Supportive Housing Mental Health Residential Specialist

Supportive Housing Mental Health Residential Specialist Job Description:

Established in 1948, The Mission of ASCEND Mental Wellness is to encourage and assist individuals in discovering pathways to their optimal mental health and wellness, while supporting hope and awareness of well-being in our community.

We are seeking a Supportive Housing Mental Health Residential Specialists to join our Supportive Housing - Housing First and Cooper Street Apartments teams. We have full-time, relief, and temporary to permanent opportunities available.

Housing First Program:

Housing First provides safe, affordable, permanent housing for 18 individuals with histories of being homeless as well as being disabled by mental illness and/or substance abuse. The priority of this housing model is to provide stable housing in an empowering, supportive environment with the goals of increasing residential stability, enhancing tenant skills and fostering greater self-determination. The program consists of 12 one bedroom and 6 studio apartments, a community area and a large fenced in yard.

Cooper Street Apartment Program:

Our Cooper Street program serves homeless/low-income individuals and families, including children to maintain safe, permanent, supportive housing. We have the honor of offering homeless/low income individuals and families in need a place to call home while working on self-identified goals. Working with the households to achieve these goals, maintain benefits and achieve a personal level of independence is a snapshot of the services being offered in Supportive Housing. Other activities include outings to local attractions, game nights, creative art projects and additional recreational activities. Monthly meetings with tenants and their residential specialist will allow continued progress towards achieving personal and family milestones, while strengthening the professional relationship. Whether a tenant chooses to make our residence their forever home, or, to utilize our services as a tool to bridge the gap of a life-changing crisis, the Supportive Housing team is here to help them with their journey.

Individual must be well motivated and committed to making a difference in people's lives.

Supportive Housing Mental Health Residential Specialist QualificationsEducation Requirements:

• One year of Direct Care experience in Human Services.
• Associate's Degree preferred.
• Valid driver's license required.

Supportive Housing Mental Health Residential Specialist Job Responsibilities include, but not limited to, the following:

• Develop individual service plans with assigned residents, coordinate with other care providers (i.e. day program, medical and mental health providers).
• Provide behavioral intervention when necessary and work with residents to utilize self-control/improved coping skills in de-escalation.
• Provide informal case management services and advocacy to residents as needed.
• Provide transportation to appointments on occasion.
• Assist supervisor with statistical reporting, collection of fees. Provide documentation for all financial transactions as required by the supervisor.
• Assist residents as appropriate with housekeeping direction and/or small tasks.
• Assist with Pest Control procedures/protocols.
• Be attentive to the building and its functioning, make small repairs as needed and inform supervisor of larger maintenance issues Light cleaning in public spaces as needed.
• Act as On Call as scheduled.
• Attend regularly scheduled staff meetings and required in-service training.
• Encourage effective communication, personal and interpersonal awareness and independence among staff and residents.
• Adhere to all OTDA/NYSSHP, OMH/ESSHI and HUD requirements.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to ensure a supportive and safe environment following established protocols.

Full-time positions offer a comprehensive benefit package including health and dental insurance, 11 holidays, 2 floating holidays, vacation, sick/personal time and 401(k).

A $1,000 sign-on bonus is available for this position.

ASCEND Mental Wellness 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 applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.