BLOCK Community Support Coordinator

 ABOUT FACING HOMELESSNESS 

Facing Homelessness invites all of us to come closer, and to contribute our unique passions and skills toward the effort of ending homelessness. Each of our four key programs is an entry point for community members to get involved and make a difference in the lives of our unhoused neighbors. We are a “Lead with Love” organization, and are committed to honoring the value and dignity of all people with whom we work, serve, and partner. 

POSITION SUMMARY 

The BLOCK Community Support Coordinator (CSC) works closely with the BLOCK Community Programs Manager in the support of our BLOCK Residents and Host families. With 10 BLOCK Homes built and currently occupied, and five more slated for a total of 15 by the end of 2021, the BLOCK Project is an inspiring and growing program that centers the voices of Hosts and Residents in program development and delivery. The Support Coordinator will interact directly with, and serve as one of the primary support staff for Hosts and Residents at the BLOCK Project, under the guidance and supervision of the Community Programs Manager. The Support Coordinator will also have the opportunity to develop curriculum and trainings for new and experienced Hosts, and will support the expansion of Host, Resident, and Volunteer programs in order to further community inclusion and belonging for all. This is a full-time, exempt position.

Full-time | Salary: $48,000 | Health/Dental/Vision + Retirement match |Paid Time Off

Standard working hours are typically Monday-Friday 8am-5pm. This position requires flexible hours including some weekends and evenings (< 10% of the time under normal circumstances). This position allows for work-from-home, however some office hours and in person meetings will be required at Facing Homelessness in Seattle’s University District as directed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

BLOCK Resident Onboarding. Support and Coordination (60%)

A BLOCK Resident is someone who has formally experienced homelessness and is now living in a BLOCK Home. 

  • Serve as the primary contact/liaison for Residents and their case managers

  • Directly manage communications with Residents and facilitate problem solving processes

  • Support identifying, interviewing, and onboarding new BLOCK Residents in partnership with the BLOCK Community Programs Manager

  • Co-facilitate Meet Your Neighbor gatherings between Hosts and Potential Residents

  • Research and connect Residents with community supports and resources as needed

  • Co-facilitate weekly Resident Drop In Meetings

  • Lead planning and implementation of Resident events and gatherings as COVID health and safety precautions allow

  • Collaborate closely with BLOCK Community Programs Manager to regularly improve relationships between and for Residents and Hosts. For example, supporting development of and delivery of Host trainings, co-facilitating informational neighborhood meetings

  • Refer management and maintenance of the BLOCK Homes to BLOCK Construction Project Manager when necessary

  • Advocate for Residents within the organization to ensure their needs are centered ethically and respectfully


BLOCK Host Support and Coordination (20%)

BLOCK Hosts are homeowners who have volunteered and leased part of their backyards for BLOCK Homes to be built.

  • Attend and co-facilitate Host Cafes and one-on-one Host meetings as deemed appropriate

  • Capture and present identified Host needs, and support development of training to fill the gap

  • Supports strategizing, developing, and circulating BLOCK Host recruitment documents and collateral—print and digital.

  • Co-facilitate and present trainings as needed for Hosts

  • Co-lead and plan gatherings and events for Hosts as COVID health and safety restrictions allow

Collaborate on the Community Wellness Team (20%) 

The Community Wellness Team identifies opportunities to increase partnership or programmatic support for BLOCK Residents, centering Resident voices, a harm reduction framework, and trauma-informed practices.

  • Participate in weekly Wellness meetings and collaborate on opportunities for new programs, volunteer opportunities or partnerships that will further community inclusion and belonging for Residents and support for Hosts

  • Support Research and Development of external partnerships and programs that will increase community inclusion and belonging for BLOCK Residents

  • Bring Resident perspectives and needs to meetings and collaborate on trauma-informed solutions

  • Work on assigned projects and tasks to support program development as needed 

QUALIFICATIONS 

  • At least 2 years of experience working in direct service working with folks who are unhoused and/or experiencing complex trauma

  • Experience facilitating groups or in community organizing

  • Skill and comfort in leading and facilitating difficult conversations regarding privilege, oppression, identity and systemic issues

  • Strong organizational and communication skills

  • Ability to work independently and on small teams

  • An understanding of and sensitivity to harm reduction and trauma-informed care frameworks

  • Passion for the Facing Homelessness mission to engage people across the housed and unhoused communities toward the goal of ending homelessness

  • Experience managing and/or training volunteers

  • Provide flexibility, adaptability, and problem solving with a positive and willing attitude 

  • Situational awareness - including emotional, verbal and written, along with logistics 

  • Computer literacy with Google Apps (Sheets/Docs/Slides) & Microsoft Office

REQUIREMENTS 

  • Ability to climb stairs, navigate different terrain in residential backyards

  • Ability to lift of move 25+ lbs

  • First Aid training

  • Four year degree social work, sociology, psychology or public health. Alternatively, four years of experience equivalent work experience working with marginalized and underserved communities, or lived experience

SALARY + BENEFITS 

The salary for this position is $48K. Benefits include 75% health insurance coverage including dental and vision, three weeks paid vacation and up to 3% retirement plan match.

 

 
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HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your resume and cover letter to jobs@facinghomelessness.org. The position will be open until filled, and priority will be given to applications submitted by May 14th at 5 PM. Please list the job title in the subject of your email.

Facing Homelessness is on a journey to deepen its understanding of race and equity within our mission, programs, and organization. We recognize that inequitable systems in our country disproportionately impact and make already marginalized individuals in our communities the most vulnerable to homelessness. As such, and in an effort to center these voices, we strongly encourage people of color, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, folks of differing abilities, those with lived experience of homelessness, and members of other marginalized communities to apply.