Behavioral Intervention Specialist

AKRON METROPOLITAN HOUSING AUTHORITY

Job Title: Behavioral Intervention Specialist

Reports to: Resident Services Manager

Department: Resident Services

Date: November, 2024

FLSA Status: Exempt

Minimum Salary: $53,700

General Purpose:

The primary purpose of this position is to provide support to service coordinators and property management to assist with AMHA public housing residents that are experiencing crisis situations, behaviors that lead residents to a high-risk of eviction, and/or have tenant-to-tenant concerns. The successful candidate will address those issues with immediate and long-term mediation techniques, and by connecting residents to community partners and resources. This position will provide supportive measures for behavior that could disrupt a resident's ability to maintain public housing. The Behavioral Intervention Specialist will be the primary individual responsible for the mediation of tenant-to-tenant concerns and behavior that rises to the level where intervention is appropriate. The Behavioral Intervention Specialist will work closely with Property Management and Service Coordinators to intervene in cases of moderate to severe behavioral crisis. This position will provide programming to support and enhance skill building for current residents and staff. The incumbent is responsible for maintaining good working relationships with Resident Services, housing operations teams, local service providers, and community partners.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

• The successful candidate will apply active listening and problem-solving skills to facilitate communication and help parties find a mutually acceptable solution. This position requires excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to remain impartial and unbiased.
• Provides intervention and prevention techniques for residents in need of crisis mediation, mental health concerns, conflict resolution and applies solutions when behavioral intervention is appropriate.
• Assists in connecting Public Housing residents to long-term counseling services, behavioral health services, addiction services and other applicable community resources.

• The Behavioral Intervention Specialist meets with residents to create steps that lead to short-term and long-term care plans and connections to applicable resources.
• Follow up with resident(s) referred to community partners and create short and long-term plans for.

• Coordinates and/or conducts support groups to assist residents to reconnect with their communities and develop healthy coping skills.
• Connects residents and agency to community partners including safety, behavioral health and other applicable community resources.
• Serves as the main outreach and intervention staff member responding to conflict resolution requests through the Requests for Services (RFS) tool.
• Maintains confidentiality of residents and knowledge of rules and regulations regarding confidentiality.

• Provides staff training on best practices relative to mediation and behavioral health services.
• Accurately and consistently enters case notes and other required data (referrals, program participation tracking, milestones, etc.) in AMHA's case management databases regarding new and existing clients; enters information into AMHA databases and spreadsheets as appropriate for various grants and reports as required by AMHA.

• Promotes use of program services that maximize residents' capabilities and external resources to improve behavioral health and social functioning.
• Refers residents to appropriate supportive services, community agencies, and resources; provides linkages to resources such as: transportation, medical and mental health care, social interaction, legal, financial, and placement recommendations as necessary.
• Networks and forms relationships with other housing professionals and service providers, health care providers, social service personnel and other community agencies to obtain services for residents, thereby promoting and building effective systems of care through coordination with community partners. Ensures that communication with appropriate AMHA staff is conducted in a professional way.
• Monitors services provided by outside agencies to ensure program is being delivered according to contracts and resident needs.
• Partners with local community groups, social service organizations, and businesses to coordinate events for behavioral health trauma, social mediation and any other applicable program or service. Prepares correspondence, technical and status reports, etc., in a timely manner, to keep management informed of the progress of their cases.
• Communicates and collaborates with other Resident Services team members and Property Managers.
• Plans and implements conflict resolution skill building workshops for residents and other applicable skill building resources.
• Participates in bi-monthly full staff meetings, service coordinator and property manager meetings, department meetings and others meetings as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

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

Commitment: Sets high standards of performance; pursues aggressive goals and works hard/smart to achieve them; strives for results and success; conveys a sense of urgency and brings issues to closure; persists despite obstacles and opposition.

Customer Service: Demonstrates customer friendly service and commitment to both internal and external customers (residents, general public, vendors, visitors and AMHA employees). Promptly provides professional and courteous service as required.

Communication/Interpersonal: Demonstrates clear, effective verbal and written communication skills. Informs others of relevant information on a timely basis. Builds positive and productive relationships with others. Maintains confidentiality and trust. Maintains ongoing professional dialogue with others regarding business matters.

Dependability/Work Habits: Arrives to work on a timely basis. Performs work accurately. Maintains satisfactory attendance. Follows instructions and completes tasks in a timely manner. If cannot complete task within required time, notifies appropriate person with alternate plan or assists with developing an alternate plan.

Teamwork: Willingly shares responsibility for work with co-workers, strives to accomplish team goals and objectives. Demonstrates flexibility in balancing job responsibilities and the ability to deal with change. Open to new ideas and approaches.

Job Competencies:

• Knowledge of policies, procedures, goals, objectives, operational entities, requirements, and activities as they apply to the assigned organizational entity in the AMHA.
• Knowledge of the applicable HUD rules and regulations as they pertain to public housing.
• Comprehensive knowledge of resources for elderly and residents with disabilities that are available through community agencies.
• Knowledge of the needs and attitudes of the physically, socially, and economically disadvantaged, particularly the elderly and mentally and physically disabled population, and ability to communicate with individuals of varying social, educational, and economic backgrounds.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in analyzing situations, and make decisions in a timely manner.
• Ability to present information, both orally and through writing, effectively and in a clear, concise, and convincing manner.
• Ability to prepare clear, concise, visually attractive, and accurate reports, correspondence, instructions, training manuals, and other written materials.
• Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive, complex, and confidential issues and situations.
• Ability to understand and practice the rules of confidentiality.
• Ability to assimilate information and present it in a concise, manner
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, tenants, officials, and the general public.

Education, Experience and Certifications:

Bachelor's degree in a social services field or related field (counseling or psychology) preferred and 3-5years of case management experience in a behavioral health, medical, social service or public housing organization primarily working with mild to moderate mediation and crisis intervention services, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Ability to attend and complete mediation training and certificates provided by AMHA. Must possess a valid Ohio driver's license and be insurable under AMHA's policies.

Computer Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should possess strong computer skills and be proficient in ETO (or ability to be trained) and Microsoft Office applications. Familiarity with Tenmast is desirable. Must be able to learn other computer software programs as required by assigned tasks.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to maintain a stationary position, operate computers and other office equipment, move about the office, attend onsite and offsite meetings, and communicate. The employee must be able to accurately exchange information in person, in writing and via e-mail and telephone. The employee must occasionally transport up to 10 pounds.

Working Conditions: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job:

Office Environment

AMHA offers a culture committed to diversity, equity and inclusion; comprehensive compensation and benefits program including, but not limited to: Competitive salary; Participation in the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System; Excellent medical, free dental and vision plans with minimal out of pocket cost; Basic Life insurance; Fourteen paid holidays; Paid vacation, personal and sick plans.

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