Intake Specialist – Part Time Weekends

Housing Resources, Inc.; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 19,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

Housing Resources, Inc. is seeking Intake Specialists to join the Coordinated Entry Team. You will complete intake and shelter access screenings, prepare client profiles, and coordinate with partner organizations to remove barriers to services.

These weekend, part-time positions require compassion, strong data entry skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. You will help ensure 24/7 coverage and provide supportive case management to individuals experiencing homelessness.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma required.
• Minimum of 1 year of customer service experience.
• Lived experience with homelessness or housing crisis preferred.

Responsibilities

• Meet with clients by phone, virtual meetings, or in person to complete intakes with empathy.
• Follow intake schedule and contact clients for missed appointments and rescheduling.
• Conduct community outreach to complete intakes with underserved people including shelters and organizations.
• Participate in Coordinated Entry meetings with partner agencies.
• Document all client and agency activities in records within two business days.
• Communicate information verbally and in writing in a professional manner.
• Utilize live data entry to avoid duplication of records.
• Assist with data collection for reporting and program development.
• Provide coverage for housing staff during absences and vacancies as needed.
• Participate in case conferences and team meetings.
• Adhere to policies, procedures, laws, and agency objectives.
• Maintain confidentiality of client and agency information.

Skills

Customer service

Communication skills

De-escalation

Written communication

Organizational skills

Computer skills

Teamwork

Punctuality

Driver's license

Education

High School Diploma

Job description

of Positions Available: 2

Status: Part Time Weekends
First position: 8:30AM – 4:30PM Saturday and Sunday
Second position: Saturday 4:30pm through 12:30am Sunday and 4:30pm Sunday through 12:30am Monday.

++BASIC PURPOSE:++
The Intake Specialist is a member of the Coordinated Entry Team and is responsible for completing the intake and shelter access screening process with the goal of providing a completed client profile.
Basic functions require effective teamwork and coordination, accurate and proficient data entry, compassionate approach to people needing services, and a strong collaborative approach in working with partnership community organizations.
The Intake Specialist position supports coordinated entry and shelter access services that operate twenty-four hours daily, seven days a week including weekends and holidays. Intake Specialists are required to ensure that these services are available without disruption. This includes warm handoff to next scheduled specialist on duty, ensuring no gap in coverage.

++PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:++

1. Meet with clients by telephone, virtual meetings, or in person to complete intakes demonstrating respect, empathy, and compassion.

2. Execute the intake schedule by completing all appointments as scheduled, contacting clients for missed appointments and rescheduling.

3. Conduct community outreach to complete intakes with underserved people wherever needed including day and night shelters, and community organizations as scheduled.

4. Participate in the Coordinated Entry meetings with partnering agencies as assigned.

5. Document all client and agency related business and activities accurately and formally in all applicable electronic and paper records and systems within two business days.

6. Communicate information to clients verbally and in writing using formal, easy to understand, and professional methods.

7. Utilize live data entry in systems to avoid duplication of paper and electronic records.

8. Assist with data collection as necessary for reporting and program development.

9. Function as a highly responsive team member with prompt, efficient and detailed responses to phone calls, emails and in person visits within two business days. Immediately respond to emergent issues.

10. Function as the Agency’s fair housing representative when assigned.

11. Maintain an active knowledge of all HRI programs, including eligibility requirements and services available including existing and emerging programs.

12. Maintain an active understanding of community resources available to the public.

13. Provide process improvement recommendations and implementation strategies to expedite programs and services as assigned.

14. Provide coverage for housing department staff during absence or vacancies in overall support of the emergent needs of clients.

15. Participate in case conferences, team, staff, and community meetings and committees as scheduled and assigned.

16. Review and comply with all applicable policies and procedures, regulations and laws related to providing services to clients and agency strategic objectives.

17. Adhere to all agency policies and procedures, local, state, and federal laws, and regulations.

18. Act with compassion, empathy, and care for people experiencing homelessness and housing crisis.

19. Maintain the confidentiality and privacy of client and agency business at all times.

In the event of staff absences or position vacancies (i.e. paid time off, medical leaves of absence), will perform additional responsibilities as necessary to meet department and/or organizational outcomes and objectives.
Execute cross-training/back-up processes to ensure on-going direct client services to accomplish the organization’s mission.
Infuse pride in organizational mission, vision, and values by acting with integrity, honesty, and knowledge that promotes culture and mission.
Performs other duties as assigned.

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS/SCOPE:
++MINIMUM EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED++:
High School Diploma required.
and
Minimum of 1 year of experience in customer service is required. Lived experience with homelessness or housing crisis preferred.
++KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES++:

• Excellent customer service skills including problem solving, de-escalation techniques and responding to client need for information.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Ability to work in a fast paced, high volume, office environment or independently.
• Strong organizational skills
• Proficient computer and telephone skills
• Experience working independently and as a team member.
• Demonstrated experience working with a diverse group of individuals.
• Professional work and punctuality habits are necessary to accomplish organizational goals.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable personal transportation