ROSS Advocate

ROSS Advocate3009 Portland Ave E, Tacoma, WA 98404, USA Req #325 Tuesday, February 8, 2022 The Puyallup Tribe of Indians is committed to protecting and exercising the inherent inalienable sovereign rights of the Tribe and Individuals in the interest of the Medicine Creek Treat Territories, as stewards to ensure preservation of our cultural and environmental integrity for common good and prosperity for all. Closes: February 22, 2022 @8:59 p.m. PST

Department: HousingReports To: Resident Services Manager
Hours: 40 Hours/Week – Full TimeSalary: Based on Salary Matrix + Benefits*
Grant funded position - 36 months

MUST BE FULLY VACCINATED FOR COVID-19 PRIOR TO HIRE
*The Puyallup Tribe of Indians provides a generous benefits package that includes employer paid medical, dental, vision, life insurance, a retirement/401(k) plan with profit sharing, paid holidays, and paid time off including birthday leave.Position Summary:Under general supervision, the Housing Advocate will provide extensive case management functions for PTHD tenants and perform extensive field work via on-site visits. Performs functions in the management of all tenant-based housing services programs including Low Rent and LIHTC. Other duties include developing personal household budgets and creating forms, providing comprehensive case management with families to meet with them on a regular basis, link services and work closely with social services on social issues and working on solutions to those needs including counseling tenants to be a good renter. Other tasks include working with other entities to be resourceful and link services to tenants.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides case management for Housing Programs, participates in program development for resident initiatives and family self sufficiency.
  

• Knowledge of extensive and comprehensive case management to help households work toward self-sufficiency.
• Provide outreach to individuals and research all services to households or housing rentals or homeownership to other housing options available.
• Advises program participants of deficiencies in compliance and/or housekeeping requiring correction and sets deadline for such correction in accordance with PTHD policy.
• Establish and direct activities to fulfill functions based on priorities determined by the PTHD Housing Committee and the Housing Director.
• Utilize conflict resolution and problem solving skills.

• Maintains professional and technical knowledge and close contact with other service agencies and/or organizations to provide information and referral services to program participants and landlords.

• Assist staff in recruiting other agencies through outreach and briefs them on program procedures and related Federal, State and tribal housing laws.

• Maintains close contact with other service agencies and/or organizations to provide information and referral service to program participants.
• Maintains professional technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks.
• Promotes PTHD programs.
• Refers people to the Homeownership Program and works closely with them.

• Responsible for coordinating all program move-ins and move-outs with RS staff.

• Selects eligible applicants from waiting lists and offers units, provides tours of units, explains program requirements and applicant procedures under PTHD Admissions & Occupancy policy.
• Conducts move-in appointments and ensures that leases, initial certifications, inspections, policies and policy disclosures are reviewed and signed by new tenants.
• Coordinates with maintenance on rent-readiness of vacant units.

• Ensures that tenants leaving PTHD programs accounts are closed out, files sent to archive, move-out inspection is completed and work orders generated.

• Assists RS staff in maintaining an up-to-date file on each participant to contain the documentation as required by the PTHD's policies and program regulations.

• Maintain excellent record management and documentation.
• Assists with technical aspects of PTHD data, including electronic case notes, scanning original documents into database, assisting with database program needs and improvements.

• Performs tasks necessary to determine compliance with tribal, federal, state and regulatory entities, protocols established by HUD, and the standards established by the PTHD.

• Conducts rent comparability and fair market surveys on an on-going basis to maintain fair market information manual for the rental housing programs administered by the Housing Authority.

• Maintain up-to-date desk manual or procedure manual.
  
• Provide reports to the resident services/compliance manager and other housing staff as required.
• Assist with communication between tenants, housing staff and maintenance staff.
  

• Report immediately to the housing authority any significant occurrences of personal injury, property damage, or resident dissatisfaction. Document all incidences and correspondence with tenant and communicate with the maintenance department.

• Performs other essential duties and tasks as assigned.
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity for interfacing with a diverse workforce and a diverse community.

SECONDARY JOB FUNCTIONS:

• All duties of this position are considered to be essential. Resident Services Advocate, on occasion, will assist the office specialist through lunches and breaks accordingly and work with housing staff on all housing services.
• Resident services advocate will work closely with the maintenance department as well as assist resident services/ compliance manager with
• Answer emergency tenant calls and take necessary action, meet fire and emergency personnel and direct them to the appropriate location of the emergency.

Supervisory Responsibilities
This position has no supervisory duties.
Qualifications and RequirementsTo perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


Education and/or ExperienceMinimum qualifications: The incumbent must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that she/he can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.
Per Grant Requirements, incumbent must possess the following: A Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Sociology, Social Services, Human Services, Education or other related field and one year of full-time paid experience in the Human Services field involving direct services to clientele; OR B Graduation from an accredited two year college or university with an Associate’s Degree in Psychology, Sociology, Social Services, Human Services, Education or other related field and two years of full-time paid experience in the Human Services field involving direct services to clientele; OR C Graduation from High School or possession of a GED and three years of full-time paid experience working in the Human Services field involving direct services to clientele
OR an equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of A, B or C above.
In addition to the above education and experience requirements, candidate must be able to demonstrate the following:

• Intermediate word processing and spreadsheet skills using Word for Windows and Excel required.
• Able to work with households of different needs and work on solutions to those needs.
• Requires ability to read and write, perform/understand basic mathematical calculations, interpret, and implement written instructions, etc.
• Requires ability to hear and speak effectively, both orally and in writing, to exchange information and make presentations.
• Must have good manual dexterity, including eye/hand coordination, finger dexterity, etc., in operating computer keyboard and related software, computer printers, adding machine, telephone system, fax machine, photocopier, typewriter, stamp machine, and other office equipment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, local service providers, and the public.
• Possess good writing and communication skills.
• Maintain a good filing system and record-management system.
• Ability to organize, establish priorities and meet deadlines for work.
• Ability to maintain CONFIDENTIALITY.
• Committed to the goals of the Housing Authority.
• Knowledge of available resources, dynamics of human behavior of individuals and groups.
• Requires experience working with income-sensitive populations in a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural environment.
• Ability to handle emergencies with intelligence and purpose (i.e.: call 9-1-1 or tribal police when appropriate, access hospital emergency room, notify supervisor, complete Incident Report form, etc.).
• Ability to learn, follows, and applies complex regulations, policies and procedures.
• Requires principles of mediation and negotiations.
• Possesses ethics of public professionalism and principles of community relations, while using tact and good judgment.
• Ability to work with multiple demands in an effective, productive manner.
• Must be capable of analyzing situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Ability to give instructions and ensure they are followed.
• Ability to handle a large caseload of families.
• Strong knowledge of computer systems, including Microsoft Windows and Office programs, databases and spreadsheets, and other computer software programs.
• Other skills may be required; must be willing to learn and receive limited training.
  

SERVICE OBJECTIVE: Responsibilities to Community Members

• Courteous and respectful.
• Responsive to citizen requests.
• Performs job in a professional and ethical manner.
  

SUPPORTIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Treat co-workers with respect.
• Support a positive work environment.
• Communications.
• Keep others informed of work issues and programs by maintaining quality communications.
• Work to resolve issues of conflicting personalities and needs.
  

ORGANIZATION IMPROVEMENT:

• Commitment to a philosophy of quality.
• Display initiative to resolve problems, capitalize on opportunities in the job and assist co-workers when possible.
• Cost-effective use of PTHD’s resources.

Language SkillsAbility to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write complex grants, reports, plans, speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

Mathematical SkillsAbility to prepare detailed budgets and work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning AbilityAbility to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Licenses Or CertificatesMust have and maintain a valid and unrestricted Washington State driver’s license and proof of insurance required. Must be bondable and insurable
Other Skills And AbilitiesMust recognize and approve by signature all requirements and rules of the PTHD drug and alcohol policy. Must be able to pass a criminal background check prior to and periodically throughout employment. Must be able to work some evenings and weekends.
Physical DemandsThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Requires the ability to operate a typewriter, personal computer, multi-line telephone, calculator, facsimile and photocopier.
• Requires the ability to read, write, communicate, and interpret information accurately in English.
• Requires the ability to concentrate and consistently produce accurate work.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• The employee occasionally is required to stand and walk.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to sit for extended lengths of time. Manual and finger dexterity for operation of personal computer and routine paperwork.
• Lifting documents in excess of (25) pounds.
• Maneuvering cumbersome product samples.

Work EnvironmentThe work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The noise level is low to moderate.
• The physical exertion is low to moderate.
• Work is primarily performed in an office setting, with some travel to project sites.
• There are frequent employee contacts and interruptions during the day.
• Position may be stressful at times due to multi-tasking and critical deadlines and due to the sensitive or confidential issues being addressed.
• Requires occasional travel using employee’s own transportation.
• Inside majority of time with limited exposure to outside elements.

The Puyallup Tribe of Indians reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

Indian Preference Employer as Required by Law

Native American preference applies and job placements are given on a competitive basis, using job related factors. Because of the large number of applications received and limited job positions, your application will not guarantee employment.