Job Description
The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) is seeking a detail-oriented, and well-organized individual who will serve as a Housing Specialist to assist individuals with respect to their housing needs. You will facilitate the housing application, placement, follow-up, and appeals process for consumers. There is a high volume and demand of consumers requiring assistance with complicated housing regulations, navigating the rules and expectations of completing and submitting required documents, and with lease compliance. You will be responsible to mediate conflicts to preserve housing and conducts in-depth advocacy for consumers in housing court on a regular basis and with housing appeals. The Housing Specialist promotes tenant preservation by counseling consumers and educating landlords and housing authority staff of housing regulations relative to disability issues. Applies strong working knowledge of how CORI and immigrant statuses relate to housing eligibility and tenant preservation and interprets data about housing procedures and current laws to individual housing cases.
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This position analyzes and applies local, state, and federal housing policies and practices to consumers. The incumbent will respond to crisis situations with consumers experiencing or at risk of homelessness and/or eviction, consumers involved in domestic violence, mental health, or re-entry cases, and who have a limited or no support system. You will serve as the agency's single point of contact with respect to current housing policies and procedures in the Boston regions. The Housing Specialist represents and advocates for consumers in the housing appeals process and with respect to civil rights complaints and appeals in the housing court.
Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all-inclusive):
- Respond to crises regarding homelessness and secure interim housing solutions for individuals affected by homelessness.
- Assist individuals affected by homelessness throughout the state with long-term housing solutions in accordance with housing policies and procedures and the consumer's needs.
- Performs crisis management relative to housing in domestic violence cases, mental health crisis cases, and re-entry cases.
- Work closely with shelters and hospitals in the process of sensitive cases.
- Counsel consumers with no family or other support systems through an initial adjustment to a new housing situation and advocate for a safe and supportive adjustment for these consumers.
- Represents consumers in housing and civil rights complaints and appeals. Advocate for consumers' needs at hearings when they have been denied housing or regarding lease infractions.
- Represent consumers at eviction hearings and maintain strong working relationships with the tenant preservation program.
- Coordinate, facilitate, and represent consumers in interviews with housing agencies during the housing application process.
- Analyze housing policies and procedures for consumers who are legally blind and who have secondary disabilities and educate consumers about the housing regulations and policies to promote lease compliance, independence, and tenant preservation.
- Advocate for consumers and promote accessibility throughout the application process, explaining procedures to consumers and advocating for the specialized needs of individuals who are legally blind.
- Research and analyze housing options based on consumers' needs, income, transportation, and other factors, and facilitate the consumer's search, application, placement, and preservation in appropriate, affordable housing.
- Research housing facilities, entrance requirements, regulations, etc., and maintain up-to-date files for the agency so that it can respond to staff and consumer inquiries in a timely manner.
- Applies strong working knowledge of how CORI and immigrant statuses relate to housing eligibility and tenant preservation.
- Compile and maintain the agency housing manual by compiling current policies and procedures. Train Massachusetts Commission for the Blind staff on housing policies, rules, and regulations and how they relate to the consumer population with the agency housing manual.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
- Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability in written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to acquire an objective understanding of the physical, emotional, and social implications of blindness to establish a productive relationship with consumers.
- Capacity to provide supportive counseling to consumers and their families.
- Competence to conduct evaluations and assessments related to housing.
- Strong familiarity with housing policies and resources. Strong familiarity with state and federal laws regarding housing.
- Aptitude to understand, explain, and apply the laws, regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, standards, and guidelines governing the assigned unit.
- Strong mediation, negotiation skills, and dispute-resolution skills. Ability to work with individuals in crisis.
- Ability to apply housing policies and regulations related to disability issues. Familiarity with primary and secondary disabilities.
- Knowledge of housing court and tenancy preservation.
- Proficiency of CORI and immigration status as it relates to housing.
- Expertise in mediation and hearing procedures related to housing and legal issues related to hoarding.
- Ability to effectively prioritize, organize, and manage time. Ability to learn a variety of computer applications.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Knowledge of available subsidized housing within the area
- Experience with CORI reporting as it relates to housing. Knowledge of immigrant status as it relates to housing.
- Familiarity with the court system as it relates to the housing court.
- Knowledge of mediation and hearing procedures for the housing court and legal issues related to hoarding and hoarding interventions.
- Proficiency with ADA issues in housing management.
- Experience with effective dispute resolution.
- Understanding criminal records and tenant screening.
- Knowledge of addressing issues of substance use and abuse in older adults.
- Understanding fair housing laws with respect to disability rights and service animals.
- Competence with community resources related to housing.
- Knowledge of eye diseases, visual impairment, secondary disabilities, and their impact on housing.
About the Agency
The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) provides the highest quality rehabilitation and social services to individuals who are blind, leading to independence and full community participation. MCB accomplishes this critical mission by working in partnership with consumers who are legally blind, families, community agencies, health care providers, and employers.
Pre-Offer Process:
A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori
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.
If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.
For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1 (800) 510-4122, Ext. #4.
Qualifications
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:
At least two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional or paraprofessional experience in social work, social casework, vocational counseling, employment counseling, rehabilitation counseling, or educational counseling.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- A Bachelor's or higher degree in rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation counseling, education of the physically or emotionally handicapped, education of the multiple handicapped, education of the learning disabled, social work, psychology, human services, or counseling may be substituted for the required experience on the basis of two years of education for one year of experience.
- A Bachelor's or higher degree in a major other than rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation counseling, education of the physically or emotionally handicapped, education of the multiple handicapped, education of the learning disabled, social work, psychology, human services, or counseling may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience on the basis of four years of education for one year of experience.
- Licensure as a Licensed Rehabilitation Counselor by the Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health Professionals or Certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification may be substituted for the required experience.
**One year of education equals 30 semester hours. Education toward a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed
Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate's years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range .
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.
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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.