Community Health Specialist

ABOUT US: - We believe that everyone deserves a home!

Breaking Ground operates nearly 4,000 units of housing across New York City, along with housing in upstate New York and Connecticut. Supportive housing - affordable housing paired with services designed to help people maintain their homes for the long-term - is widely recognized as a proven and cost-effective solution to chronic homelessness.

But we didn't stop at providing housing. Breaking Ground's programs and services help people experiencing street homelessness - especially those who have been on the streets the longest - to come indoors. Through our Street to Home outreach program and transitional housing resources, we help people get, and stay, on the path to a permanent home.

Community Health Specialist, Safe Options Support LOCATION (The job description should be the same for both The Rockaways and Staten Island

Reporting to the Assistant Director, Programs, Safe Options Support the Community Health Specialist, Safe Options Support (SOS) provides on-site and field assessments and support for the SOS outreach teams in Staten Island who engage with individuals to determine homelessness history, services needed, and appropriate placement options. The Community Health Specialist ensures the utilization of Harm Reduction and Housing First strategies and other best-practice interventions to ensure the highest quality care for clients. The Community Health Specialist carries a caseload and is responsible for ensuring client records are kept in compliance with regulatory and agency standards.  

The Community Health Specialist works primarily during business hours Monday-Friday, with off hours availability in case of emergency or for special projects/initiatives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Carry a caseload of clients
• Assist with outreach and engaging with identified persons currently experiencing homelessness and living with chronic medical conditions in Staten Island
• Promote effective strategies for case management following Housing First, Harm Reduction, Critical Time Intervention (CTI), Motivational Interviewing and trauma-informed care models of practice
• Develop and implement individual service plans; ensure documentation of client contact and progress is comprehensive and timely
• Help troubleshoot, problem solve, and strategize solutions around client engagement and challenging behaviors
• Coordinate delivery of care with multiple service providers, particularly outreach teams and transitional and permanent housing providers, including conducting case conferences
• Perform other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• NYS Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW) or NYS Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) strongly preferred.  Minimum requirement: MSW, MHC, MPH, or MPA
• Previous experience with related populations strongly preferred
• Thorough clinical understanding of relevant service delivery concepts and structures including Housing First, client centered motivational interviewing, Harm Reduction models, behavioral and medical health systems, and the ability to access and negotiate the full range of services for recipients
• Experience with crisis intervention, including, risk assessments and incident management
• Ability to work successfully with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
• Demonstrated success in working in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities
• Ability to communicate (verbally and written) with diverse populations and stakeholders
• Valid NY, NJ, CT, or PA driver’s license with a good driving record, as defined by Breaking Ground, is required
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite programs including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Microsoft Teams; familiarity with Access-based databases and the ability to learn new programs are required
• Bilingual preferred