Housing and Safety Specialist

Location

Chicopee, MA | United States

Job description

The Mental Health Association is hiring immediately for a Housing and Safety Specialist. The Housing and Safety Specialist Complete will be required to document and inspect housing to ensure conditions of apartments are in compliance with all codes, standards and policies set by Mental Health Association, HUD, DMH, DDS, etc. Perform responsibilities professionally, in accordance with MHA’s Core Values (Respect, Integrity, and Compassion).

Housing and Safety Specialist Essential Job Functions

• Build and develop an on-going network of landlords, property managers and community housing providers.
• Maintain and strengthen these contacts and relationships while looking for additional opportunities to provide participants with a greater range of housing options.
• Assist participants to find suitable and affordable housing within a neighborhood of their choosing.
• Provide tenancy support by assisting participants to negotiate with landlords for repairs and maintenance as necessary using health and housing code regulations as standards.
• Coordinate tracking and re-inspections of all MHA subsidized apartments.
• Inspect all subsidized apartments according to HCV Housing Quality Standards.
• Responsible for all follow-up inspection to ensure compliance with DMH, DDS, EEC and DCF licensing standards.
• Maintain communication and follow through with landlords, including but not limited to maintenance issues.
• Maintain all paper files as directed by the Director of Quality and Performance Improvement.
• Insure that landlords and programs receive and comply with corrective action notices.
• Data entry in multiple Microsoft Databases as well as Microsoft Excel or other applications
• Track various components of quality assurance including but not limited to;
  • Monthly Residential House Inspections
  • Quarterly Fire Drills
  • Vehicle Inspections
• Schedule and ensure timely inspection and documentation of all fire extinguishers and other systems i.e. heating, hot water, etc. as required. Assist with other mandated inspections and/or re-certifications, including obtaining necessary documents.
• Regularly utilize on-line agency reporting systems; internet based applications (including payroll and vehicle management programs) and office based applications; and any future programs that are deemed necessary to complete the job. Read email daily. Attend training to strengthen or gain new computer skills as necessary.
• Promote a safe workplace environment by identifying and addressing any safety hazards/issues, reporting all employee accidents to Human Resources. Follow all established MHA safety policies.
• Ensure compliance with MHA Hazardous Communication Plan
• Report any incidents of participant abuse (physical, emotional, sexual) or act of omission/neglect to agency management, the Disabled Person’s Protection Commission (DPPC), or elder abuse hotline, as applicable.
• Perform duties of the Fire Safety Officer
• Contribute to agency and staff training of Vehicle Safety, Fire Safety, Hazardous Communication Plan and CPR/FA
• Perform other duties as assigned or as necessary.

Housing and Safety Specialist Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Valid driver’s license, sufficient automobile insurance, acceptable driving record, and a safe reliable vehicle during working hours.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage time, prioritize tasks, take initiative, follow through, and work cooperatively as a member of a team.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with landlords and possess knowledge and familiarity with housing regulations and standards.
• Excellent oral, written and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of Microsoft applications, with proficient computer skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, patience, caring, and compassion.
• Must be at least twenty-one years old.

Housing and Safety Specialist Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (human services, psychology, etc) is preferred.
• Three months experience working with individuals to find and maintain housing is preferred.
• Certification in HCV Housing Quality Standards, or ability to attain within two months
• CPR/FA Instructor Certification, or ability to obtain within six months

Housing and Safety Specialist Physical Demands and Work Environment

While performing the responsibilities of this job, the employee is required to speak, smell, and hear. They are occasionally required to kneel, sit, push, pull, reach, and climb. They are also required to use their hands and fingers to grasp, hold, type, and write. The employee is occasionally required to climb stairs and lift up to forty pounds. Vision abilities required by this job include color distinction, visual, visual perception, and eye/hand coordination.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to inclement weather, vehicles, blood-borne pathogens, and computers/monitors. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate. The majority of time for this job is spent indoors. 

Housing and Safety Specialist Conclusion

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the job and the general nature and level of work performed by job holders within this job. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.

EEOC Statement: MHA Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, MHA Inc. complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

What We Do MHA (Mental Health Association) helps people live their best life. We provide access to therapies for emotional health and wellness; services for substance use recovery, developmental disabilities and acquired brain injury; services for housing and residential programming, and more. With respect, integrity and compassion, MHA provides each individual served through person-driven programming to foster independence, community engagement, wellness and recovery. Why It Matters The youth, adults, seniors and families we serve want the same things in life as anyone: to have friends, work, go to school, have meaningful relationships, express themselves (and be heard), and be accepted in their community for who they are. With our help and resources from a caring community, people can live their potential, in their community, every day. How We Think Starting in the 1960s, MHA’s groundbreaking efforts and advocacy helped to transition people away from institutional living to a life in our community. This became a model for the deinstitutionalization movement. Today, our leadership continues to advance awareness of mental health conditions and needs at local, regional and national levels. We drive compassionate care for those challenged by mental health, developmental disabilities, substance use, homelessness, acquired brain injury and more.

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