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Summary: Primary responsibilities include conducting a comprehensive assessment for all individuals and families seeking assistance through the HCEC. The Assessment Specialist is responsible for carrying ongoing caseload of clients applying for emergency financial assistance programs, conducting screening and determining eligibility for all of HCEC's Homelessness Prevention Programs. In addition to the assessment, duties include working with clients during financial assistance application process to ensure all cases follow state set rules and regulations, furthermore, provide information and referrals (I&R) for community-based resources and connect clients to additional internal/external services, based on their needs.

Why Work for SMOC?

+ Paid Time Off: All full-time employees can accrue up to 3 weeks of vacation, and 2 weeks of sick time and are eligible for 12 paid holidays during their first year of employment.

+ Employer-paid Life Insurance & AD&D and Long-Term Disability for full-time employees.

+ Comprehensive Benefits Package including Medical Plans through Mass General Brigham with an HRA Employer cost-sharing program, Dental Plans with Orthodontic Coverage, and EyeMed Vision Insurance available to full-time employees.

+ 403(B) Retirement Plan with a company match starting on day one for all full-time and part-time employees.

+ Additional voluntary benefits including ; Term and Whole Life Insurance, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital indemnity, and Short-Term Disability.

+ Flexible Spending Accounts, Dependent Care Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement and more.

Primary Responsibilities:

+ Assess each family’s housing situation and supportive service needs and determine most viable resources and if financial assistance can be accessed to rapidly re-house the family or prevent the family from becoming homeless.

+ Work collaboratelly with Intake team assessing client's file by reviewing documentation uploaded into E2E portal and verifying housing crisis for all individuals/families seeking financial assistance; which includes, ensuring completion of case file, and/or request additional documents from client based on need, in accordance to program’s guidance and requirements.

+ Maintain direct contact with applicants/landlords and advocates, to ensure applications are successfully processed in a timely manner.

+ Carry ongoing caseload of files to be processed, and continuously accept new cases from OMNI-E2E ; follow DHCD guidance on time-out of cases, denials and submitting them for final review.

+ Participate in ongoing trainings and meetings offered by DHCD on E2E updates and understand thoroughly all homelessness prevention programs rules and guidance.

+ Serve as client advocate, mediate and negotiate with landlords, utility companies and third party vendors to ensure client's housing stability.

+ Create and continuously update HCEC binder, to be used as ongoing reference for general program questions and guidance.

+ Participate and collaborate with other SMOC departments and staff to ensure appropriate case coordination between all SMOC programs including the HCEC and Family Emergency Services to assure maximization of services and to avoid duplication of efforts.

+ Engage in continuous learning activities, including attending internal/external trainings , staying abreast of all program guidance updates and local community events and opportunities.

+ Maintain workload expectations while working remotely/hybrid.

+ Participates in daily huddle and provides caseload updates to HCEC Supervisor’s.

+ Engage all clients by understanding and addressing their needs whether within or outside the scope of work.

+ Maintain confidentiality of client, employee and agency information in accordance with federal and state laws and funder requirements.

+ Ensure compliance with program/department, agency and/or funder requirements, as well as SMOC policies & procedures.

+ Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements:

+ Associate's degree with one year of relevant work experience in social services or housing services with low-income, minority and disabled individuals preferred. Or three years of direct care/social service experience.

+ Strong oral and written communication skills in English; bilingual in either Spanish or Portuguese strongly preferred

+ Experience in customer service, and working in fast paced environment a plus

+ Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, Internet search, and Outlook email

+ Ability to work independently and carry ongoing caseload

+ Ability to work under pressure and handle time sensitive tasks.

+ Assessment, advocacy and case management skills a plus .

Organizational Relationship: Directly reports to HCEC Intake Supervisor. Indirectly reports to HCEC Director.

Physical Requirement: Must be able to sit or stand for a prolonged period of time. Must be able to operate a computer and complete extensive paperwork. Must be able to lift up to 25lbs.

Working Conditions: As part of the responsibilities of this position, the Assessment Specialist will have direct or incidental contact with clients served by SMOC in various programs funded or administered through the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. A successful background check is required.

Remote Work Option: Remote work is permissible in some positions at SMOC depending on the key functions and responsibilities. The Assessment Specialist position is eligible to work from home 0-40% of the week in scheduling coordination with the department manager.

9am-5pm ; Monday-Friday

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