Shelter Winter Intake Specialist

SAWC Winter Intake Specialist Position Description

Reports to: Assessment Team Manager, Program Director

Position Type: Part-Time, Seasonal, In person at Delonis and offsite locations

About Us:

Eight million Americans are one paycheck away from becoming homeless. In Washtenaw County, 5000 people are experiencing homelessness. The Shelter Association of Washtenaw County (SAWC) was established in 1982 and is the primary provider of services and emergency shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness in Washtenaw County. SAWC is housed at the Robert J. Delonis Center in downtown Ann Arbor. SAWC works with a diverse range of people struggling with homelessness, including first-time homelessness, veterans, domestic violence survivors, and people battling substance abuse and/or mental health issues. Services are offered through our core programs: Residential Emergency Shelter, Non-Residential, Shelter Diversion, Critical-Time Intervention, and Warming Shelter. The SAWC serves nearly 1500 people annually.

The Shelter Association of Washtenaw County is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Mission:

Ending homelessness, one person at a time.

Position Description:

The Winter Intake Specialist complete intakes for the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County’s (SAWC) winter programs in the evening about 15-25 hours each week. As clients enter the shelter for the first time, the specialist will complete an intake in the Homeless Management and Information System (HMIS). The Winter Intake Specialist is a seasonal position (October until May 2025) to support the winter programs and conduct a HMIS assessment with each individual accessing shelter. Hourly pay is $19.50 rate.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Adhere to NASW Code of Ethics.
• Commitment to SAWC’s mission of ending homelessness.
• Be familiar with and implement SAWC policies and procedures.
• Ensure winter program participants are referred by coordinated entry, also known as the Housing Access of Washtenaw County (HAWC).
• Monitor, track, and communicate to staff the program participants who have yet to receive a coordinated entry referral and winter program assessment using a Master List.
• Aid in completion and coordination of client intakes/assessments using HMIS.
• Document various client information and activities in HMIS and staff notes professionally and appropriately.

• Assess client’s immediate needs and connect to appropriate shelter services and external resources.
• Be willing to travel to offsite shelter locations when needed to complete intakes with additional clients.
• Be willing to complete intakes in person at the Delonis Center.
• Support with data reports and monitoring needs for winter programs.

Qualifications:

Associate degree, professional certification, BS or BA in Social Work or related field.  1-2 or more years’ experience with the Homeless Management & Information System (HMIS). Must have good verbal and written communication skills. Must have strong critical thinking skills. Must have a positive attitude, be open to change, and eager to be a part of achieving greater mission of ending homelessness. Computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook and Access.

Requirements:

• Able to work as a team member
• Utilize good judgment and clear thinking in crisis situations.
• High degree of cultural competency and equity lens
• Able to be mindful of personal boundaries, ethical obligations and the primacy of client needs.
• Commitment to economic justice, civil and human rights issues.
• Mature in nature and professional in action.
• Valid Michigan Driver’s License and reliable transportation.

Perks:

• The Specialist will work closely alongside another part time Winter Intake Specialist and these two positions will operate as a team to complete client intakes and connect each client to resources.
• Initial Training will be provided onsite at the Delonis Center.
• 6pm to 11pm, 3 to 4 days a week is preferred, but can arrange an alternative evening schedule upon hire
• Position is set to start as soon as possible