Social Work Specialist - Housing Stability (Roth/Trailside)
Olmsted County has earned the 2023 and 2024 Best Places to Work - Southeast Minnesota designation.
Minimum Qualifications of Education and Experience
Expecting starting salary is $35.37 to $47.22. Full salary range $35.37 to $59.07.
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and two (2) years of experience in a similar position as listed in the work functions.
OR
Master’s degree from an accredited college or university and one (1) year of experience in a similar position as listed in the work functions.
Regular and reliable attendance is a necessary component of job/position. Individuals required to use County vehicles and equipment must have a valid driver’s license and be free of any major traffic violations for the last three (3) years.
Nature of Work
Based in the Olmsted County Housing Department and under the supervision of a Program Manager or Supervisor, the Social Work Specialist (SWS)- Housing Stability Team- ROTH/ Trailside will provide case management to single adults at two housing locations- Residences of Old Town Hall (ROTH) and Trailside Apartments. ROTH will support residents who have experienced homelessness in Olmsted County and Trailside Apartments will serve individuals age 55 and older. This role supports residents in maintaining stable housing, improving quality of life, and accessing community resources that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Examples of Work
Housing Case Management:
- Serves as a member of the Housing Stability Team and broader community homeless response system to support housing access and stability.
- Provides 1:1 case management to help ensure long-term housing success.
- Coordinate services such as medical care, mental health/substance use treatment, benefits enrollment, and transportation.
- Collaborate with property management to promote housing stability and intervene in situations of tenancy crisis.
- Complete Housing Consultation and Housing Stabilization Services (HSS) to connect eligible individuals with long-term support.
- Develop individualized service plans and maintain accurate documentation in client records.
- Implement individualized service plans based on assessed needs, strengths, and goals.
- Assist residents in maintaining eligibility for Minnesota Housing Support by coordinating annual renewals, verifications, and related documentation.
- Ensure compliance with Housing Support program requirements, including timely submission of income verifications, housing recertifications, and case notes.
- Collaborate with county financial workers and housing providers to support accurate and timely processing of Housing Support payments.
- Educate residents about their rights and responsibilities under Housing Support and related subsidy programs.
- Maintain knowledge of current DHS Housing Support policies and program updates.
- Support program audits and reviews related to Housing Support compliance and reporting.
- Provides leadership among community partners to improve homeless response programs and system effectiveness.
- Assists in program development and evaluation, including policy and procedure improvements.
- Maintains accurate and timely documentation in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and in SSIS.
- Participates in program evaluation and continuous improvement efforts.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required
- Knowledge and experience in working community members experiencing homelessness
- Knowledge of housing resources
- Thorough knowledge of the social sciences
- Thorough knowledge of the principles of social work
- Thorough knowledge of community resources
- Thorough knowledge of diversity and equity issues and ability to work with diverse populations
- Knowledge of motivating factors of human behavior
- Knowledge of trauma-informed practices, Harm Reduction, Housing First, and Motivational Interviewing practices
- Knowledge of therapeutic and strength-based approaches
- Knowledge of trauma-informed practices
- Knowledge of agency policies
- Knowledge of data practices and confidentiality
- Skill in verbal communication, public speaking, writing and recording of information and data
- Skill in the use of computers and technology
- Skill in individual and community advocacy
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with people served, colleagues, public officials and community members
- Ability to lead, mentor and train other staff
- Ability to understand individual and family needs with empathy and objectivity
- Ability to exercise good judgment in recommending possible solutions for individual and family needs and when utilizing conflict management and advocacy skills
- Ability to work independently and to recognize when supervision is needed
Persons with disabilities: the above is a general listing of job duties. Essential and non-essential functions may vary by individual position. Reasonable accommodations may be available for both essential and non-essential job duties.
Olmsted County
