Housing Matters

Housing Matters

Direct Services Coordinator

Description

Housing Matters partners with individuals and families to create pathways out of their homelessness into permanent housing. HSC is a leader in working to end homelessness. HSC is looking for individuals eager to make a difference and willing to enthusiastically commit to joining in our vision that homelessness in Santa Cruz County should be rare, brief and non-recurring.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Using a Housing First approach, Direct Services Coordinators (DSC) level I, II, and III are responsible for actively engaging participants and providing a safe, secure, clean and welcoming evening and daytime environment for all participants through face-to‐face contact during shift hours. The primary role of the DSC is to actively support program activities and participants’ housing goals. 

Additionally, DSCs remain vigilant and available to handle all emergencies that may arise. DSCs are responsible for monitoring the dining hall restrooms and hygiene bay, as well as sanitizing and wiping down the shower units between use. Special focus will be the safety and needs of participants related to housing. Services will be delivered with dignity, professionalism and respect for all involved persons

DSC I is the entry level class and is expected to develop knowledge of the policies and program procedures of Housing Matters. DSC I will learn appropriate community resources and when to use them, and be trained in kitchen operations, incident reporting, heat treatment procedures, Hygiene Bay cleaning/disinfecting, and de-escalation and trauma informed care communication techniques. Incumbents are expected to gain the knowledge and abilities to be promoted to DSC II. 

Typical Job Duties 

• Facilitate participant use of our day services 
• Sanitizing and wiping down shower units in between use 
• Maintain a safe, secure, and clean environment 
• Attend necessary staff trainings including De-escalation training, Serve-Safe training, and Trauma Informed Care training 
• Facilitate meal service to residents following the policies and requirements of the program 
• Understand and apply Housing First and harm reduction strategies 
• Maintain professional boundaries at all times 
• Respond appropriately to potential encounters using de‐escalation techniques 
• Call upon community resources for assistance when appropriate 
• Maintain curfew and visiting policy specific to each program 
• Communicate with safety staff throughout shift 
• When appropriate, complete Incident Reports in accordance with policy guidelines 
• Review and maintain accurate documentation for each program 
• Provide support to staff and community organization during program activities 
• Attend staff and agency trainings and meetings as required 
• Other duties as assigned 

Employment Standards: 

Working Knowledge of 

• Community resources and when to use them 
• Housing Matters policies and procedures 
• Kitchen and Hygiene Bay operations 
• Sanitization protocol 
• De-escalation and Trauma Informed Care 
• Heat treatment procedures
• Radio communication 
• Incident reporting 

Some knowledge of

• Barriers to housing for people experiencing homelessness

Special Requirements 

• Possess a high school diploma or GED 
• CPR Certified and First Aid preferred 
• Spanish‐speaking preferred

Hours 

Positions include regularly scheduled as well as on-call Direct Service Coordinators. Morning shifts are 6:00am-2:00pm & 6:30am-2:30pm, evening shifts are 2:30pm-10:30pm. Weekend and evening shifts may be required. 

Compensation 

Starting at $19.57 hourly.

This is a part time, non-exempt, non-benefitted.