The HomeBASE Specialist is responsible for supporting efforts to improve shelter exits and placement into housing outcomes. The incumbent provides best practice strategies in housing search and technical assistance directly to a variety of stakeholders, including but not limited to shelter staff, HomeBASE administering agency staff, and families experiencing homelessness. The incumbent supports the Director of HomeBASE and Rapid Rehousing, the Affordable Housing and Subsidy Resource Manager and collaborates closely with the Regional Teams and Housing Search Specialists to expedite access to resources that quickly move families out of shelter and promotes a family shelter response built on the belief that homelessness should be rare, brief, and non-recurring.

This is a Floater position covering all regions (Boston, Northeast, Southeast, Central MA, and Western MA).

Frequent travel will be required. Those employees who elect to use a motor vehicle for travel must have a current and valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operator's license or the equivalent from another state.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (NOT ALL INCLUSIVE):

1) Re-housing:

• Works with vendors to provide effective strategies to rapidly re-house families experiencing homelessness with the use of HomeBASE.

• Interviews families experiencing homelessness as needed to ensure HomeBASE and rehousing services are being received as expected, and aids with resolving barriers to rehousing based on individualized circumstances.

• Works directly with families experiencing homelessness, contracted shelter providers, community resource agencies, local and state government staff, local and regional housing authorities, and various other stakeholders, to develop new re-housing programs and/or expand existing re-housing programs.

• Responds to HomeBASE waiver requests, in compliance with the program rules and regulations.

• Responds to stakeholder questions and concerns regarding HomeBASE, reviewing applications submitted within the End-to-End system (E2E), and intercedes when appropriate to resolve conflict.

• Works directly with families experiencing homelessness, contracted shelter providers, community resource agencies, local and state government staff, local and regional housing authorities, and various other stakeholders, to develop new re-housing programs and/or expand existing re-housing programs.

2) Monitoring, Technical Assistance and Training:

• Provides HomeBASE training and technical assistance to internal HLC staff, Emergency Assistance (EA) shelter provider staff, HomeBASE administering agency staff, and other stakeholders as needed to ensure compliance with program rules and regulations.

• Conducts review of client files, incident reports, utilization and other program requirements. Provides technical assistance and strategies for performance improvement, and when necessary, develops corrective action plans as necessary and produces an annual program evaluation for each HomeBASE Administering Agency.

• Supports the facilitation of HomeBASE Open Office Hours, monthly HomeBASE/E2E training, regional meetings, distribution of subsidy resources, coordination of voucher utilization, and developing relationships with Local Housing Authorities (LHA's), RAA's and other housing provider agencies.

3) Data:

• Utilizes various EOHLC databases and data tracking systems [All Services Integrated System Tracker/ Efforts to Outcomes (ETO), End-to-End, others as needed] to monitor and track program activities.

4) Special Initiatives

• Provides insight and assistance with the development of guidance materials and process design for the implementation of HomeBASE and re-housing special initiatives.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Excellent written communication skills.

2. Excellent oral communication skills.

3. Experience in program analysis, program management, program coordination, and program planning.

4. At least intermediate proficiency using Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and Microsoft Teams.

5. Ability to communicate in a manner that promotes harmonious interaction with others and motivates performance in a changing environment.

6. Knowledge of Department's Emergency Assistance program rules and regulations.

7. Knowledge of the Department's family sheltering programs.

8. Knowledge of housing and homelessness policy, with a particular focus on Housing First approaches.

9. Ability to coordinate the efforts of others in accomplishing assigned work objectives.

10. Ability to conduct annual site visits to review facilities for compliance with health & safety codes and licensing requirements.

11. Ability to interview clients and conduct investigations.

12. Ability to be flexible to respond to changing requirements and to be available to resolve programmatic and other issues as needed.

13. Strong organizational skills, time management skills, ability to manage multiple projects and meet various deadlines.

COMMENTS:

Please upload resume and cover letter.

This position would be expected to follow a hybrid model of reporting to work that combines in-office workdays and work from home days, as needed.

Salary placement is determined by years of experience and education directly related to the position and the Human Resources Division's Recruiting Guidelines. In the case of a promotional opportunity, the salary provisions of the applicable collective bargaining agreement will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines. Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

Qualifications

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full time, or equivalent part-time, professional, administrative or managerial experience in business administration, business management or public administration the major duties of which involved program management, program administration, program coordination, program planning and/or program analysis, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the-required experience.

II. A Graduate degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for the required experience.

III. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major other than in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience.

Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.