Start a Career with Imagine Housing

Imagine Housing is a 501(c)(3) Washington non-profit corporation incorporated in 1989. Our mission is to develop, own and manage housing with supportive services for people in financial need on King County’s Eastside. We support residents’ efforts to develop greater choice and independence. An eighteen-member Board of Directors oversees Imagine Housing and is very active in the life of the organization.

Resident Support Specialist at Francis Village:

The Resident Support Specialist for Imagine Housing is responsible for client assessment, intake, and case management for formerly homeless individuals and families, veterans, and other low-income people residing at Francis Village.  Francis Village opened in December of 2011 and has sixty units of affordable housing in the Totem Lake neighborhood of Kirkland, WA.  At Francis Village, the Resident Support Specialist will be responsible for coordinating and collaborating with other local services providers as well as directly delivering supportive services to the residents, particularly the 45 households that have transitioned from homelessness.  The Resident Support Specialist will work alongside partnering service providers, including Friends of Youth, the VA, LifeWire, and Congregations for the Homeless, who have placed homeless clients into permanent affordable housing at Francis Village and are providing case management to these clients.  The Resident Support Specialist will provide comprehensive case management for residents, develop goal plans with residents, coordinate care with other service providers, assist residents in achieving short and long term goals, refer residents to other resources in the community as appropriate, and measure residents’ outcomes.  The Resident Support Specialist will also organize and facilitate trainings, classes, community events, and youth activities.  This position acts under the supervision of a Resident Support Supervisor in Imagine Housing’s Department of Supportive Services.

Key Responsibilities

Case Management and Supportive Services

  • Assist prospective applicants with completing lease agreements and obtaining other supportive documents such as identification, social security card, etc as required by leasing agents/property;
  • Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with partnering service providers, homeless shelters, transitional housing programs and other community resources;
  • Provide supportive case management and crisis management for residents at Francis Village;
  • Complete intakes, assessments, service plans, monitoring, linkage to appropriate community resources, follow up, appropriate discharge, and tracking;
  • Keep track of updated information regarding tenant occupancy, move outs, and vacancies;
  • Facilitate and coordinate supportive activities for residents: employment assistance activities, such as job readiness training, resume preparation, interview practice, attending job fairs and networking with perspective employers; budgeting and money management training; health and wellness education, etc.;
  • Provide weekly educational and enriching youth activities;
  • Host weekly community events  and classes that engage the residents of Francis Village;
  • Help residents complete applications for public benefits, as appropriate;
  • do building walk-throughs frequently and maintain a visible, positive presence at the property to ensure safety and security for the residents; and
  • Maintain thorough and complete records of residents’ participation in supportive services and progress.

Reporting

  • Track and record data on residents’ participation in supportive services, progress on their service plans and goals, and impact of supportive services on residents;
  • Conduct annual evaluation of the supportive services program at Francis Village and implement needed improvements; and
  • Prepare and submit reports to program funders on a timely manner basis.

Other Responsibilities

  • Attend meetings with property management, as needed;
  • Coordinate volunteers to offer weekly activities, prepare and distribute welcome baskets and prepare community meals at Francis Village and ensure back-up coverage, as necessary;
  • Track ongoing monthly expenses for Francis Village services and ensure that expenses stay within budget;
  • Attend community resource meetings;
  • Must be able to work a flexible schedule; and
  • Perform other assigned duties in a timely and efficient matter.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

  • Ability to communicate and work effectively with individuals and families of diverse backgrounds, including a variety of disabilities, economic situations, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, veterans, and sexual orientations;
  • Outstanding organizational, verbal and written communication skills;
  • Ability to perform daily duties to achieve excepted outcomes and performance measures with minimal supervision;
  • Knowledge of family and child resources and services in King County for homeless families;
  • Ability to set and maintain boundaries with clients in a professional manner;
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
  • Ability to make good decisions without regular on-site supervision;
  • Strong time management and organizational skills; and
  • Competency in use of personal computer, especially for word processing and generation of statistical information.

Minimum Requirements

  • BA degree in social work or related field;
  • A minimum of two years case management or similar experience in a human services setting;
  • Experience working with people experiencing mental health issues, chemical health issues and homelessness; and
  • Valid Washington State Driver’s License.

Work Schedule

The Resident Support Specialist position is a full-time hourly position.  Hours will be primarily Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between the hours of 9 am and 5:30 pm, Tuesdays between the hours of 10:30am and 7pm, and Thursday between the hours of 12 and 8:30pm.  Some weekend work will be necessary.  Regular daily (work week) presence is required.

Salary and Benefits 

The hourly rate of pay will be based on experience.  This position is full-time (40 hours per week) and benefits will be provided.  Benefits include paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, company paid medical, dental and life insurance and 401(k) matching contribution.

To Apply:

By May 29th, 2013, email a resume and cover letter with your rate of pay requirement and description of specifically why you are an ideal candidate.  Send your resume and cover letter to rachelm@imaginehousing.org.