Title:                     Housing Matcher
 
Program:             Coordinated Entry System (CES) Adults
 
Reports to:          Regional Systems Coordinator
 
Coordinated Entry System provides comprehensive services designed to address the root cause of poverty and homelessness within SPA 1 of Los Angeles County. Participants may be mentally ill, have intellectual developmental disabilities, substance abuse issues, and chronic medical/physical disabilities, exiting institutions and are homeless.

Essential Job Functions:

• Oversee the prioritization process and facilitate efficient linkage to housing resources
• Identify barriers, work collaboratively with internal system staff, LAHSA, DHS, DMH, local housing authorities, and permanent supportive housing providers for oversight of permanent housing referral, and attached supportive services.
• Act as a liaison between Agency and providers, housing developers/providers, and City/County partners to facilitate matching to permanent housing resources
• Liaise with other providers within the agency, as well as outside to formulate strength based strategies to problem solve issues as they arise
• Maintain the LAHSA Community Queue of all homeless residents in SPA 1
• Ensure that all required system matching metrics are met in an efficient and timely manner
• Provide strong customer service support to landlords and housing navigators during housing placement and address any concerns that may arise
• Keep abreast of rules and regulations of federal housing programs
• Prepare reports, outcomes, challenges, and successes as necessary and required
• Enter VI-SPDAT score revisions into database when directed and provide on-going training to SPA 1 staff on the VI-SPDAT assessment
• Manage participant information in the SPA 1 CES Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) database and work collaboratively with participant points of contact
• Manage all population specific housing resources maintained in the Resource Management System
• Provide on-going support to SPA 1 Agencies regarding the CES database
• Responsible for population specific data analysis and reporting for both internal and external use
• Attend and participate in SPA 1 Care Coordination meetings and assist in organization and facilitating SPA 1 Case Conference
• Network with other agencies, coalitions and local partners to develop on going partnerships
• Organize and provide training to community partners on CES matching components
• Attend all meetings required by LAHSA/CES Administrators
• Attend SPA 1 CES meetings – both agency and provider meetings
• Participate in all SPA wide CES Matcher trainings and share information when it is applicable
• Maintain confidentiality of participant files per HIPAA and all applicable guidelines
• Document services provided within 24 hours
• Ensure services to participants are reflective of customer choice and emphasize housing first, harm reduction and trauma-informed care models
• Use effective communication skills such as active and reflective listening to build rapport
• Utilize appropriate motivational interviewing interventions to increase positive outcomes
• Participate in staff meetings, individual and group supervision, case conferences and training as required
• Adhere to agency policies and procedures including confidentiality, child abuse reporting, and code of ethics
• Additional tasks, projects and or responsibilities as assigned by Supervisor that are not outlined but which are an important part of the agency’s goals and/or program outcomes

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Clear understanding of the concepts of Housing First, Harm Reduction, Trauma Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, and the Coordinated Entry System
• Knowledge of housing resources, subsidies, and local and federal programs
• Knowledge of public systems of care for homeless individuals, including mainstream resources
• Knowledge of supportive housing, housing markets, city planning and/or public policy
• Knowledge of federal, state and local Fair Housing Laws
• Knowledge and understanding of policy, systems, and local programs that impact homeless persons and related public funding sources, regulations, requirements, and procedures
• Knowledge of issues facing homeless individuals (e.g. chronic health, substance abuse, mental health, domestic abuse and resources for undocumented individuals)
• Knowledge of best practice models for assisting homeless people with varying degrees of needs/conditions and have a strong understanding of contractual requirements/compliance and applicable performance measures
• Knowledge of resources including legal, medical, housing, educational and social service agencies and other resources in the community
• Ability to respond quickly and effectively to individuals who may be ill, using substances, lack of personal care, in crisis situations and/or potentially hostile situations
• Ability to work with a diverse population and provide culturally competent advocacy
• Ability to deescalate aggressive/agitated individuals
• Must be able to exercise initiative, independent good judgment, flexibility, discretion, and solid decision making
• Must be able to successfully manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, adjust to changing; circumstances, and demonstrate confidence working with diverse stakeholders
• Actively promote positive, nurturing interactions between participants
• Ability to handle common problems without supervisor intervention while knowing when supervisor participation is warranted
• Work effectively under conditions of limited supervision, high stress and rapidly changing situations and circumstances
• Able to take appropriate steps to deal with emergency situations with the goal of maintaining the safety of all participants
• Promote cooperation and commitment within a team to achieve goals and objective; collaborate with team members, sharing ideas and differences openly; be receptive to new ideas and adapt to change as necessary
• Considers impact of personal and professional choices. Consistently make decisions in keeping with organizational values and Supervisor’s direction
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to follow through from beginning to end on tasks
• Outstanding communication skills, both written and oral; must communicate professionally and positively with participants, co-workers, management, community partners, employers, landlords, and other service providers
• Proficient with office communication equipment and machines (telephone, copier, calculator, fax machine, personal computer, laptop, computer printer and scanner).
• Proficient in use of laptop/desktop computer, Microsoft Windows and Office software programs (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Google drive
• Strong time management skills and the ability to multi-task and prioritize in a fast-paced environment, while exercising sound judgment.
• Strict confidentiality must be observed as it relates to participant information, agency business, program decisions and all other personal information
• Use of a personal vehicle may be required to travel in and around Antelope Valley and/or Los Angeles County and periodically transport participants
• Maintain professional boundaries and work collaboratively with participants, volunteers and staff
• Accountability – be on time for scheduled shifts
• Be able to read and write English
• Bilingual Preferred but not required

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social/Human Services or related field, strongly preferred
• One year experience in case management for homeless individuals
• Experience with property management and real estate functions
• Experience with Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
• Experience with homeless, vulnerable and/or diverse population
• Education may be substituted by years of experience

Agency Requirements:

• Valid California Driver’s License
• Reliable transportation
• Auto insurance
• Clean Driving Record
• Employment pending drug screen, background check and driving record

Work Conditions & Physical Demands
An employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job must meet physical demands described:

• May be in contact with individuals in crisis
• May experience unpleasant sensory demands associated with an individual’s use of alcohol and drugs, and lack of personal care
• May experience crisis situations and potentially hostile situations, must be ready to respond quickly and effectively.

An employee is required to:
Walk and climb stairs; Handle, grasp and feel objects and equipment; Reach with hands and arms; extend both arms above the head and/or reach below the waist; Communicate ideas and information verbally and written word; Be able to move oneself quickly and easily from place to place; Repeat various motions with hands, wrists, fingers; Climb on stools, steps and/or ladders; Be subject to outside environmental conditions, including but not limited to: Rain, heat, wind.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. If accommodation(s) are required, employee must inform Human Resources by the first week of employment. If an accommodation is not required at the time of employment, but is later required, you must inform Human Resources at the time it is needed.
 
Benefits

Health	Employee Assistance Plan	Paid Sick
Dental	AFLAC	Paid Vacation
Vision	Cafeteria 125 Plan	Personal Days
Acupuncture/Chiropractic	Retirement Plan
Life Insurance	14 Observed Holidays

 
Schedule
Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm (may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends, holidays and/or on call status)
Salary Range
$22.50 - $24.00 per hour **based on experience

An Equal Opportunity Employer: Selection will be based solely on merit and will be without discrimination because of age, race, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability.

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