self and others over a period of several days.
- Environmental Conditions: Frequent exposure to varied office and mixed (residential/office) environments. Occasional exposure to toxins and poisonous substances, dust, and loud noises.
- Equipment: Frequently required to use a computer, phone, and fax machine.
Special Requirements:
- Must be able to meet and receive a criminal records clearance, as required by Title XXII, other licensing regulations, and Caminar practices.
- This position requires frequent driving. A valid California driver license, reliable personal vehicle, current personal auto insurance as required by law, and an MVR sufficient to obtain and reasonably maintain insurability under agency auto liability policies are all essential job requirements.
- Must be able to pass post offer, pre-employment medical and drug tests as required under State Community Care Licensing regulations and/or agency policies.
- A personal cell phone with reliable service and, if applicable, a data plan to use for business purposes.
- May be required to obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR certification.
Caminar and our divisions transformed the lives of nearly 17,000 youth and adults across Contra Costa, SanMateo, Santa Clara, San Francisco, Solano, and Butte counties last year through education, behavioral health care, and support. Driven by compassion, science, and our understanding of root causes, we deliver high-quality prevention, treatment, and recovery services to those with complex mental health, substance use, and co-occurring needs.
Caminar is a leader in providing evidence-based mental health and substance use treatment services in Northern California. We are an equal opportunity employer. For more information, please visit our website at www.caminar.org