Retention Worker Position at JOIN
JOIN is a non-profit social service agency that houses people experiencing homelessness who are actively sleeping on the street in Multnomah County. The vast majority of our work takes place out on the street in people’s camps and, once housed, in their apartments. JOIN also operates a basic service facility in east Portland where people can take a shower, pick up their mail, be part of a community, and access other basic services. It is a busy environment – an environment that extends into the office spaces of each employee regardless of job description.
Overview of the Position
This position provides housing stabilization support for people recently housed from Safety Off the Street sites by a new multi-agency In-Reach Team coordinated by JOIN. JOIN’s retention efforts seek to empower people to maintain permanent, independent housing through acquiring income, promoting physical and emotional health, and building community. Retention Workers need to be able to build authentic relationships and work effectively with people experiencing homelessness, regardless of their backgrounds, personal histories, household composition, and be willing and able to engage people on the streets, in organized camps and shelter, in their homes, in community settings and in our service facility.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Providing Basic Needs Support:
-Provide home visits to recently housed people in support of their self-determined housing stability plan and re-housing as necessary.
-Work cooperatively with multiple agencies to connect households to services including, workforce training, domestic violence support, and wellness resources.
-Coordinate and support referrals to disability benefits acquisition and employment assistance. Provide support and advocacy around households’ engagement with physical and mental health resources, Department of Human Services, and the criminal justice system.
-Coordinate and/or provide transportation to appointments, interviews, events, and other functions.
-Build and maintain strong relationships with resident services coordinators, property managers and management companies to support housing stability and to create avenues for advocacy when a household’s tenancy is at risk.
-Coordinate with emergency food providers to obtain and deliver food boxes.
-With coordination of In-Reach Worker, provide delivery of furniture and household goods to newly housed individuals.
Providing Community Support
-Plan and implement social events and community volunteer opportunities for newly housed tenants.
-Work with faith-based communities and other community organizations to provide regular community building events.
Working with Staff
-Meet regularly with In-Reach Workers from three agencies to develop ways to support their efforts in helping new tenants retain housing.
-Work in conjunction with JOIN’s Retention Team.
-Support staffing of daytime Basic Service Center, move-ins, and other organizational activities.
-Maintain narrative and required data regarding services provided.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
-Demonstrated respect for the value of diversity and equity; an ability to work with people from all backgrounds in an inclusive and meaningful way. Experience providing culturally specific services is preferred.
-Experience building trusting relationships and collaborative efforts with diverse individuals and organizations.
-Experience working with people experiencing homelessness or other similar personal challenges.
-Commitment to non-violence and holistic responses.
-Must be self-motivated and have demonstrated ability to work well in an unstructured, often hectic, team environment.
-Ability to work with or learn computer data entry programs and familiarity with Office Suite software.
-Maintain accurate and timely records of services provided.
-Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs.; position involves regular moving of furniture into and out of vehicles and apartments.
-Proficiency in more than one language, in addition to English, a plus.
Other Requirements
-Must own or have access to a personal vehicle for daily use on the job.
-Must have valid driver’s license and insurable driving record upon hire.
-Must be able to work occasionally (approximately twice per month) in the evenings and on weekends.
Salary and Benefits
-$34,000 annual salary
-100% employee and dependent medical and dental insurance for JOIN’s basic plan. Participants may pay additional for a lower deductible-health plan. Both plans include out-of-network benefits and alternative care benefits and meet the status of a Gold Plan.
-Access to 403b retirement plan (no match).
-JOIN Emergency Loan Program for significant unexpected expenses, e.g. a new roof, furnace, car, braces, etc.
-21 personal leave days (vacation and sick combined) from day 1. No accrual, no monetary value. All 10 federal holidays. 8-week paid sabbatical after 7 years.
-Option to make free tax-free contributions to a savings account for medical and dependent care expenses.
-Access to an employee assistance program for crisis counseling, budgeting/financial help, marriage counseling, adoption support, and other supportive services.
How to Submit an Application
Send a cover letter and resume, as an attachment with your name included in the file, to employment@joinpdx.org by November 2, 2016 at 5:00 pm. Applications after that date and time will not be considered.
In your cover letter, please address the following two questions:
1. Homelessness disproportionately effects people of color and in our community, we recently saw a 43% increase in homelessness among the African American community. Please describe your experience (personal, professional, volunteer, etc.) providing culturally specific or relevant services and/or your ability to work across cultures.
2. Tell us how you would balance the relationship and advocacy for a tenant you are supporting with the relationship you have with the property manager where this tenant lives when issues arise at the complex.
An electronic acknowledgement will be sent upon application submission. Please do not contact JOIN unless you submitted an application and it was not acknowledged. While we sincerely appreciate all applications, only those candidates selected for interview will be contacted.
Thank you.
Equal Opportunity Employer
JOIN values the strengths that a diverse workforce offers and is committed to honoring the dignity of every individual. On behalf of the board, staff, and people we serve at JOIN, thank you for your interest in supporting our mission.