CSO is looking for a Rapid Rehousing Specialist for Friends of the Homeless in Springfield. 

The Rapid Re-Housing Specialist is a key member of the Coordinated Entry System (CES) team that connects homeless individuals throughout Hampden County with services and housing. The Rapid Re-Housing Specialist's primary role is to provide rapid re-housing (RRH) assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness, or at risk of becoming homeless, so that they are able to obtain or maintain housing. 

Responsibilities

• Review all RRH applications for clients moving into housing to determine RRH assistance (short-term or medium term) eligibility, conduct unit inspections, provide commitment letters and facilitate payment process.
• Ensure all documentation is complete and all required data is inputted in a timely manner into the respective data systems, so that all diversion and rapid re-housing assistance provided by FOH is reported accurately. 
• Assist individuals in person or by phone with diversion assistance whenever possible to resolve immediate housing crisis.
• Coordinate with landlords and community providers through outreach and referrals that will support clients in maintaining self-sufficiency.
• Provide advocacy, mediation and dispute resolution with landlords, family or friends to secure or stabilize housing.
• Utilize community resources to connect individuals to mainstream and community-based services, including but not limited to financial counseling, energy assistance, food/clothing banks, legal aid, employment or educational assistance, and rapid rehousing (RRH).
• Coordinate appropriate referrals to available mainstream services such as mental health services, addiction recovery programs, medical appointments, and employment resources.
• Assist clients with locating permanent housing by providing housing applications, and with addressing transportation issues, if needed.
• Maintain appropriate and professional relationships with all parties, including clients, throughout the agency and with partner agencies and community stakeholders. 

Qualifications 

Bachelor's degree in Social Services/Human Services field, or comparable education, training and work experience is required. Two years of work experience in human services and with vulnerable populations. Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Ability to work with a diverse population and exercise good judgement. Prior experience working with homeless populations and issues related to homelessness is preferred. Also preferred is experience with conflict resolution and mediation. Proficiency with data management systems and other computer skills. Knowledge of local social service and other community resources.  Familiarity with Hampden County Continuum of Care.  Knowledge of HMIS and VI-SPDAT screening tool. 

Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply, (English/Spanish speaking.)

Benefits

We provide our employees with competitive salaries and a generous benefits package, including full coverage health and dental insurance and ample paid time off (vacation, personal, sick, and holidays). Additionally, we offer a retirement savings plan and an employee referral bonus program. CSO provides their staff with regular in-house training and professional development opportunities with free CEUs. Our voluntary supplemental insurances include short and long-term disability, cancer, accident and life. We also offer a premier employee assistance program (EAP) and personal cell phone plan discounts.

Our Agency

Clinical & Support Options, Inc. is a behavioral health organization serving individuals and families across Western Massachusetts. From its early days as a child guidance clinic, Clinical & Support Options has expanded into a full service behavioral health agency, committed internally to excellence while we collaborate externally with community partners to participate in a comprehensive system of assistance and resources for the residents of our communities. We employ over 650 multi-disciplinary staff, helping thousands of families during the past 50 years. We have community based office locations throughout Western Massachusetts, including Springfield, Northampton, Greenfield, Orange, Athol, Gardner and Pittsfield.

Our core competencies lend themselves to the development of a "one-stop" model of comprehensive, holistic services to individuals and families with multiple and complex issues.

Our expertise, in a nutshell, is to support people in their progress towards self-sufficiency, no matter what challenges they face on that journey.