Kauhale Housing Specialist - Behavioral Health at Mental Health Kokua – Honolulu, Hawaii

Mental Health Kokua (MHK) is hiring a Full-Time Kauhale Housing Specialist on Oahu to support residents in a high-acuity, fast-paced community housing setting. This position is part of a restructured Kauhale program focused on proactive engagement, clear expectations, and consistent daily support for individuals transitioning out of homelessness.

As a Kauhale Housing Specialist, you will work directly with residents experiencing significant housing instability and complex behavioral health needs. This role requires sound judgment, steady presence, and the ability to maintain structure and safety in a shared housing environment with frequent transitions.

What You’ll Do (Responsibilities)

• Resident Engagement & Mentoring: Conduct daily check-ins and support residents with daily living skills, problem-solving, and shared housing expectations
• Recovery-Oriented Support: Support self-directed goals using strengths-based, person-centered approaches
• Residential Environment (Milieu): Maintain a safe, clean, structured, and respectful shared living environment
• Household Operations & Activities: Support shopping, chore coordination, basic maintenance follow-up, and resident activities
• Safety & Crisis Response: Respond to emergencies and behavioral escalations and complete required incident reports
• Documentation & Service Planning: Complete timely progress notes, service documentation, and support resident service plan goals
• Resident Supervision & Medication Monitoring: Monitor resident activity and observe self-administration of medication as appropriate to the level of care
• Team Collaboration & Supervision: Participate in clinical supervision, training, and ongoing professional development

Kauhale Housing Specialist Qualifications

• Minimum: High school diploma or equivalent
• Preferred: Experience in homeless services, behavioral health, residential programs, shelters, or other high-needs environments
• Skills: Strong communication, emotional resilience, situational awareness, problem-solving, and ability to maintain professional boundaries
• Certifications: CPR, First Aid, and TB clearance (or willingness to obtain)
• Fit for the Role: Comfortable working in a high-acuity, shared housing environment with adults experiencing homelessness and complex support needs

Requirements & Work Conditions

• Ability to pass a criminal background check and rdrug/alcohol screening
• Work takes place in an active community housing environment with frequent interaction and movement
• Work involves standing, walking, responding to emergent situations, and occasional lifting up to 25 lbs

Benefits of Joining MHK

• Medical & Vision Insurance (UHA or Kaiser)
• Dental Insurance (HDS)
• Supplemental Insurance (Aflac)
• Pet Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Identity Theft & Legal Protection
• Paid Leave & Holiday Pay
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility

Why Mental Health Kokua?

At Mental Health Kokua, we believe in Opportunities to Begin Again. Kauhale housing supports individuals at critical transition points, where stability is built through structure, consistency, and respectful engagement. In this role, your daily presence helps create an environment that supports safety, accountability, and progress.

This full-time role supports individuals during high-need transitions in community housing. We welcome applications from candidates ready for that responsibility.