Incumbents are responsible for providing housing services to Boston's older adults, which include advocating on behalf of older adults in housing court, responding to emergency housing situations, shelter placement, conducting housing search, placement and processing applications, monitoring safety conditions, advocating for programs and services, preparing statistical reports and records, and performing related duties.

• Assist Boston’s older adults with housing related issues including but not limited to: housing applications, negotiation and mediation, shelter information, etc.
• Assist older adults with ongoing housing search and application.
• Conduct home visits as needed and assess safety conditions.  Monitor progress.
• Advocate on behalf of Boston’s older adults in housing court, through landlord/tenant mediation, etc.
• Respond daily to emergency housing situations; secure emergency housing when applicable.
• Maintain ongoing relationship with clients on caseload to ensure they are connected to supports and services.
• Advocate on behalf of the Age Strong Commission and Boston’s older adults for increased affordable housing.
• As mandated reporters, collaborate with Protective Services on cases related to abuse, self neglect, financial exploitation, etc.
• Effectively communicates and promotes Age Strong Commission programs through community outreach and engagement.
• Facilitates workshops and conducts presentations about housing related policies and issues.
• Collaborates with Inspectional Services Department, Department of Neighborhood Development, stakeholders, and Age Strong Commission staff around complex housing cases (i.e. hoarding).
• As needed, refer older adults for additional mental health evaluations.
• Collaborates with City departments and outside agencies around individual housing cases and housing related issues.
• Prepares, maintains, updates, and compiles a variety of operational and statistical data, records, reports, and files.
• Maintain an updated electronic database of client information as well as housing sites/contacts, etc.
• Provides unit coverage to include: answering phones, assisting walk-ins, etc.
• Provides on-call coverage for the Age Strong Commission.
• Provides timely follow-up to effectuate service into resolution.
• Conducts all interaction in a positive and professional manner.
• Performs related work as required. 

• Minimum three (3) years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience in the support of human service programs, including case management services and assessment.
• Certification, training, or formal education in counseling and/or case management, substance abuse and mental health preferred.
• A bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field is highly preferred. 
• Knowledge of city, state and federal housing policy and programs preferred.
• Familiarity with affordable housing and housing subsidies and experience with crisis intervention in issues such as homelessness and affordable housing access. 
• Experience and comfortability delivering services to a multiracial, multicultural and multilingual population experiencing complex challenges including addiction and untreated or under-treated mental health concerns.
• Understanding of and commitment to Motivational Interviewing, harm reduction, cultural competency and trauma informed care.
• Experience with Senior Housing programs highly preferred.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with government agencies, management companies, community organizations and older adults highly preferred.
• Strong outreach advocacy and presentation skills are highly preferred.
• Ability to set and maintain personal and professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently required.
• Strong organizational and problem solving ability.
• Ability to give team feedback; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on detail as required by the job.
• Compliance to documented policies and procedures.
• Experience in typical office software systems (Microsoft Office, and Google Suite) preferred. 
• Bilingual (Spanish, Haitian Creole, CapeVerdean Creole, Vietnamese, Cantonese, or Mandarin) preferred .
• MA Driver’s License preferred.
• Travel throughout Boston may be required in support of the position’s responsibilities.
• Flexible schedule as some nights and weekends are required.

Subject to C.O.R.I. check

Boston Residency Required

Terms:
Union/PayGrade/PayScale:

SEIU, RL-14
Hours per week: 35