Housing and Residential Services Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary :

The Housing and Residential Services Specialist (HRSS) provides oversight and manages all admissions and concurrent reviews of people receiving subsidies and vouchers, shopping for housing units, and tenants who enter city-funded housing programs. The HRSS provides administrative, technical and analytical support to providers with Tenant Service Coordinator (TSC) staff connected to permanent supportive housing programs. Work with mental health / substance use and forensic populations to assist with specific consumer, provider and systemic problems or obstacles within the behavioral health service system and to help find solutions. The HRSS is an integral member in the DBHIDS Housing team and is involved with various planning and development activities within the department, assisting with system transformation of community residential services.

Duties and Responsibilities :

• Manage the client referrals and authorization process for placement in supportive housing units (as enumerated on the defined caseload), assuring that the referral is complete and transmitted to the appropriate residential program staff person, and that the referral source and case manager have been notified of the placement authorization;
• Function as a Technical Advisor to assigned provider agencies, responding to requests for assistance with client related issues focusing on but not limited to admission, continued stay, and / or discharge, as well as TSC best practices;
• Monitor the admissions process until the client has been admitted, the referral has been withdrawn, or the referral has been returned for an alternative placement authorization;
• Monitor the clients’ stay at the residence via concurrent review, twice a year, and assure that the clients continue to be appropriately placed or are referred by case manager or site to a more appropriate residence.
• Work with TSC teams to ensure people need to update their leases timely, paying rental amounts and working with any additional supports when there are issues that threaten a person’s housing.
• Work with Landlords partnered in DBHIDS and OHS housing initiatives
• Participate in planning activities, work groups, presentations related to residential services and its further development, expansion and transformation;
• Assist with data management activities related to assigned sites;
• Participate in job-related meetings, as directed;
• Participate in the preparation of reports on a timely basis (or, as directed) regarding the activities enumerated above; and
• Perform similar gatekeeping activities as outlined above for other residential programs, as assigned.

Skills Required :

Working knowledge of the Philadelphia Behavioral Health system and all its components. Direct experience with both residential and case management services with supervisory experience a plus. Ability to connect with all levels within provider agencies : direct services, supervisory and management personnel and effectively communicate the policy and direction of the Department. Clinical assessment skills related to adult behavioral health treatment and support are required. Self motivated; excellent verbal and written communication, excellent organizational ability and knowledge of computers and software are preferred.

Education and Experience :

Bachelor’s degree in mental health related field. Three to five years working with persons with serious mental illness; experience as well as working with homeless and forensic population a plus.

Physical Demands :

Ability to physically perform the duties in the environmental conditions required for the position, including agency offices, residential sites, and concomitant travel. Sitting at desk in office or at meetings; ability to travel independently via either public or private transportation.

Equal Opportunity Employment :

PMHCC, Inc. is committed to equal opportunity. It is our policy to support equal employment for all employees and applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual preferences, age, national origin, disability, behavioral health status, military status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Americans with Disabilities Act :

Employees as well as applicants who are currently, or become disabled, must be able to perform the functions of the job with either reasonable accommodation or unaided. PMHCC, Inc. will examine reasonable accommodations on a case by case basis in accordance with the law.