YOUNG ADULT COORDINATED ENTRY NAVIGATOR

BE PART OF THIS EXCITING NEW OPPORTUNITY AT GANDARA CENTER!

The Gándara Center provides residential, mental health, substance abuse, and preventive services for children, adults, and families across the Pioneer Valley and eastern parts of Massachusetts. Founded in the Hispanic community, we value cultural diversity and strive to provide culturally competent, innovative services to a diverse community. The Mission of the Gándara Center is to promote the well-being of Hispanics, African-Americans, and other culturally diverse populations, through innovative, culturally competent behavioral health, prevention, and educational services.

We're searching for a Young Adult Coordinated Entry Navigator to join our SHINE Program. The Coordinated Entry Navigator will be a vital member of the young adult housing system in Hampden County by offering supportive services and linkages to housing for young adults in the region who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness. SHINE Young Adult Coordinated Entry Navigators will work collaboratively with Navigators from Center for Human Development (CHD) to serve young adults ages 18 to 24 experiencing housing instability by providing the following: housing-focused case management, housing readiness, accessing housing assistance programs, with a special focus on education and/ or employment, permanent connections, and health and well-being. The SHINE Young Adult Coordinated Entry Navigator will employ best practices such as Positive Youth Development, Trauma-Informed Care, Racial Equity, Motivational Interviewing, Housing First, Harm Reduction, and Problem Solving specific to youth and young adults with a culturally competent lens.

EMPOWERING LIVES. RESTORING FAMILIES

PRINCIPLE DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Engage potentially high-risk clients in individualized case management, safety planning, and planning for housing, employment, and/or education, including those referred by other CHD and Ga̒ndara Navigators needing more intensive follow-up.
• Establish positive professional working relationships with individuals assessed and served.
• Provide linkages to community resources, which increase opportunities for stable housing and economic independence.
• Complete substance use, educational, job readiness assessments with participants and develop service plans with participants to achieve goals as necessary.
• Provide aftercare outreach and assistance.
• Develop relationships with potential funding sources, establish and maintain community linkages and collateral contacts, including area shelters, and local housing organizations.
• Attends applicable meetings with network provides, the Network to End Homelessness, Hampden County CoC, and others as necessary.
• Participates in collaborating projects with other agencies/CoC as applicable to the position and knowledge base.
• Completes all required reports and tracking tools for participants, funding sources and the agency.
• Respond to after-hours work related phone calls.
• Perform other tasks as determined by the Supportive Housing Services Manager and/or other Department/Agency administrators.

Required Skills

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Associates degree and/or 3 years experience in homelessness services.
• Lived experience strongly preferred.
• Ability to be innovative, creative, analytical, and decisive in problem-solving.
• Ability to work effectively with other community agencies (i.e. School Dept., DCF, Juvenile Court, etc…) required.
• Ability to structure and organize job responsibilities independently.
• Ability to deal with diverse populations.
• Ability to actively market and promote services.
• Good typing/computer skills.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Bilingual/Bicultural (English/Spanish) encouraged to apply.
• Previous experience with young adults.
• Commitment to racial equity and inclusive practices.

LEADERSHIP, TEAM MANAGEMENT, AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

• Seeks and uses management staff for training and supervision.
• Seeks and attends community trainings to strengthen skills and knowledge.
• Attends Agency and Department required meetings and trainings.
• Sensitivity to, and respect for, the diverse world views and different communication styles of individuals of diverse ethnic, linguistic and/or cultures which nurture and shape an organization that celebrates and promotes diversity in its workforce.
• Highly effective and well-honed verbal and written communication and presentation skills in English; interpersonal skills necessary to persuade and guide both peers and other Agency staff regarding operational matters.

EXHIBIT EXEMPLARY CUSTOMER SERVICE, COMPASSION, AND CARE IN THE EXECUTION OF ALL DUTIES AND INTERACTIONS.

BENEFITS

• Retirement Plan 403(b)
• Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Paid vacations
• Paid holidays
• 8 discretionary days a year

The Gandara Mental Health Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Required Experience

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Associates degree and/or 3 years experience in homelessness services.
• Lived experience strongly preferred.
• Ability to be innovative, creative, analytical, and decisive in problem-solving.
• Ability to work effectively with other community agencies (i.e. School Dept., DCF, Juvenile Court, etc…) required.
• Ability to structure and organize job responsibilities independently.
• Ability to deal with diverse populations.
• Ability to actively market and promote services.
• Good typing/computer skills.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Bilingual/Bicultural (English/Spanish) encouraged to apply.
• Previous experience with young adults.
• Commitment to racial equity and inclusive practices.

LEADERSHIP, TEAM MANAGEMENT, AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

• Seeks and uses management staff for training and supervision.
• Seeks and attends community trainings to strengthen skills and knowledge.
• Attends Agency and Department required meetings and trainings.
• Sensitivity to, and respect for, the diverse world views and different communication styles of individuals of diverse ethnic, linguistic and/or cultures which nurture and shape an organization that celebrates and promotes diversity in its workforce.
• Highly effective and well-honed verbal and written communication and presentation skills in English; interpersonal skills necessary to persuade and guide both peers and other Agency staff regarding operational matters.

EXHIBIT EXEMPLARY CUSTOMER SERVICE, COMPASSION, AND CARE IN THE EXECUTION OF ALL DUTIES AND INTERACTIONS.

BENEFITS

• Retirement Plan 403(b)
• Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Paid vacations
• Paid holidays
• 8 discretionary days a year

The Gandara Mental Health Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.