Community Specialist

Community Specialist

Flexible Housing Subsidy Pool

Senior Division

Agency Overview

Felton Institute responds to the needs of our community by providing innovative, evidence-informed social services that transform lives. Our organization offers 60+ programs that address mental health, the unhoused, early care and education, those impacted by the justice system, transitional age youth, as well as aging adults. Our programs combine the latest scientific research with cultural sensitivity and a deep commitment to supporting and reflecting the communities we serve. Felton offers a dynamic, challenging, and supportive work environment where we encourage the use of professional development, that staff can utilize throughout their career.

Program and Division Description

The Flexible Housing Subsidy Pool (FHSP) program serves adults and older adults transitioning into Scattered Site Permanent Supportive Housing by providing comprehensive and integrated services, including harm reduction and recovery-oriented treatment, physical and mental health care, housing assistance, and vocational and educational support. We work in partnership with San Francisco’s Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) and Brilliant Corners. The program is part of Felton’s Senior Division, which specializes in providing a full continuum of older adult mental health outpatient programs and a range of aging services programs, including workforce development, economic security, case management, and advocacy.

Job Description

Community Specialists are members of our multidisciplinary treatment team that support case managers and others from the team to provide coordinated care services for adults and older adults transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing. Community Specialists support clients who may be experiencing homelessness, isolation, mental illness, cognitive impairments, and/or substance abuse. Community Specialist duties include outreach and engagement; rapport building; provision of on-site/drop-in services; and case management services such as linkage to community resources providing employment services, medical care, money management, etc.

Community Specialists will meet as needed with other case managers in the city for case review and consultation and will participate in monthly trainings within the agency as indicated. Additional responsibilities include advocating with outside agencies on behalf of clients to secure benefits, housing and resources, and maintaining a professional working relationship with providers and other support systems. Team meetings occur collaboratively at least once a week; the Community Specialist will also meet with a program supervisor weekly.

Specific Responsibilities

• Support team to provide case management services, including evaluations, care plan development, and assisting clients in accessing housing, financial, medical and other needed services.
• Assist with linkage to housing resources, benefits, medical services, and other needed services.
• Work collaboratively with collateral agencies and housing providers, including Housing Coordinators from Brilliant Corners and landlords.
• Advocate on behalf of residents.
• Complete all initial housing outreach and assessments according to HSH guidelines.
• Provide crisis intervention and mental health support as needed.
• Collaboratively problem solve around barriers with residents, providers, and other housing supports.
• Maintain documentation standards with progress notes, assessments, and plans of care.
• Maintain thorough clinical records after each contact or service, in accordance with standards set by the Felton Institute, SF Homeless and Supportive Housing, Medi-Cal, and program funders.
• Participate in team meetings and care conferences and facilitate the exchange of information and ideas.
• Additional duties as needed will be assigned. 

Minimum Requirements and Qualifications

• Passionate about working with unhoused adults and older adults.
• Highly interested in the principles of recovery and dedicated to creating caring, supportive environments.
• Willingness to work from a strengths-based, harm reduction, and person-centered model, with an emphasis on evidence-based practices.
• Accurate and detail-oriented in documentation of plans of care and charting.
• Experience in case management and mental health services for people experiencing homelessness, and for those living with mental illness, a plus.
• Experience serving older adults not required but extremely helpful.
• Ability to work with diverse cultures, ethnicities, and gender/sexual identities required.
• Strong organizational, communication, interpersonal and time management skills preferred.
• Finally, this is a highly collaborative environment: please be a team player with a welcoming, collaborative attitude.

Additional Information:

Reports to: Program Director

Job Type: Full-Time (30 hours per week)

Work Schedule: Onsite/Field-Based

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Salary Range: $30- $35 per hour (DOE)

Benefits (subject to election and eligibility): Fully-Paid Medical and Dental Plans; Health Reimbursement Card, Paid Time Off (personal, vacation, and sick time), 403B with company match.

This position is union-represented by SEIU Local 1021 and is subject to the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Applying Instruction:

Candidates should apply for the position at our career page “careers.felton.org” OR directly email resumes to “jobs@felton.org”.

IMP NOTE: Job responsibilities are subject to change according to program requirements.