Clinical Support Specialist Supervisor - 15th Avenue West

Days Off: Saturday, Sunday

Shift: Office Day

Insurance Benefits: Dental, Life, Long-term Disability, Medical

Other Benefits: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), ORCA card subsidy, Paid Time Off (34 days per year), Retirement Plan

About DESC:

DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center) is a nonprofit organization working to help people with the complex needs of homelessness, substance use disorders, and serious mental illness achieve their highest potential for health and well-being through comprehensive services, treatment, and housing. Our vision is a community where no person is abandoned, ignored, or experiencing homelessness.

As the region's leading provider of services to multiply disabled adults who have experienced chronic homelessness, DESC serves almost 3,000 people each day. Our integrated service model is designed to help people secure and maintain appropriate, safe and affordable housing. DESC is recognized nationally and regionally as an innovator in developing solutions to homelessness.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

15th Avenue West will be a new DESC housing site that will include 109 units of affordable housing in Seattle's Interbay neighborhood, including 5 dedicated respite rooms. This vital project will provide stable, supportive housing and 24/7 on-site services for single adults living with disabilities and experiencing chronic homelessness. The community will also feature welcoming indoor and outdoor common spaces.

JOB DEFINITION:

The supervisor performs all duties of the Clinical Support Specialist, working with the Project Manager, Project Assistant, Residential Counselor Supervisor, Residential Counselors, community case managers and other outside provider agencies to provide and coordinate clinical services for program residents. In addition, the CSS Supervisor provides direct supervision of the Clinical Support Specialists and Housing Stabilization Specialist (if applicable) and clinical oversight of the services clients receive. The supervisor works with the Project Manager and other administrative/management staff on overall program and agency operational needs. 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide direct supervision to Clinical Support Specialists and Housing Stabilization Specialist (if applicable) in their casework and other duties. 
• Oversee documentation standards related to quality and frequency 
• In conjunction with Project Manager, hire and orient Clinical Support Specialists and Housing Stabilization Specialists 
• Provide on-site service coordination for program residents by carrying a small caseload. 
• Support Residential Counselors in their roles as providers of milieu therapy, crisis management, and handling of daily building operations. 
• Facilitate engagement of residents through creative, resourceful strategies that build trust and confidence. 
• Meet with each resident and any attached community case manager to develop an Integrated Service Plan outlining goals and strategies to ensure housing success. 
• Facilitate connections with outside case management, as appropriate for residents. 
• Maintain contact with community case managers to resolve crises and monitor progress as defined in the Integrated Service Plan; regularly update each resident's progress in their service file. 
• Assist in the management of building operations as needed. 
• Intervene in crises and assist with building rule enforcement as necessary. 
• Assist with other property management functions as assigned. 
• Chart significant events involving residents in a daily log; read log daily. 
• Interact with residents in the general milieu of program common areas; publicize service availability. 
• Assist residents in the formation of interest groups or therapeutic support groups; facilitate when appropriate. 
• Plan outings and on-site activities to improve resident skills in activities of daily living and to increase the level of meaningful activity in their lives. 
• Work with residents and other staff to identify needs for additional on-site services, groups and activities. 
• Assist with coordination of meal program. 
• Facilitate community meetings. 
• Participate in staff meetings and trainings. 
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree relevant to social services or management. Demonstrated ability to supervise or lead teams in a fast paced, complex, social service or other programming may substitute for degree requirement. See below for details.
• Two years of relevant work experience in human services, preferably working with adults challenged by homelessness, economic disadvantages, mental illness and/or substance use disorders. Personal lived experience may substitute for some of the work experience requirements.
• One year supervisory or leadership experience.
• Current Washington Department of Health minimum credential as an Agency Affiliated Counselor or ability to obtain the credential upon hire.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in social work, counseling, administration, public health, or other relevant degree
• Case management or housing navigation (SCM only) experience 
• 2+ years supervisory experience in settings serving people with histories of homelessness and/or behavioral health conditions.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Bachelor’s degree in relevant degree, or
2. Bachelor’s degree in any field and 1 additional year of paid case management experience in social services, or
3. Relevant Associate’s degree and 2 additional years of relevant paid case management work experience, or
4. Any Associate’s degree and 2 additional year of highly relevant case management work experience, and formal training in supervisory skills to demonstrate an ability to successfully perform the job, or
5. A combination of 2 years of highly relevant paid case management work experience, 2 additional years of relevant work experience, and formal training in supervisory skills to demonstrate an ability to successfully perform the job. DESC CSS and CM roles are considered highly relevant.

*examples of relevant degrees and/or coursework include but are not limited to: Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Counseling, Behavioral Science, Social and Human Services, Mental Health/Counseling, Chemical Dependency and Rehabilitation, Youth and Family Support Services, Early Childhood Education/Child Welfare, Prevention and Early Intervention, Community Development and Housing, Policy and Advocacy

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required sit for long periods of time, communicate with other persons by talking and hearing, required to lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds and to operate computer hardware systems. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

DESC is committed to diversity in the workplace, and promotes equal  employment  opportunities for all staff members and applicants. The  Agency will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, caste, marital status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability in any employment practice, unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification. Minorities and veterans are encouraged to apply.