Career Opportunities

Current postings:

Job Posting: Diversion Specialist – Singles

Overview: Area Congregations Together in Service (ACTS) is hiring for a Diversion Specialist position as a part of the Homeless Crisis Line (HCL). As the largest Access Point for the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC), the HCL provides phone-based diversion, mediation, and safety
planning for households/individuals experiencing or at-imminent risk of homelessness. At the current time, the HCL operates Monday – Friday 8am – 6pm. This position will focus on singles. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to take part in this multi-agency collaborative that is at the
forefront of best practice for access to homeless services. The HCL and this position is based in a shared space at the Homeward offices.

Scope: The role of the Diversion Specialist is to facilitate calls on the HCL to assist those who are within three days of losing housing or experiencing homelessness with access to safe alternatives to shelter or access to shelter through the shelter referral system. It includes answering incoming calls in a clientcentered, trauma-informed, solution-focused manner and providing access to housing-focused strategies that reduce the likelihood the caller will become homeless. This position works in partnership with the GRCoC, local service providers, government partners and funders to provide a
comprehensive regional approach that aligns seamlessly with the  coordinated Entry System.

Hours: 40 per week

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: (May include, but are not limited to the functions listed below.)
– Conduct initial screening of callers to assess appropriate services suggestions and facilitate setting appointments for referrals and/or services.
– Respond to client calls by assessing the level of danger for domestic and sexual violence, mental health, substance abuse, and homeless issues and offers referral resources.
– Facilitate and provide housing-focused diversion and mediation services for households experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness.
– Ensure the collection of required service utilization, demographic, and outcome data and enters the needed data in the Homeward Community Information Systems (HCIS).
– Build strong, strategic relationships with community partners.
– Participate in case conferencing, as directed by the HCL coordinator.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required. Flexibility in work hours and computer knowledge is imperative.

Education and/or Experience:
– Minimum Associate’s degree in a relevant social services field; or equivalent combination of education and experiences.
– Experience in homeless services and/or domestic and sexual violence field preferred.
– Knowledge of community resources and referral networks, and the capacity to identify and develop relationships with new resources and services as they become available.
– Knowledge of computer and office equipment, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Skills and Requirements:
– Outstanding communication skills, using appropriate language (verbal and written).
– Ability to articulate and demonstrate a clear understanding of homeless dynamics and interventions.
– Ability to manage a crisis phone line while maintaining empathetic listening and compassionate response skills.
– Ability to maintain personal and professional boundaries as well as represent the interests of the HCL and ACTS.
– Exemplification of excellence and performance that reflects the philosophy of the vision of the HCL and ACTS.
– Detail-oriented and strong organizational skills, with the capacity to develop and manage systems that ensure accurate and timely follow-up as well as documentation.
– Considerable knowledge of community resources and referral networks, and the capacity of identifying and developing relationships with new resources and services as they become available.
– Successful completion of criminal background and credit checks.

Compensation: $32,000 – $34,000

To Apply: Email a cover letter, resume, and complete contact information for two references to info@actsrva.org by close of business September 16, 2019. No phone calls accepted. Applications that do not meet all necessary instructions will not be considered.