Hybrid FHARPS Housing Support Specialist chez Kitsap Mental Health Services

FHARPS Housing Support Specialist

Hiring Range: $24.94 - $30.55 Per Hour

Benefits: 

• Comprehensive Health & Wellness Coverage: Enjoy extensive health, dental, and vision benefits to support your well-being, with access to top-tier care and services.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Take advantage of up to 19 days of paid time off (PTO), plus 2 mental health days and 10 paid holidays in your first year, giving you the time you need to recharge and take care of yourself. (Pro-rated for part-time employees.)
• Company-Paid Life & Disability Insurance: We’ve got you covered with short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance, all provided at no cost to you, so you can feel secure in every situation.
• Student Loan Assistance & Professional Development: Benefit from student loan repayment assistance and a commitment to your growth with extensive training and development opportunities to advance your career.
• 403(b) Retirement Plan: Take control of your future with a wide range of investment options in our 403(b) plan. Depending on eligibility, you could also receive generous company contributions to help grow your retirement savings.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Access confidential support through our EAP, offering resources for personal and professional challenges, including counseling, financial advice, and more.
• Pets Best Pet Insurance: Keep your furry family members healthy with comprehensive pet insurance for your cats and dogs, covering a variety of treatments and services.
• 2MorrowHealth Behavioral Change App: Improve your mental and physical well-being with free access to 2MorrowHealth, a powerful app designed to support healthy behavior changes and wellness goals.
• Home Support Services: Whether you’re buying, selling, or refinancing, we offer valuable resources to assist with your home journey, helping you navigate the process with confidence.
• Dynamic, Collaborative Team Environment: Join an incredible team that thrives on collaboration, creativity, and support, where every voice is heard and every idea valued.

Kitsap Mental Health Services (KMHS) is hiring a Housing Support Specialist to join our Forensic Housing and Recovery Through Peer Services (FHARPS) program. This role empowers, educates, and supports clients who are experiencing serious and persistent mental illness and participating in KMHS housing services. The Housing Support Specialist plays a vital role in helping clients identify and achieve their housing goals, navigating them through eligibility requirements, and building supportive relationships with community housing providers. This position partners with other KMHS programs and external agencies—especially those serving clients involved with the criminal legal system—to secure and maintain stable housing across Kitsap, Clallam, and Jefferson counties.

Primary Responsibilities:

•         Develop individualized, strengths-based housing plans and help clients set and pursue housing goals.

•         Initiate contact with eligible clients promptly after referral; utilize mobile outreach when necessary.

•         Update housing plans as client needs evolve.

•         Complete and maintain accurate documentation of housing progress and client contact.

•         Perform FCS assessments, goal development, and provide ongoing support and dispute resolution.

•         Provide frequent contacts per client need to assist with housing crises and stabilization.

•         Offer coaching, advocacy, referrals, and coordination of resources.

•         Assist clients in completing tenancy paperwork and understanding requirements.

•         Participate in local housing coalitions, planning groups, and continuum of care committees.

•         Collaborate regularly with clinical and housing teams, reporting client mental status, risks, and barriers.

•         Support early identification and intervention for behaviors that could jeopardize housing.

•         Take appropriate steps when clients experience illness, injury, or psychiatric crises.

•         Work closely with housing voucher teams to support implementation and compliance.

•         Conduct outreach and provide independent living skills coaching.

•         Develop and maintain positive working relationships with local landlords and housing providers.

•         Document all services and maintain confidential records in accordance with agency policies.

Minimum Qualifications:

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE: Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, social services, or behavioral health field OR Four or more year’s relevant experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

This position requires driving clients in a personal vehicle on behalf of the agency; therefore, the incumbent must meet agency driving requirements, including meeting the minimum age requirement of 21 years old, successfully completing a motor vehicle history check, possessing and maintaining a current, valid driver's license in the state of Washington, and having reliable, insured transportation.

LICENSURE: Agency Affiliated Counselor Registration.

Preferred Qualifications:

EXPERIENCE:

Experience in co-occurring disorders treatment, individual and group therapy, vocational services, or substance abuse treatment.

Performance Requirements:

KNOWLEDGE:

1. Maintain a working knowledge of mental health rehabilitation standards.

SKILLS:

1. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other employees, clients, organizations, and the public.
2. Communication ‑ Communicates clearly and concisely.
3. Computer skills ‑ Ability to operate a personal computer, fax machine, printer, and copier proficiently.

ABILITIES:

1. Demonstrated ability to meet or exceed productivity standards. Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively as a team member.
2. Able to assist in building positive working relationships with staff of all agency departments.

Our recruitment processes are designed to prevent discrimination against our people regardless of gender identity or orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any aspect which makes someone unique.