ApartmentConnect Specialist

Rti Mn; Minnesota; On-site; USD 40,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous PTO

On-Demand Pay

Paid Holidays

401(k) with company matching

Health Benefits

Professional Growth

Career Advancement Opportunities

Job summary

Residential Transitions, Inc. (RTI) is seeking an ApartmentConnect Specialist to assist tenants with mental health and substance use needs at a Minnesota apartment complex.

The role emphasizes coordinating services, referrals, and paperwork with county social services and property management to support housing stability. The position requires collaboration with RTI, Dakota County, and local partners, with compensation listed as $44,500 annually and full-time status in Dakota County.

Qualifications

• To meet Minnesota Housing Support requirements, all candidates must meet one or more of the following: A degree in a health- or human services-related field (Associate’s, BA, or BS); OR at least one year of experience with the target population (mental illness, substance use disorders, or related needs); OR certification and experience as a Mental Health Certified Peer Specialist; OR meet requirements for unlicensed personnel under Minnesota statutes; Hold a valid driver’s license, transportation, and current insurance if transporting tenants; Ability to pass appropriate background checks; Ability to work with culturally diverse populations.

Responsibilities

• Establish trusting relationships with tenants and connect them to services.
• Explore creative housing solutions to maintain housing stability and prevent homelessness.
• Respond to referrals from Property Manager and determine eligibility for programs.
• Learn about and coordinate mental health services and community resources.
• Coordinate with system partners and community organizations to bring on-site services.
• Provide site-based tenant support and maintain partnerships with stakeholders.
• Respond to crises in coordination with local law enforcement and state social services.
• Track service outcomes and report program metrics monthly.
• Complete other duties as assigned by leadership.

Job description

At Residential Transitions, Inc. (RTI), our mission is to help people improve their quality of life by empowering them with knowledge, resources, and skills—while always treating them with dignity and respect. We proudly serve individuals across Minnesota who are living with mental illness, substance use challenges, and other disabilities. Our services support people living independently in the community, in their own homes, as well as in our residential settings. Through compassionate care and a person-centered approach, we aim to make a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve.

ApartmentConnect Specialist Company Overview:
At Residential Transitions, Inc. (RTI), our mission is to help people improve their quality of life by empowering them with knowledge, resources, and skills—while always treating them with dignity and respect. We proudly serve individuals across Minnesota who are living with mental illness, substance use challenges, and other disabilities. Our services support people living independently in the community, in their own homes, as well as in our residential settings. Through compassionate care and a person-centered approach, we aim to make a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve. Position Overview:

The purpose of the ApartmentConnect Specialist is to assist tenants that have mental health concerns and/or substance use disorders, physical health needs, and barriers to adequate food and transportation. The ApartmentConnect Specialist will be working on-site at the apartment complex(s) to provide in-person support to the tenants and to continue an increased flexibility of service delivery to support the complex needs of each resident. The services offered may be broad or intensive and could include referrals as well as service coordination with county Social Services, contracted case management, mental/chemical health services, public assistance and benefits programs, community organizations, as well as providing assistance with paperwork and tenant issues. The ApartmentConnect Specialist will collaborate with RTI, Dakota County, and property management to work together to offer services and referrals to Dakota County residents at the assigned apartment complexes.

Role Responsibilities:

• Establish trusting relationships with tenants so they feel comfortable accepting services.
• Prioritize exploring creative solutions to maintaining housing for all tenants. When a disruption does occur, connect tenant to a better suited living environment to reduce the risk of homelessness and the strain on Dakota County Social Services (DCSS), community partners, and other homeless response services.
• Respond to referral from Property Manager to provide a timely follow-up contact with the tenant to determine if the individual/household is interested and/or eligible for voluntarily programs offered through Dakota County or community-based organization.
• Learn mental health crisis and other services offered by DCSS, including the roles and responsibilities of the 24 hour, seven days a week, Crisis Response Unit (CRU) and on-going mental health programs.
• Link or refer tenants to programs and services included in the service grid to promote housing stability and affordability including:
• Coordinate with your assigned system partners: Embedded Social Worker and their Law Enforcement Partner as well as the Multi-Family Officer.
• Building relationships and partnerships with stakeholders is critical to providing site-based tenant support services.
• Coordinate with community organizations to bring services and/or events on-site as appropriate and approved by property management.
• Could include food access program, community events with Parks and Recreation, summer cookouts, etc.
• Respond in accordance with RTI’s policies, when available and assistance is requested, to a mental health crisis or emergency in coordination with Law Enforcement, the DCSS’s 24 hours, seven days a week, CRU, the Embedded Social Worker, and Crisis Stabilization.
• Decrease the number of service calls to apartment complex by connecting tenants to ongoing support services necessary to prevent mental health and physical health crisis and to encourage preventative engagement.
• Track outcome measures based on how many residents are receiving services, how many participants are POC, number of hours provided, incidents that have occurred, satisfaction of participants and stakeholders, and how the services are being utilized.
• Send out monthly reports to Dakota County and RTI reporting on the program outcomes and how many social services referrals have been made.
• Other tasks as assigned by Area Director/Department Director/Lead ApartmentConnect Lead.

Required Qualification and Experience:

To meet Minnesota Housing Support requirements, all candidates must meet one or more of the following:

• A degree in a health- or human services-related field (Associate’s, Bachelor of Arts, or Bachelor of Science); OR
• At least one year of experience working with the target population (individuals with mental illness, substance use disorders, or related needs); OR
• Certification and experience as a Mental Health Certified Peer Specialist; OR
• Meet the requirements for unlicensed personnel under Minnesota Statutes (sections 144A.43 to 144A.483)
• Hold a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and current insurance if transporting tenants
• Ability to pass a Department of Human Services background check.
• Ability to pass the BCA Criminal Background Check and the Sexual Exploitation of Patients by Psychotherapist screen required by DHS.
• Ability to pass screening required by Federal Human Services office of the Inspector General
• Ability to work with culturally diverse populations.

Benefits of Working at RTI:

• Generous PTO:Accrue paid time off based on tenure: up to 80-168 hours annually depending on years of service
• On-Demand Pay:Access your earned pay anytime.
• Paid Holidays:7 company-paid holidays + 1 floating holiday.
• Retirement:401(k) with company matching contribution.
• Health Benefits:Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Professional Growth:CEU courses, clinical supervision, and monthly paid trainings relevant to services provided.
• Career Advancement Opportunities:Grow within RTI.

Compensation: 44,500/annually

Type: Full-Time

Location: Dakota County

Physical & Mental Requirements:

Employees in this role must be able to:

• Walk, stand, sit, bend, climb stairs, and perform crisis prevention/intervention techniques
• Use hands for writing, typing, and data entry
• Lift up to 40 lbs. and occasionally exert physical effort during duties
• Maintain vision and hearing necessary for reading charts, operating office equipment, using a computer, and driving a vehicle

Be the difference by making a difference. Advance your career in mental health today and change someone’s life tomorrow with Residential Transitions Inc., an award-winning organization that puts the people they serve and employ first.

RTI provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.