Department:	Human Service Programs
Job Title:	Coordinated Access Specialist
Job Code:	K125-701
Civil Service Position:	Non Civil Service position
Union Affiliation:	None
Hours Per Week:	37.5

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Reporting to the CCAN Program Manager, the Specialist will serve a key function within the collaborative, multi-agency Cambridge Coordinated Access Network (Cambridge CAN or C-CAN), both directly administering assessments to clients who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and serving on a team of dedicated Cambridge CAN staff working to organize and coordinate assessments, referrals, and communications among stakeholders.  The Specialist will be located at the Multi-Service Center, part of the Department of Human Service Programs, and will actively engage in the Department's Race and Equity Initiative.

Direct Service responsibilities:

• Administer the Cambridge CAN suite of intake, screening, assessment and referral tools to new clients presenting at the Cambridge Multi-Service Center; enter assessed clients' information into Cambridge's Homeless Management System (HMIS)
• Respond to phone inquiries and walk-ins, referring clients to appropriate services and assessment points as needed.
• Maintain strong knowledge of relevant homeless-specific and mainstream resources for referral in support of a wide range of client needs.
• Supporting data collection, entry and integrity efforts across the Continuum of Care (CoC).

Program coordination responsibilities, to be shared by Coordinated Access Specialists under the direction of the CCAN Program Manager:

• Provide technical assistance to Coordinated Access partner agencies on intake, assessment, and prioritization.
• Participate in meetings between Cambridge CAN partner agency staff, including a weekly case conference and operational or program evaluation check-ins.
• Serve as liaison between Cambridge CAN and relevant provider and community stakeholders, including responding promptly to inquiries by phone and email.
• Actively work to improve the level of system access for the full diversity of people, homeless and at risk of homelessness in Cambridge, as well as to promote a low-barrier Housing First orientation that values equity.
• Develop and carry out outreach strategies to promote Coordinated Access within the CoC and the wider community, as appropriate.
• Work closely with the Director of the Multi-Service Center and the CCAN Program manager to contribute to CoC-wide strategic/planning efforts.
• Maintain and manage the set of housing priority lists generated through the C-CAN assessment process.
• Manage the Cambridge CAN housing priority pool, including following protocol to refer selected clients to housing vacancies, and responding to agency refusals when necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor's Degree preferred and/or one to three years of experience in homeless or human services required. Strong organizational and administrative skills.  Excellent oral and written communications skills.  Crisis intervention skills, including the ability to assist clients in challenging situations and to support staff in their ability to provide assistance.  Experience coordinating a multi-partner initiative or project. Ability to exercise mature judgment in complex situations.  Knowledge of Cambridge and surrounding communities helpful.  The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse.  Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.  

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

General office environment with air conditioning and fluorescent lighting. There will be frequent outside meetings with partner agencies, local organizations, and community groups. This position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City's Telework Policy, depending on operational needs.         

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Must have sufficient mobility to travel between sites and to local meetings. Ability to access, input and retrieve information from a computer, answer telephones and maintain multiple files.  May require minimal lifting of up to 10 pounds. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

BENEFITS SUMMARY:

• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Vacation and Sick leave eligible
• Sick Incentive Pay Eligible
• 3 Personal days
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Management Allowance, $2,700/year

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Internal applicants submit a job bidding form and 2 copies of both your resume and cover letter; external applicants submit both your resume and cover letter via email to: employment@cambridgema.gov or to the Personnel Dept, Room 309, City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge MA  02139. Fax 617-349-4312. Resume and cover letter requested by 01/17/2023. Position will remain open until filled.

THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, SEX, RELIGION, AGE, NATIONAL ORIGIN, DISABILITY OR ANY OTHER PROTECTED CATEGORY. WOMEN, MINORITIES, VETERANS, MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY, AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. CITY OF CAMBRIDGE RESIDENTS ARE ESPECIALLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. AUXILIARY AIDS AND SERVICES, WRITTEN MATERIALS IN ALTERNATIVE FORMATS, AND REASONABLE MODIFICATIONS IN POLICIES AND PROCEDURES WILL BE PROVIDED TO QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES FREE OF CHARGE, UPON REQUEST. The City is committed to advancing a workforce culture of antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion.