Family Self Sufficiency Coordinator

The Housing Authority of the City of Richmond is seeking a qualified individual to fill the position of "Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Specialist". This is a full-time, hourly, non-exempt position, reporting to the President and Chief Executive Officer.

Job Description:

The primary purpose of this position is to coordinate and organize a variety of programs related to the Family Self-Sufficiency program. The incumbent assists residents with becoming self-sufficient and economically independent by determining the community's needs and providing useful resources and services. In addition, the incumbent is responsible for maintaining good working relationships with local community and social service organizations.

All activities must support the Housing Authority of the City of Richmond ("HACR" or "Authority") mission, strategic goals, and objectives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The position duties and responsibilities listed below describe the general nature and scope of work. Other responsibilities, duties, and skills may be required and assigned, as needed.

• Coordinates the Authority's efforts to help families achieve self-sufficiency through the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program:
  • Establishes and maintains contact with public and private community agencies that provide services and support to the FSS program.
  • Assists resident families in connecting with agencies appropriate for their needs.
• Develops case plans with residents individually, as a family, or in other small groups, and aids residents in mobilizing their inner capabilities and external resources to improve social functioning.
• Assists with the planning of and participates in individual or group orientations that provide residents with information regarding the FSS program.
• Performs onboarding duties for families as they join the FSS program, including but not limited to:
  • preparing contracts,
  • preparing and conducting an assessment on each, participant to identify needs,
  • documenting findings and goals.
• Provides counseling and mediation services in resolving resident/owner problems within HUD guidelines.
• Monitors progress of FSS participants and take appropriate steps in support of participants.
• Assists FSS participants by calculating escrow and establishing an escrow savings account as earned income increases.
• Collects, analyzes, and reports data on the performance of the Authority's FSS program activities.
• Abides by HACR and professional code of ethics.
• FSS Coordinators Execute Many Functions, including but not limited to:
  • Recruiting participants
  • Assessing participants
  • Helping participants set goals
  • Formalizing the Individual Training and Services Plan and Contract of Participation
  • Building partnerships with service providers
  • Supporting participants in job search, placement, retention, and advancement
  • Helping participants achieve other goals such as education, training, and preparing for homeownership
  • Making referrals to service providers
  • Monitoring participant progress
  • Maintaining escrow accounts and approving escrow disbursement
  • Determining when a participant can successfully graduate
  • Keeping records of interactions with participants
  • Facilitating coordination on FSS among management, finance, and program staff
  • Providing information to enable the PHA to complete the required HUD reporting
  • Reporting on program outcomes
• Negotiates and secures inter-agency agreements with social service providers and coordinates the referral of a broad range of services, including job counseling, training and placement assistance; health care assistance; educational assistance; legal assistance; life skills support training; family crisis intervention; and entrepreneurial skills training.
• Directs the agency in the coordination of outside service providers, community partners, and HACR development staff activities, as well as working with resident councils and residents in the provision of social and other identified service needs.
• Encourages self-sufficiency with residents and works to develop pathways to income improvement.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of services and modifies interagency agreements as needed.
• Provides supportive planning with resident organizations in the creation of resident-owned businesses and joint-venture partnerships that promote economic independence.
• Ensures effective system of communication and reporting to property management staff and Executive Director/CEO, along with coordination of resources and program planning.
• Establishes working relationships and collaboration with private organizations to secure support and technical assistance for social services planning and the coordination of service delivery.
• Identifies funding sources and grant opportunities.
• Coordinates Agency grant application activities and researches and secures alternate funding sources (if applicable).
• Serves as the Agency liaison to subsidiary, non-profit organizations focusing on providing services to HACR residents.
• Meets all job safety requirements and all applicable OSHA/PERRP safety standards that pertain to essential functions and maintains licenses and certifications as required.
• Establishes program budgets, along with securing and managing interagency funding.
• Supports a number of community-based resident programs that include crime prevention and control; youth sports and other recreational ventures; summer hiring program for public housing youth; drug elimination initiatives; and community beautification projects.
• Contacts other public housing authorities (PHA) to examine community and supportive services, and business development programs for possible integration into the department's programs.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Behavioral Competencies:
This position requires the incumbent to exhibit the following behavioral skills:

Job Knowledge:
Exhibits requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the position effectively. Demonstrates knowledge of policies, procedures, goals, objectives, operational entities, requirements, and activities as they apply to the assigned organizational entity of the Authority; uses appropriate judgment & decision making in accordance with level of responsibility.

Initiative:
Proactively seeks solutions to resolve unexpected challenges. Actively assists others without formal/informal direction. Possesses the capacity to learn and actively seeks developmental feedback. Applies feedback for continued growth by mastering concepts needed to perform work.

Safety Awareness:
Employee is cognizant of his/her surroundings. Follows proper safety procedures and considers the safety of self and others. Identifies, communicates, and assists in the correction of any safety concerns where appropriate.

Customer Service:
Meets/exceeds the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; identifies, understands, monitors, and measures the needs of both internal and external customers; talks and acts with customers in mind; and recognizes working colleagues as customers.

Teamwork:
Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

Reliability:
Employee demonstrates sound reasoning and critical thinking by making decisions in line with established Authority expectations. Performs work in a reliable manner that is both accurate and timely. Ensures a positive record of attendance.

Responsiveness and Accountability:
Demonstrates a high level of conscientiousness. Holds oneself personally responsible for one's own work and does fair share of work.

Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Social Services, Urban Studies, Public Administration or related field from an accredited College or University.

Experience with social/human services case management with the ability to learn new software programs. Experience working with social service programs that serve similar populations to HACR. Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of special programs. or a combination of education and/or experience that would allow an individual to perform the requirements of the job.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Must possess a valid US driver's license and be insurable under the Authority's plan.

Language Skills:
Ability to address the public and present information in a clear, concise, and persuasive manner.

Mathematical Skills:
Knowledge of basic mathematical processes, calculations, and functions.

Reasoning Ability:
Ability to deal effectively with situations that may require the effective use of tact, diplomacy, and firmness.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
Valid US Driver's license required. May be required to obtain additional training or certifications related to the job.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those required of an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• The work is primarily sedentary but may involve some physical exertion during visits to housing developments.
• The work also requires travel to meetings and housing authority properties and may require travel to workshops or trainings in other cities.
• Daily movements include sitting; standing; operating computers and other office equipment; moving about the office; and attending onsite and offsite meetings.
• The employee must be able to communicate via email and verbally via telephone.
• The workday may include hours beyond a regular eight (8) hour period, depending on HACR resident activities.

Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

The employee's work is primarily in an office setting, but also involves visits to housing developments, residents' homes, the offices of other agencies, community centers, and meeting halls. The employee may be exposed to outside weather conditions, and to the usual conditions associated with working in housing developments. This position may be required to work with contractors as well as Authority residents.

This description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Interested applicants who would like a copy of the full job description, please submit a request to Lisa via email. 

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and a minimum of three (3) professional references to: Keon Jackson, Executive Director/CEO-President