Homeless Services Specialist I - Diversion Caseworker, #48460

City of Virginia Beach; Virginia Beach (VA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Retirement plans

Parental leave

Holidays and sick leave

Job summary

A local government agency in Virginia Beach seeks a Diversion Case Manager to address homelessness by assessing client needs and connecting them to resources. This position involves creating diversion plans, mediating housing solutions, and ensuring clients receive comprehensive support. Strong communication and creative problem-solving skills are essential, along with the ability to work under pressure. The position offers a generous benefits package including health and retirement plans.

Qualifications

• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Skill in connecting clients to housing resources.
• Knowledge of homelessness best practices.
• Display empathy and compassion.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Assess clients' situations and develop diversion plans.
• Mediating housing solutions with family members.
• Coordinating support from service providers.
• Display and demonstrate empathy and compassion.

Skills

Creative problem-solving

Excellent written and verbal communication

Empathy and compassion

Communication skills

Community resources familiarity

Job description

The CoC and Homeless Programs Unit of the Homeless Services division of the Housing and Neighborhood Preservation department ensures individuals and families who are unsheltered connect to shelter and stable housing opportunities. The Coordinated Assessment (CA) Team is one of three teams in this unit. The work of the CA Team includes completing assessments on all persons presenting to the Virginia Beach Homeless Response System, entering them into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) for shelter and housing, and connecting households to mainstream resources. In addition, the CA Team is responsible for providing diversion services with the goal of identifying alternative housing solutions to households presenting for shelter.

The Diversion Case Manager plays an integral role in conducting assessments of the needs of households experiencing homelessness, then connecting them to appropriate services and resources that will enable them to end their episode of homelessness as quickly as possible.

Duties include:

• Assess a client's situation, identify potential barriers to housing, and work with the individual to develop a diversion plan
• Mediate with family members and friends to negotiate housing solutions
• Coordinate with service providers and agencies to ensure clients receive comprehensive support
• Display and demonstrate empathy and compassion

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following:

• Ability to work well under pressure
• Skill in creative problem-solving that helps clients prevent or divert from homelessness
• Knowledge of issues and best practices related to homelessness, housing opportunities, and programs for homeless individuals and families
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Familiarity with relevant community resources

The City offers a generous benefits package, which includes health, dental and life insurance, retirement and savings plans, maternity/paternity and parental leave, holidays and sick and annual leave.

The City of Virginia Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer.