Job Opportunities  Looking for a way to make a difference? Do you want to help end homelessness? Come join the HomeStart Team!
HomeStart actively cultivates a work environment that is dynamic, flexible, encouraging & inspiring. We offer a generous benefits package and promote professional growth. HomeStart is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer. Persons of color and formerly homeless persons encouraged to apply. Current Job Postings:Leasing Coordinator
HomeStart is a leading provider of housing search and follow-up support services for homeless and low-income people. The Leasing Coordinator is responsible for all duties related to HomeStart’s rental subsidy program. All participants are formerly homeless and disabled. Tasks include management of subsidy programs, lease renewals, annual recertifications, and acting as liaison for landlord and tenants. The Leasing Coordinator position also provides support to the Chief Operating Officer.
Responsibilities:Review participant referrals to ensure they are complete and review for appropriate eligibility. Reports to Chief Operating Officer. Conduct lease-ups for grant participants. Work with advocates to obtain income verification and complete paperwork Act as liaison and reference point for landlords Ensure all documentation is correct Meet with program participants to sign leases Complete and submit necessary paperwork to Financial Department Act as liaison to multiple senior-level administrators and front line staff from partner agencies as well as front-line staff at HomeStart regarding program compliance. Assist in training staff in how to complete program paperwork. Create and manage spreadsheets to track lease-ups and renewal dates. Complete Annual Progress Report for SHP programs. Assist Stabilization Managers in implementation and administration of a federal Supportive Housing Program (SHP) grant. Provide training and technical support to partner agencies. Ensure compliance with program rules and regulations. Familiarize self with Supportive Housing Program regulations, desk-guide, and any other guidelines or documents related to leasing contracts. Keep Clinical Director up-to-date on relevant changes. Remain up-to-date on regulations relevant to SHP grants. Provide support to Representative Payee Program in form of check logging and reconciliation review.
Qualifications: Demonstrated experience managing and juggling diverse tasks and projects with minimal supervision. Ability to be flexible, take an optimistic approach to new challenges, and have a good sense of humor. Dedication to helping people move out of the shelter system and become successfully integrated into the community. Ability to handle client crises with calm and confidence. Ability to provide support and supervision to staff in a sensitive manner. Judgment: Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; can clearly explain reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in decision-making process; demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles. Ability to adapt to changes in work duties and organizational structure. Solid problem solving skills: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner, works with others to solve complex problems. Able to work comfortably with diverse populations, with sensitivity to issues concerning mental health, substance abuse and all disabilities. Responds efficiently and cordially to requests for service and assistance Professionalism: Reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration; follows through on commitments Dependability: Completes tasks on time; takes responsibility for own actions; can be relied upon. Ability to learn new tasks quickly. Proficiency in Microsoft Office – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, databases and web-based technologies. Organized and diligent about record-keeping and administration. Ability to handle confidential information Ability to handle multiple priorities An ability to work closely with a diverse group of people including formerly homeless men and women, landlords, social service agency representatives, partner agencies and others. An ability to facilitate groups or meetings. Knowledge of homelessness and housing issues preferred. Strong written and verbal skills.
Email, mail or fax resume and cover letter to:
Lori Cain, COO, HomeStart, 105 Chauncy Street, Boston, MA 02111. Fax (617) 542-1454. cain@homestart.org
Persons of color and formerly homeless persons encouraged to apply. HomeStart is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
Stabilization Advocate - Central Square Cambridge Office Dynamic, innovative non-profit agency seeks experienced person for unique Homeless Stabilization Advocate at our Cambridge office. This position will work directly with clients after they have been placed into housing, providing support services to help prevent recurrent homelessness and become successfully integrated into their new communities. We offer a competitive salary, generous benefits package, a dynamic staff, flexibility, and a supportive work environment that promotes professional growth. Ideal candidate will have case management and substance abuse/mental health experience. HomeStart is Cambridge’s leading provider of housing search and follow-up support services for homeless and low-income people. Responsibilities:Assist individuals with mental illness, long histories of substance abuse, and limited experience with independent living and assist these participants in maintaining their housing.Assist participants’ transition from homeless-based to community based resources.Establish and monitor mental health and substance abuse recovery plans.Travel throughout Greater Boston conducting home visits.Assist with budgeting skills and other activities of daily living. Serve as a liaison with other service providers.Make referrals as needed to substance abuse treatment centers, mental health agencies, health care providers, vocational/educational resources, legal services, public benefits, and food pantries.
Qualifications: 1-3 years case management or relevant experience or education. Experience with homeless population preferred. Mental health and substance abuse experience strongly preferred. Bilingual skills a plus Car and license extremely helpful.Creative problem solving skills.Accountability, good time management, and organizational ability. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Basic math skills required.Knowledge of housing programs helpful.Computer skills required (MS Windows, Word, internet).Interested in being part of a dynamic, supportive and caring team. Energetic and enthusiastic.Sense of humor
Competitive salary plus benefits. Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Resume and cover letter to: Cambridge Program Director, 678 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139; email: grossman@homestart.org; fax: (617) 234-5344.Cambridge Clinical Homeless Stabilization Advocate Dynamic, innovative non-profit agency seeks experienced person for our Central Square, Cambridge office. Ideal candidate will have strong clinical substance abuse and mental health experience. HomeStart is Greater Boston’s leading provider of housing search and follow-up support services for homeless and low-income people. Responsibilities: - Assist formerly homeless adults become independent and successful by providing follow-up case management services.
- Assist participants’ transition from homeless-based to community based resources.
- Help participants maintain their housing.
- Establish and monitor mental health and substance abuse recovery plans.
- Travel throughout Greater Boston conducting home visits.
- Assist participants with budgeting skills and other activities of daily living.
- Run peer support groups and workshops for program participants as needed.
- Provide clinical expertise, support and consultation for the Cambridge team in collaboration with the Stabilization Director.
- Assist with administrative duties.
- Provide Cambridge Directors with back-up coverage for the Cambridge team.
- Participants include individuals with mental illness, long histories of substance abuse, and limited experience with independent living.
Qualifications: - Strong clinical skills necessary, especially in the areas of mental health and substance abuse.
- Clinical certification (e.g. LICSW, licensed mental health worker, CADAC) or equivalent experience/education strongly preferred.
- Case management experience.
- Energetic and enthusiastic.
- Sense of humor.
- Experience with homeless population.
- Bilingual a plus.
- Strong leadership skills, flexibility, and ability to work collaboratively with others.
- Excellent project management skills, including time management, ability to organize and streamline tasks, complete work efficiently, and good follow-through on projects.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work well with a broad range of people.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Basic math skills required.
- Computer skills (MS Windows, Word, Excel, internet, etc.) required.
- Dedication to helping people who are homeless move beyond shelter.
Mail, fax or email Resume and Cover Letter by Friday, September 2, 2011 to: Samara Grossman, HomeStart, 678 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 502, Cambridge, MA 02139. Fax (617) 234-5344 email: grossman@homestart.org
Persons of color and formerly homeless persons encouraged to apply. HomeStart is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
Housing First Case Manager The Housing First Case Manager will provide housing search and follow-up case management services to individuals who are homeless and living on the streets or in emergency shelter. Participants have been living on the streets for many years and suffer from mental illness, long histories of substance abuse, major medical conditions, and have limited experience with independent living. Most of the people that we work with on the Housing First team are actively using drugs and/or alcohol and do not follow their medical and mental health treatment plans. The Housing First team takes a harm-reduction approach to helping folks find ways to successfully live in housing and not let their disabilities result in recurrent homelessness. Responsibilities: - Assist some homeless individuals with all aspects of housing search and placement into permanent housing: work with clients to devise an appropriate housing search strategy; complete housing applications and prepare necessary documentation; negotiate with landlords, housing authorities, and realtors.
- Conduct outreach to potential landlords.
- Support placed individuals in becoming independent and successful in their housing by providing follow-up case management services.
- Assist clients in accessing any income or health benefits and other resources for which they are in need or for which they are eligible.
- Provide crisis intervention around mental health, substance abuse, medical and housing related crises.
- Help participants with activities of daily living including household cleaning, hygiene awareness, diplomacy in dealing with landlords/other tenants, healthy meal planning, etc.
- Work closely with Boston Healthcare for the Homeless to help clients successfully maintain their health and housing.
- Assist participants’ transition from homeless-based to community based resources.
- Utilizing a harm reduction model, support participants in maintaining focus on their substance abuse recovery and mental health stability.
- Travel throughout Greater Boston conducting home visits and accompanying clients to their provider meetings.
- Assist with budgeting skills and other activities of daily living.
Qualifications: - Case management experience.
- Mental health and substance abuse knowledge and/or experience.
- Positive attitude; energetic; dedicated to ending homelessness.
- Able to work occasional evening hours as needed.
- Good with numbers; good budgeting skills.
- Ability to work well as part of a team.
- Interested in enhancing and learning new professional skills.
- Sense of humor.
- Patience.
- Accountability, good time management, and organizational ability.
Indicate position in cover letter. Mail, fax or email Resume and Cover Letter to: Juanda Furtado, Housing First Director HomeStart, 105 Chauncy Street, Boston, MA 02111 Fax 617-542-1454 or furtado@homestart.orgStabilization Program Manager Homeless Housing Advocate—Cambridge Dynamic, innovative non-profit agency seeks experienced person for Homeless Housing Advocate position at our Cambridge office. Ideal candidate will have housing search, case management and/or substance abuse/mental health experience. This position will be based in the Cambridge Multi-Service Center, working closely with the City of Cambridge, Cambridge-based community partners, homeless shelters, and transitional programs. HomeStart is Greater Boston’s leading provider of housing search and follow-up support services for homeless and low-income people. This position will work primarily with homeless, single adults. Responsibilities: - Assist homeless individuals with all aspects of housing search and placement into permanent housing: work with clients to devise an appropriate housing search strategy; complete housing applications and prepare necessary documentation; negotiate with landlords, housing authorities, and realtors.
- Coordinate housing search activity with related work of shelter case managers.
- Conduct housing search workshops.
- Help clients establish and follow a budget.
- Some evening hours required.
Skills: - Minimum one to three years housing search or related experience (case management, property management, community organizing/advocacy).
- Strong advocacy and outreach skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Good math skills.
- Dedication to helping people who are homeless move beyond shelter.
- Ability to facilitate groups and conduct presentations.
- Knowledge of subsidized and private housing resources and regulations preferred.
- Experience with homeless adults and/or recovery population preferred
- Experience with mental health a plus.
- Bilingual skills a plus.
- Computer skills required (MS Windows, Word, internet)
HomeStart offers: Competitive salary, generous benefits package, a dynamic staff, flexibility, and a supportive work environment. HomeStart is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer. Persons of color and formerly homeless persons encouraged to apply. Please email or fax resume and cover letter to: Gregory Grays-Thomas, Housing Services Director, 678 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 502, Cambridge, MA 02139. Fax: (617) 234-5344. Email: graysthomas@homestart.org
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