Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Coordinator

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Position Summary
Responsible for coordinating and delivering a broad range of counseling and referral services for low-income Public Housing participants in the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program. The purpose of the FSS Program is to promote the development of local strategies to coordinate the use of assistance with public and private resources to enable participating families to increase earned income, reduce or eliminate the need for welfare assistance, and make progress toward economic independence and self-sufficiency. The employee is responsible for developing grant funds, locating potential funding sources, and performing a variety of professional and technical tasks in the assessment of participant needs, the coordination of support service providers, and for monitoring the provisions of program services. These tasks are to be performed at a level that supports the Agency's efforts to achieve the highest rating on HUD's evaluation systems.

Responsibilities
The duties listed below illustrate the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements regarding duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment in association with this position. Undertakes and performs the following and all other work-related duties as assigned.

1. Responds courteously to calls, written requests, questions and participants, service providers, and other authorized agencies and representatives to answer questions, and provide information and assistance as appropriate.
2. Works with Agency staff and public and private community agencies to recruit participants for the FSS program. Conducts pre-home visits with potential tenants and ensuring accurate completion of appropriate form(s).
3. Conducts in-depth interviews/discussions with FSS participants to determine eligibility of applicants and/or assess and identify service needs of program participants and any impediments to progress regarding job training, education, or skills enhancement.
4. Attends community council meetings and maintains contact with community agencies for the provision of services and assists program participants in accessing appropriate public or private community agencies to obtain specialized types of assistance.
5. Provides, or provides for, participant counseling in life skills areas including parenting, employment, education, financial management, public assistance, nutrition, etc. Educates participants regarding how to access resources.
6. Establishes and maintains effective relationships with participating families to assist them in achieving program and family goals; counsels and advises FSS participants concerning the individual's action plan and resources etc.
7. Assists FSS participants in preparing applications and forms for school grants, scholarships, etc. Works with
   educational/training entities to coordinate and refine FSS admission requirements and procedures for monitoring FSS participants.
8. Locates testing facilities to help FSS participants in choosing a career field and in job placement.
9. Performs assessments of FSS to monitor participants' progress towards meeting goals.
10. Collects information and prepares reports regarding program participant demographic data that can be used in applying for grants or developing procedures and policies that better meet the needs of those served. Identifies, defines, and acquires/develops funding sources in both the private and public sectors to support existing and planned program activities. Prepares proposals and applications for funding/grants for tenant services programs and submits in a timely manner.
11. Prepares, submits, and files regularly scheduled reports as required on program activities, accomplishments, and operational indicators in a timely and accurate manner.
12. Maintains detailed case management files on participants files and processes files in accordance with Agency procedures and HUD regulations, including completing and securing all files on a daily basis.
13. Visits tenants to encourage housekeeping in accordance with established standards.
14. Works closely with property managers in responding to reports of tenants with a potential need for service coordination.
15. Monitors Neighborhood Network programs and conducts appropriate activities (e.g., open lab, after-school programs, 4H, health fairs, job fairs, etc.)
16. Prepares agenda, informational brochures/flyers, and conducting meetings to inform interested and/or selected participants about FSS program goals and objectives.
17. Reviews police reports and all pertinent actions regarding program participants. Enters pertinent, organized information into Agency system and sends banned list to police and the office of the state attorney.
18. Ensures privacy and maintains security of confidential materials pertaining to activities and participants.
19. Accountable for consistent adherence to strong Agency standards regarding the ethical, responsible, and appropriate use, care, and safeguarding of Agency materials, supplies, resources, and other assets.

Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, sociology, social services, human services, education plus five (5) years' experience in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Social Services, Human Services, or closely related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to fulfill essential position functions. Experience in HUD grant writing and case management preferred. Fair Housing Certification must be obtained within one (1) year of hire or other allowable period of hire as authorized by the Executive Director.

Knowledge and Skills

1. Thorough knowledge of pertinent HUD regulations on the FSS program and public housing management, and thorough knowledge of Agency policies and procedures.
2. Thorough knowledge of accepted consultation and interviewing techniques.
3. Thorough knowledge of community agencies, facilities, and services which can be utilized to aid program participants.
4. Ability to meet and deal tactfully and courteously with the public.
5. Ability to understand and follow moderately complex written and oral instructions, communicate and relate to persons of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
6. Ability to make routine decisions in accordance with established administrative rules, regulations, and policies, to explain the re-examination process to tenants in an objective and impartial manner.
7. Skilled in operating computer equipment, applicable software packages, and general office machines.
8. Knowledge of mathematics sufficient to perform calculation required for rent adjustments.
9. Ability to prepare clear, concise reports and make appropriate recommendations within scope of responsibility.
10. Ability to use basic office equipment such as telephone, fax, copier, and computer.
11. Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, verbally and in writing.
12. Ability to establish and maintain effective and courteous working relationships with other employees, tenants, community agencies and other entities that provide services and secure the cooperation of others.
13. Ability to deal effectively with situations requiring tact and diplomacy.
14. Skilled in communicating on the level of the listener, recognizing when information has been misunderstood, and determining how to remedy the misunderstanding as needed to explain policies and procedures and to provide and exchange information to persons with varying levels of education, cultural backgrounds, and ages.

Supervision Controls
The employee receives instructions from the TBD. Courses of action, deadlines, and priorities are established by procedure, the supervisor, or the employee, depending on the assignment. Routine duties are initiated and completed by the employee without supervisory direction. Instructions to the employee may be general or specific in nature. Problems or situations not covered by instructions are usually referred to the supervisor for resolution. The employee's finished work is closely reviewed on a regular basis for progress, accuracy, completion, and compliance with policies and procedures and the attainment of objectives. The employee has no supervisory responsibilities.

Guidelines
The employee follows regulations and guidelines issued by HUD on pertinent programs and applicable Agency policies and procedures. Frequently the employee acts independently in making decisions about the best course of action. For situations for which there are no guidelines, the employee may adapt existing guidelines, develop new guidelines, make a decision based on the circumstances, or seek guidance from the supervisor. When new guidelines are required, the employee develops them in consultation with the supervisor.

Complexity
Work performed by the employee is relatively routine. The employee identifies work that needs to be done, prioritizes, coordinates efforts, and performs the tasks. Occasionally, the employee must make decisions regarding unusual or sensitive situations and must develop new solutions. Grant writing to comply with all requirements and deadlines may, on occasion, prove to be tedious and difficult, requiring attention to detail and patience.

Scope and Effect
The employee's work affects participants enrolled in the FSS programs. The employee's work regarding the programs is to help participants move toward self-sufficiency. In doing so, the employee adheres to the spirit and contributes to the overall success of the program by reducing participant's needs for subsidized programs and services, which results in a greater sense of self-reliance and improved self-esteem for the participant.

Personal Contacts
The employee's contacts are primarily with participants, coworkers, police, and agencies that provide assistance to participants. Such contacts require the ability to establish and maintain good working relationships on a long-term basis. The purpose of these contacts is to obtain or provide information; plan, coordinate, and provide advice regarding other activities; and justify, defend, negotiate, or resolve matters and issues concerning program issues. The purpose of the contacts is to bring community services to participants, foster pride and participation, and provide various kinds of support and assistance for individuals and families. At times, persons contacted may be skeptical, uncooperative, unreceptive, hostile, or willing to express different viewpoints.

Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Work is principally sedentary, but may involve some physical exertion, such as kneeling, crouching, or lifting to obtain files, records, and office supplies, and eyestrain from working with computers and other office equipment.
2. Must be able to sit or stand for up to eight (8) hours at a time while performing work duties.
3. Must be able to bend, stoop, push, and pull in the performance of office related duties.
4. Must be able to use fingers bilaterally and unilaterally to operate office equipment.
5. Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, tenants, and community agencies and other entities that provide services.
6. Must have vision and hearing corrected to be able to operate office equipment and fulfill essential job functions.
7. Must be able to perform essential job functions in an environment that will sometimes include increased levels of work-related stress.
8. Must maintain a professional appearance and portray a positive image for the Agency.
9. Must be able to maintain punctuality and attendance as scheduled.
10. An employee may request reasonable accommodation to mitigate any of the physical requirements listed above.

Medicinal and Recreational Marijuana
Marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance and is illegal under federal law. The Agency observes the common rule of the Federal Marijuana Law of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) (21 U.S.C. § 811), which does not recognize the difference between medical and recreational use of marijuana and has established the required Drug Free Workplace Policy. Employees are NOT permitted to use or possess any form of marijuana for medical or recreational purposes. Any applicant for employment who tests positive for marijuana during a pre-employment drug screening shall be ineligible for employment with the Agency. Any applicant for employment who advises the Agency that he/she uses any form of marijuana will be ineligible for employment. The Agency is unable to grant a request for reasonable accommodation to use marijuana under any circumstance.

Work Environment
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work involves the normal risks or discomfort associated with an office environment and is usually in an area that is adequately cooled, heated, lighted, and ventilated.

Other Requirements

1. Must possess a valid driver's license and maintain a good driving record.
2. May be required to work an unusual work schedule.
3. Must work with the highest degree of confidentiality.
4. Must be available for occasional overnight travel for training.
5. Must pass employment drug screening & criminal background check.