FACT Team Service Coordinator

Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) Service Coordinator

The Company: Pathways Vermont is a dynamic nonprofit agency committed to permanently ending homelessness and offering innovative mental health alternatives throughout Vermont.

Pathways Vermont is committed to a diverse workplace that reflects the communities we serve and is particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people interested in providing supportive social services to Vermonters including people with military experience, people with disabilities, people with lived experience with homelessness, mental health challenges, and criminal justice involvement, and people of color.

The Role: The Service Coordinator is a member of the Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) team. The service coordinator provides community-based support and coordination with other services to individuals enrolled in the program and acts as a member of an interdisciplinary team with a combined caseload. This position focuses on supporting participants with finding employment, securing benefits, and pursuing community resources and prosocial connection, but all positions on the team support participants on an as-needed basis.

Available Positions: 1

Location: In Person (Chittenden County, VT)

Schedule: Full Time (35-40 Hours Weekly) Flexible hours between 9 am - 6 pm (5 days a week for 7-8 hour shifts).

Supervised by: FACT Team Lead

Application Requirements:

A Cover Letter and Resume are required with your application.

Responsibilities:

• Engage in relationship building/rapport building with program participants and provide service from a strengths-based, participant-centered perspective, informed by self-determination and harm reduction principles.
• Collaborate with participants in the formulation and maintenance of a comprehensive, individualized Service Plan that is reviewed and modified with the participant on a regular basis.
• Assist participants in navigating the housing path including viewing units, assistance with moving in, life skill development, resolving landlord/participant disputes, etc.
• Develop a working knowledge of relevant community resources in Chittenden County and demonstrate a willingness to explore new or unfamiliar resources as necessary.
• Assist program participants with referrals to community agencies to ensure that they have full access to services and resources they require (i.e. entitlements, benefits, advocacy, substance use treatment services, etc.)
• Maintain written and computerized records, compile reports, and complete other program documentation (including case progress notes, face sheets, statistics, letters, petty cash receipts, etc.).
• Provide one to one support and counseling on life skills, housing concerns, and health maintenance, including such tasks as medication support, housekeeping, and assisting participants to manage their monies, including preparing budgets with participants and computing expenses.
• Coordinate and monitor referrals to community services, and advocate for participant participation in them; manage contacts with outside agencies and act as participant liaison where indicated.
• Educate, inform, and advocate for participants regarding benefits and entitlements (Social Security, Public Assistance, food stamps, etc.). Assist with applications and appeals as needed.
• Regular attendance is a requirement of the position.
• Attendance at the annual All Staff and Programmatic Retreats is an expectation of employment with Pathways Vermont, unless excused by the employee's manager/HR. Retreats are held on workdays, during normal working hours, and are fully paid.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or equivalent work experience preferred
• Patience, creativity, flexibility, compassion, and sensitivity to persons with disabilities and other minority populations.
• Prior experience or education in benefits coordination, substance use support, employment support, life skills support, or nursing/healthcare is considered a strong asset
• Lived experience of mental health challenges, homelessness, substance use, and/or the criminal justice system will be considered an asset
• Prior experience working in a mental health and/or harm reduction agency, preferably in community services preferred.
• An understanding of the issues facing persons with mental health challenges or substance use issues, particularly as related to meeting basic needs and navigating involvement with the criminal justice system and its impacts is valuable
• Excellent communication, writing, and computer skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills, knowledge of supportive peer counseling skills, and the ability to form relationships with marginalized individuals. Willingness to self-reflect, learn, and practice new ways of being in relationship with these individuals.
• Ability to structure time, develop work priorities independently, and meet program expectations with regard to documenting interactions.
• Independent problem-solving skills and demonstrated ability to intuitively approach challenging situations. Risk and discomfort tolerance in navigating challenging interactions with participants.
• Knowledge of community resources for mental health and substance use is considered an asset.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

• Frequent operation of a computer and other office machinery including typing
• Ability to ascend and descend stairs for viewing apartments and meeting with participants in the community
• Occasional stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, standing and lifting of arms to participate in move-in and apartment visits
• Often meeting with persons in the community and/or visiting different businesses
• Frequent walking around the community to participate in viewing apartments and supporting participants
• Frequent talking and listening in participation of exchanging ideas through spoken word and occasional receipt and giving of detailed information through oral communication
• Moderate reading responsibilities
• Occasionally lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds (i.e. carrying groceries, supporting with move-in, etc.)
• Frequent exposure to outside environmental conditions (all seasons) in accompanying participants in the community
• Possible exposure to high levels of noise, and aggressive energy while supporting participants in stressful situations

Driving Requirements:

• Valid driver's license, a reliable personal vehicle available for work purposes and current automobile insurance required

Compensation:

• $25 per hour

Benefits:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Long Term Disability/Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off (accrual of 210 hours per year to start)
• 9 Paid Holidays Annually
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• $500 Yearly Wellness Reimbursement
• Longevity Recognition Rewards
• Access to a wide variety of Pathways Vermont-facilitated trainings, including Intentional Peer Support

It is the policy of Pathways Vermont that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment in employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, veteran status, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identification, or disability.

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