Housing and Employment Specialist

HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT PROFESSIONAL

Position Summary

The Housing & Employment Specialist provides community-based housing navigation (from crisis to permanent options) and evidence-informed employment services (job development, placement, and follow-along supports), functioning as a core member of the CCBHC interdisciplinary team. The Specialist coordinates with internal clinicians/peers/medical providers and external partners (landlords, PHAs/CoCs, employers, workforce and benefits agencies) to help people achieve stable housing and competitive employment, two pillars of recovery and health. Duties reflect CCBHC expectations for care coordination, timely access, and high-quality documentation.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Housing Services

·         Conduct housing needs and barriers assessments; create client-centered housing action plans that align with clinical goals and safety/WRAP plans.

·         Navigate housing resources: Coordinated Entry/CoCs, PSH, rapid rehousing, vouchers, landlord outreach, tenant–landlord mediation, application assistance, and reasonable accommodation requests.

·         Build and maintain a landlord/owner network; market client supports, negotiate unit access, and coach on fair-housing and trauma-informed practices.

·         Provide tenancy sustaining supports (unit search, lease education, move-in readiness, ADA/skill building) and connect to benefits (SOAR/SSI/SSDI) with internal partners.

·         Track housing outcomes (applications submitted, units secured, days to move-in, tenancy at 6/12 months, number of people accessing next level of housing) with timely EHR documentation per CCBHC requirements.

Employment Services

·         Deliver individualized placement and support–style employment assistance integrated with treatment plans: preferences profiling, rapid job search, resume/interview prep, and coordinated benefits counseling (with designated advisors).

·         Job development & employer engagement: prospecting, informational interviews, hosting employer visits, assisting with applications, and attending interviews when appropriate.

·         Provide job coaching and follow-along supports (on/off-site) to promote retention and advancement; coordinate with treatment team to address clinical or SUD recovery needs impacting work.

·         Facilitate work-readiness groups (soft skills, workplace expectations, disclosure choice, reasonable accommodations) and integrate employment content in peer/rehab programming.

• Track employment outcomes (clients served, clients employed and times (15 days, 45 days, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year), DRS or VR, hours worked, wages, list of employers/relations) with timely EHR documentation per CCBHC requirements.

Staffing and Care Coordination

·         Participate in daily staffings/treatment team meetings, warm handoffs, crisis planning, and cross-referrals.

·         Ensuring that clients receiving services in the crisis units are linked to outpatient clinics in their area

·         Complete EHR documentation per GRAND’s standards

Qualifications

•  Education/Experience (either): Bachelor’s in social work, counseling, psychology, rehabilitation, public health, or related field; or 3+ years’ experience in housing navigation, supported employment/IPS, vocational rehab, or case management serving behavioral health populations.
•  BHCMII or able to achieve within three months of hire date.
•  Knowledge of Oklahoma housing systems (CoCs, PHAs, PSH/RRH) and employer engagement/job placement practices; ability to travel within service area.