Shelter Plus Care Program Specialist

Why work with YWCA Seattle King Snohomish?

YWCA SKS is the region’s largest non-profit organization with a 120+ year legacy, focused on the needs of women, with programs serving 7,000 people each year. When you work with YWCA, you make a difference.

We’re women and BIPOC-led, family-centered, and supportive of employees. As a full-time YWCA employee (30+ hours), you’ll enjoy a benefits package including medical insurance, generous vacation, holiday, sick leave plans, and an outstanding retirement plan. Put your passion for racial equity and social justice to work – apply today!

What You'll Do

The Shelter Plus Care Program Specialist under the supervision of a Shelter Plus Care Program Director will perform a variety of tasks including various technical, administrative, scheduling, and processing functions as they relate to the Shelter Plus Care Rental Assistance Program (including SPC, LTLCHD, LTLD and Pathways Home PSH, HOME-TBRA projects) and other related programs administered by the YWCA. The Specialist will coordinate with partner agencies’, case managers and other community partners to assist program participants in maintaining their housing assistance.

This position has a social justice component that will require critical thinking around how external systems impact the work that we are doing through the lens of racism and intersections with poverty. Knowing the core principals of antiracism and grounding those principles in everyday work, as well as working well in non-white environments and championing anti-racism policy, are required job skills and core values. As an equal opportunity employer, we highly encourage people of color to apply.

Expectations of your role:

• Maintain participant files for a caseload of 150+ program participants.
• Ensure the timely and accurate completion of each participant’s annual household review and all other reviews requested that apply to your assigned caseload.
• Work in coordination with departments Program Coordinator, Lead Program Specialist, SPC Clinical/Case Manager, Inspectors and Housing Services Specialists.
• Maintain participant records in program databases (i.e. YARDI, HIMS, Spreadsheets, Smartsheets etc.)
• Compose written and email correspondence with participant, landlords and partnering agencies as needed.
• Responsible for accurate and timely data entry into several databases. Work with and make referrals to community and public agencies for participant assistance.
• Communicate with partnering landlords as it pertains to your assigned caseload.
• Schedule and facilitates program stability meetings to assist with the preservation of participants housing assistance.
• Terminate assistance and cancel participant files as needed.
• Maintain positive working relationships with internal YWCA department staff and SPC partnering agencies.
• Adhere to the YWCA Administrative Plan and how it applies to program eligibility and ongoing program compliance, etc.
• Works well under pressure and can adhere to monthly timelines for completion of monthly processing of caseload files.
• Show demonstrated ability to interact with people of different cultures
• Continue search for understanding of racial, gender and class equity
• Adhere to all Volunteer Services protocol relative to volunteer usage, recognition and monitoring. Work alongside volunteers, where applicable. Understand where internalized oppressions (superiority and inferiority) play a role in volunteer and client interaction and know ways to address these oppressions from a solutions-based perspective
• Assure that volunteers are treated with respect and dignity regardless of race, ethnic background, gender or socioeconomic background. Understand how racism has played a role in defining what respect and dignity is and use racial equity and multiracial perspectives when teaming with volunteers

Must have's to be successful:

• A minimum of 3+ years of experience as a Customer Service Specialist
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong customer service orientation and skills
• Strong organizational skills and keen attention to detail
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to meet multiple deadlines and flexible schedule
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and provide creative solutions
• Demonstrated understanding of the intersection of racism and poverty
• Core Competencies Expected: Social Justice Advocacy, Planning & Organizing (Time Management), Negotiation, Problem Solving, Fostering Diversity, Ethics & Integrity, Collaboration, Attention to Detail
• Proficient in computer skills and MS Office Programs including Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated understanding of the intersection of racism and poverty
• Core Competencies: Attention to Detail, Leadership, Critical Thinking, Communication: Oral & Written, Customer Service, Decision Making, Discernment/Judgement, Fostering Diversity, Problem Solving, Race & Social Justice Advocacy
• Working knowledge of HUD Section 8 or LIHTC certification processes for lease- up, Annual and Interim Certifications, Preferred.
• Knowledge of issues surrounding homelessness, poverty, domestic violence, racism, substance abuse, mental illness and affordable housing, Preferred.
• Word processing, spreadsheet, and database software, including Access, Word, Excel, and participant software programs.
• Experience working with communities of color
• Significant proficiency in Word and Excel

Hours, Rate, and Benefits

• Hourly Rate: $23.00 - $25.00
• Hours: 40 hours per week
• Excellent benefits package including medical insurance, retirement plan, plus generous vacation, holiday, and sick leave plans
• At the time of hire, employees may enroll voluntarily in the Fidelity 403b Plan
• After two years of employment, employees are eligible to participate in the YWCA Retirement Fund

Physical Requirements

• Continuously exchanges information through listening and talking with clients, agency staff, employers, representatives of community organizations and other individuals in the community.
• Frequently reaches and grasps in using telephones, computers, fax machines and other office equipment and supplies
• Frequently lifts and carries up to 5 lbs. of paperwork, files, and training materials
• Frequently performs close work while updating files, reading program information, and using computer
• Occasionally kneels, bends, pushes and pulls in obtaining files in drawers

* Continuously over 80% time, Frequently 20-80% time, and Occasionally under 20% time

#LI-Hybrid

YWCA encourages applicants with a variety of experiences to apply!

At YWCA, we recognize that lived expertise is a powerful asset. This refers to the insights, knowledge, and skills developed by those who have navigated systems and experienced inequity.

Valuing lived expertise helps build trust with program participants, develop culturally responsive programs, and break down barriers to equity. It enriches our collective understanding and enhances our ability to serve communities that are furthest from opportunity.

Vaccination Requirement

All new hires must be vaccinated in accordance with CDC guidelines before their first day of employment.

Mental Health Considerations

All employees of the YWCA interact with clients who have experienced or are experiencing trauma in various forms, including but not limited to, racial trauma, domestic violence, sexual violence, homelessness, unemployment, and financial hardship. As a result, employees are at risk of secondary trauma. We encourage employees to seek support inside and outside the workplace and maintain self-care routines.

Equal Opportunity Employment

YWCA Seattle King Snohomish is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To read more about this, view the EEO is the Law Poster and this EEO is the Law Poster Supplement.

For more information

Contact us at careers@ywcaworks.org with any questions or if you need accommodation for your application.