Social Services Coordinator at Spokane Housing Authority – Spokane, Washington

Starting Hourly Rate: $26.69 - $28.04

Hourly Rate: $26.69 - $38.65

Emergency Essential: No

FLSA Designation: Non-Exempt

Purpose of Social Services Coordinator

Under the direct supervision of the Housing Stability and Client Success Manager, the Social Services Coordinator facilitates resident access to necessary services, coordinates resident care as needed and requested, and develops programs and resources that support wellness for residents of SHA owned or assisted properties and voucher programs. The position ensures SHA housing communities function as platforms that encourage social, physical, and financial health.

Required Workplace Standards

• Works regular and reliable hours on site as required.
• Attendance must be punctual and consistent.
• Works an agreed-upon schedule and works additional hours as necessary to complete work.
• Works effectively, cooperatively, and respectfully with co-workers, clients, and other contacts.
• Follows all SHA Safety Policies and Procedures.
• Follows all SHA Personnel Policies and Procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Contributes to achieving the SHA mission, compliance, and the effective and efficient administration of programs, in accordance with applicable federal, state, local, and agency regulations, rules, laws, and procedures.
• Helps residents identify, access, and coordinate needed services aligned to identified needs and goals.
• Monitors the receipt and follow through of services, including encouraging and motivating residents to engage with providers and participate in their own care/services management.
• Plans, coordinates, and attends property community events such as food banks, potlucks, informational meetings, social gatherings, and other events in coordination with Property Supervisors.
• Develops and maintains partnerships with a robust resource network of community-based service providers.
• Responds to resident inquiries and maintains up-to-date forms and resource directory for resident use.
• Provides resident de-escalation and conflict resolution support as needed.
• Maintains professional boundaries in all interactions with residents.
• Works closely with Property Supervisors, residents, and other SHA staff to support resident success and effective program administration.
• Coordinates translation and/or interpretation services for residents as needed.
• Performs related duties as assigned.
• Prepare and maintain reports and case records.
• Assist other staff with assignments as necessary.

Knowledge of:

• Advanced methods of social service coordination.
• Various computer systems and programs, data entry and database interactions, Microsoft Office products, and spreadsheet programs.
• Local community-based resources and services.
• A variety of laws, regulations, and agency policies, including:
• SHA Drug and Violent Crime Policy
• Housing Choice Voucher and Tax Credit regulations
• Washington State Landlord-Tenant Law
• State and Federal Fair Housing Laws
• Regulations and procedures as they pertain to applicant/participant eligibility and rental subsidy.

Ability to:

• Use general office equipment, such as copiers, faxes, multi-line phones, and scanners.
• Perform data entry and keyboarding tasks for extended amounts of time.
• Effectively serve very low-income, vulnerable citizens with special needs, persons with disabilities and persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP).
• Identify and communicate customer rights and discern need for reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities, mitigating circumstances and oral translation services for persons with limited English proficiency.
• Remain calm, open-minded, helpful, tactful, and professional under stressful and emotionally charged conditions.
• Respect privacy and confidentiality of residents.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with residents, fellow employees, customers, property owners/managers and various service providers/advocacy organizations.
• Effectively organize work and understand systematic procedures.
• Work independently with limited supervision, remain flexible, and exercise sound judgment.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing utilizing agency provided communication tools (phone, e-mail, text, MS Teams, etc.)
• Read, write, and understand English.

Acceptable Experience and Training

High school diploma or GED equivalency with an associate degree in social services is required. Additional coursework beyond an associate degree or certificates in service coordination may substitute for experience.

Preference is given towards experience in public/government entities, or non-profit agencies. Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work of a Service Coordinator will be considered.

Must have an acceptable credit and background history, and have and maintain a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, satisfactory driving record, and adequate insurance coverage according to SHA’s policy and insurer.

Essential Physical Abilities

Physical demands include using hands to finger, handle or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk or sit. The employee is occasionally required to reach, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl or lift. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and distance vision. The use of computer is essential to job performance.

Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions and to communicate effectively in person and on a telephone.

Work is primarily sedentary in nature. The work environment noise level is usually moderate. The employee can be exposed to outside weather conditions.

Must be able to fully function in a drug-free environment: history-free criminal/drug felony convictions.