Title:                    Program Support Specialist
 
Program:             Coordinated Entry System (CES)
 
Reports to:          FSC Manager 
 
Valley Oasis 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.
 
The Program Support Specialist works collaboratively with all program staff to support the mission of Valley Oasis and represent its values when interacting with participants and the community. This position is a vital role in supporting the efficient and smooth day-to-day operations of the CES Homeless Programs.  The Program Support Specialist must be able to handle a range of situations with a professional and calm demeanor and identify when management intervention is needed.
 
Essential Job Functions:

• Provide general clerical support, including but not limited to front desk/receptionist, copying, faxing, emailing, sorting, filing, and record keeping
• Pickup participant household orders (i.e. Walmart, staples, Costco etc.) and deliver to designated parties
• Pickup checks and deliver to designated parties (i.e. rental subsidy checks, household essential vendors, etc.)
• Pickup motel vouchers from contracted motels and deliver to Crisis Housing Coordinator
• Pickup documentation from participants and deliver to designated staff
• Responsible for inventory and ordering of office supplies for programs
• Participate ant attend Safety committee meetings
• Point of contact and liaison between the safety committee and program management
• Support and liaise repair requests between maintenance and program management
• Accept deliveries and regular mail and ensure it is delivered to the appropriate staff/program
• Take minutes during meetings, ensures accuracy and distributes completed minutes in a timely manner – when needed
• Assist the management team with correspondence, spreadsheets, fliers, and copying
• Assist with planning, preparation, and onsite support for agency meetings and events.
• Responsible for the scheduling and coordination of maintenance and upkeep of company vehicles (i.e., carwash, oil change, upkeep of vehicle maintenance logs and binder, etc.)
• Dispose of non-functional office furniture and transport to thrift store when applicable
• Assist Eligibility Specialist with in office, mobile, field based outreach to meet and verify homelessness – when needed
• Assist program staff with household Inspections – when needed
• Transport participants as needed
• Attends and actively participates in all team and staff meetings
• Provides support to the receptionist when needed
• Be open and flexible to assisting other departments as needed
• 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:

•  Thorough knowledge of Housing 1st model, Harm Reduction strategies and Trauma Informed service delivery
• Knowledge of issues facing homeless individuals (e.g., chronic health, substance abuse, mental health, domestic abuse and resources for undocumented individuals)
• Ability to maintain a safe environment for participants and their families
• Ability to work well in a crisis situation
• 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
• Demonstrate the ability to utilize strong judgement and interpersonal skills to manage sensitive participant interactions including with those who may be in distress with acute illness, substance use issues, co-morbidity of behavioral and physical health issues in addition to homelessness
• Effectively work with people from a diverse range of backgrounds in a multicultural environment
• Demonstrate strong front-desk management skills that effectively serve both business visitors and participants
• Project a professional demeanor and a high level of professionalism when dealing with sensitive matters
• Able to take appropriate steps to deal with emergency situations with the goal of maintaining the safety of all participants
• 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
• Strict confidentiality must be observed as it relates to participant information, agency business, program decisions and all other personal information
• Knowledge of resources including legal, medical, housing, educational and social service agencies and other resources in the community
• 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
• Maintain professional boundaries
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing;
• Accountability – be on time for scheduled shifts;
• Use of a personal vehicle may be required to travel in and around Antelope Valley and/or Los Angeles County and periodically transport participants
• Be able to read and write English
• Bilingual Preferred but not required 

Qualifications & Experience:

• High School Graduate or equivalent
• One-year related office experience in a nonprofit setting as an employee or volunteer
• Experience with homeless, vulnerable and/or diverse population

Agency Requirements:

• Must have a valid California Driver’s License
• Auto insurance
• Clean Driving Record

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

• May be in contact with individuals in crisis who may be ill, using substances and/or not be attentive to personal hygiene and safety for themselves
• 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; life at least 10 lbs.
 
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:
$16.00 - $18.00 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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