Care Specialist – Veteran Support

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

This position provides care coordination and support for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability. The Specialist works alongside participants to develop individualized plans that promote housing stability, financial well-being, and long-term success. Services are provided both in the office and throughout the community, meeting participants where they are. The role collaborates with community partners and service providers to connect participants with resources and may support program intake and grant-funded services as assigned.

In addition to the Care Specialist general responsibilities, the Veteran Support position will provide supportive services to veterans and their families in need of resources to transition from homelessness to housing stability and self-sufficiency. This will be a full-time position at 37.5 hours per week that will work out of our Mount Vernon office and Skagit Vets Connect office in Burlington.

We are seeking a veteran to join our team in this role. Qualified veterans will receive preference and priority consideration during the hiring process.

JOB DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

1. Serve as the agency representative at the Skagit Vets Connect Center, providing direct support to veterans and their families, assessing needs, determining eligibility, and connecting individuals to appropriate services and resources.
2. Meet with clients weekly or monthly, depending upon need, to provide support that is safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable, and client-centered.
3. Contact newly assigned clients as soon as possible, complete re-certifications in a timely manner, and determine program exits.
4. Help and coach clients to achieve wellness and autonomy by allowing individuals to set their own goals and determine what areas of focus they would like to engage in.
5. Complete comprehensive assessments in the domains of housing, health, financial stability, food, employment, transportation, and other key areas as appropriate.
6. Work collaboratively with a client to identify, track and achieve goals in the above areas.
7. Maintain regular communication regarding clients with landlords, community partners, and management.
8. Educate and inform applicants of program requirements and responsibilities. According to the client participation contract and program guidelines.
9. Provide skills training, specifically in household budgeting, advocate and refer for services, including financial assistance, tax assistance, legal aid, housing, job placement, education, primary healthcare, mental health, substance treatment, and other client-identified needs.
10. Complete all required documentation, including but not limited to stability plans, client eligibility, enrollment, tracking, and contacts with or on behalf of individual participants and submit files regularly for accuracy auditing.
11. Daily data entry into EmpowOr and/or HMIS, including demographics, services, and client outcomes achieved.
12. If working with clients on specific housing grants, must maintain appropriate documentation, billing, and data.
13. Meet and maintain caseload and billable units.
14. Assist clients in accessing Basic Food benefits, including online application and renewals through Washington Connection, as needed.
15. Promote a healthy, transparent, professional, and kind work environment.
16. Bilingual English/Spanish Specialist: May provide interpretive services and consultation to ensure cultural competency for all programs at CA.
17. Attend staff meetings, training, and workshops as required. Including, participation in veteran outreach activities, community events, and advisory council meetings.
18. Other related duties as assigned by management.

QUALIFICATIONS INCLUDE:

Education & Experience

• High School Diploma or GED/HSE minimum required.
• AA/BA/BS Degree in Social Services or related field preferred.
• Case management experience or a related professional experience preferred. Lived experience with demonstrated success in self-advocacy may substitute.
• Lived experience with homelessness and factors associated with housing instability preferred.
• Preference given to Veterans and experience working with Veterans.
• Or a combination of education/experience meeting required job qualifications.

License(s) & Certification(s)

• Valid driver’s license and auto liability insurance required for work related travel.
• Certified Peer Counselor Certificate preferred.
• Training necessary (within 1 year of hire): Trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, Blood borne Pathogens, First Aid/CPR, Safety, Mandated Reporting, Confidentiality, HIPAA, Crisis Intervention, and De-Escalation.

Skills & Abilities

• Spanish/English bilingual desired, additional languages helpful.
• Ability to understand ‘Housing First’ philosophy and strategies.
• Strong motivational interviewing skills.
• Ability to set boundaries, resolve conflict, problem solve, and de-escalate issues.
• Ability to work independently, as well as, part of a team.
• Strong organization and time management required, with ability to multi-task.
• Ability to be an effective and positive ambassador for the agency.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to navigate Microsoft Office applications, including Microsoft 365, Sharpoint, Excel, Word, Adobe PDF, Teams and Outlook. Experience with EmpowOR, or other client databases.
• Must have strong and effective communication skills (oral and written).
• Competency of standard office procedures and equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with people from varied cultural, socioeconomic, educational and experiential backgrounds.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Starting pay wage range between $24.67 - $27.24 per hour (DOE)

Benefits include:

• Medical & Dental Insurance including Rx and Vision
• Life Insurance and AD&D coverage
• 401(k) Retirement Plan (3.5% Employer Match)
• Paid Sick and Vacation Leave
• 12 Holidays per year
• Health club discount

(Community Action reserves right to modify, amend, or terminate any benefit at any time for any reason.)

TO APPLY: Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by providing ALL items requested. Please submit the following: (1) Community Action Application (2) Resume (3) Letter of Interest. You can find all job announcements and apply online on our website at www.communityactionskagit.org

Community Action of Skagit County reserves the right to extend application deadlines and to modify the selection schedule without notice, to form eligibility lists for, or make appointments to, other positions with similar employment requirements. Community Action of Skagit County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Should you require accommodation in the application process, please contact our HR Department.