Job Summary/ Function

 The Diversion and Housing Specialist is a key team member whose primary responsibilities include providing Diversion and Rapid Resolution services to veterans and families facing a housing crisis and/or potential housing crisis in order to stabilize their housing situation. In addition, the Diversion and Housing Specialist works in conjunction with the Housing specialist to maintain a housing stock of rentals and assist Veterans and families with the rental process.

Diversion Responsibilities

• Primarily responsible for all homeless diversion and rapid resolution interventions in the service area. Must exhibit advanced skills in outreach, engagement, and rapport building; conflict mediation, problem solving, documentation, data management, and the ability to coordinate and collaborate at a community level.

• Make initial person-to-person contact with clients referred for services within 72 hours.

• Conducts an initial screening of each eligible client’s needs to determine diversion intervention.

• Determine and document each applicant’s eligibility for the Homeless and Prevention Services Department within 2 working days of the initial person-to-person contact with the potential client.

• Work with regional, state, and local VA programs, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, VET centers, and Veterans Benefit Units, to coordinate client appointments for VA benefits identified during the initial screening.

• Work with state and local not-for-profit agencies and other community-based

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Collaborative Skills & Competencies: Ability to form collaborative alliances and contributions in a team oriented work environment.

• Communication Skills & Competencies: Professional written and verbal communication skills in Standard English. Communication and concise articulation of information to others.

• Cultural Competency Skills & Competencies: Adaptable in culturally diverse environments, respect for cultural differences, and comfort level working with “military” and “veteran” cultures.

• Customer Service Skills & Competencies: Ability to build trust using listening skills, conflict resolution, and mediation, and going above and beyond to be helpful and pleasant.

• Coach-ability: Receptive to feedback, willing to learn and embrace continuous improvement.

• Time