Position: Life Skills Specialist

Program/Department: Cortelyou Supportive Housing

Work Location: Cortelyou Road, Flatbush, Brooklyn, NY

Hours: Full Time - 35 hour per week - evenings and weekends as required

Rate: $45,000- $52,000 annualized

Reports to: Assistant Program Director

1921 Cortelyou is a 46 unit supportive housing program located in Flatbush Brooklyn. The Program specially services young adults 18-25 years old with Serious and Persistent Mental Illness and have a chronic history of being unhoused. Most of the young adults living at 1921 Cortelyou are members of the LGBTQ+ community. The Program offers a safe environment and supportive services to help our young adults to move towards long term stability. This Program is under the NY/NY 15 population C agreement and funding is being provided through the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for cultivating a safe and affirming living environment for formerly homeless, young adults, many living with a significant mental illness, and identifying as part of the LQBTQIA+ community.

• Provide consistent, high quality program service delivery to all clients populations in accordance with funder and regulatory requirements; best practices; BCS policies and Core Values; and Code of Conduct for Custodians of People with Special Needs. Serve as a role model to all stakeholders.

• Work directly with residents to enhance their daily living skills (i.e. includes but not limited to budgeting, grocery shopping, cooking meals independently, apartment organization/maintenance, entitlement support, personal hygiene, safely accessing public transportation, scheduling and attending appointments on time, etc.)

• Facilitate groups weekly to assist residents with acclimating to an independent living environment (i.e. medication management, substance abuse education, anger management, budgeting, employment preparation, cooking skills group, discount shopping/couponing, game night, etc.)

• Work in collaboration with case managers to aid consumers with achieving all goals identified in their Individualized Service Plan

• Facilitate individual session as applicable (i.e., ADL skills development, stress management, etc.) and document all sessions in progress notes within 24 hours

• Provide case management coverage in the event of program vaccines to preserve the quality of care of all residents

• Escort clients to appointments as needed (i.e. medical, psychiatric, Social Security Administration, Public Assistance, and Emergency Room, etc.)

• Refer and connect program residents to community resources to enhance their overall health and social support networks (i.e. youth social clubs, physical fitness centers, farmers market, etc.)

• Encouraged tenants to participate in recreational events in the community to increase consumer socialization skills

• Work with the social service team to ensure residents provide all necessary documentation to recertify apartment units and collaborate with property management to navigate all tenant apartment needs and repairs

• Participate in the facilitation other safety skills training

• Aid with coordinating resident move-ins and move-outs

• Attend all meetings, trainings, seminars, workshops, and case conferences as assigned and required

• Provide support to community residents and church social programs

• Other tasks as assigned

Qualifications Required:

• BSW or BA in human services related field required, MSW preferred , experience with homeless, at-risk, or system involved LGBTQIA+ youth, experience serving youth living in supportive housing.

• Proven experience in clinical program implementation with either young adults, formerly homeless, or LGBTQIA+ community preferred.

• Must have strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong organizational, time-management, and technical skills to help young people make progress toward their goals

• Must have a propensity and willingness to learn, persevere, and think outside the box.

• The relational qualities of a successful specialist include:

• Ability to work from a strength-based, trauma-informed, youth development lens;

• Ability to relate to young people, engage them in conversation, and provide support and encouragement;

• Ability to form collaborative, working relationships with parents/families, school and agency staff;

• Consistent and reliable;

• Values and promotes diversity;

• Carries a belief that change is possible;

• Able to maintain healthy boundaries;

• Able to remain calm during moments of tension and stress.

TECHNICAL & PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

• Ability to troubleshoot, advocate, and navigate obstacles where there is not always a clear-cut pathway;

• Open to learning how to use and interpret data to inform decision-making.

• Ability to collaborate in team settings and build relationships with external partners;

• Ability to use trauma-informed techniques;

• Knowledgeable about community resources and services

• Fingerprinting and OMH background check required. Position requires direct face-to face-contact with consumers and the general public on an ongoing basis.

Members of the LGBTQIA+ community are strongly encouraged to apply

BCS and Turning Point require that all employees entering the workplace be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless an exemption is granted as a medical or religious accommodation.

BCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities