Wellness Navigator: Soledad

JOB TITLE: Wellness Navigator

REPORTS TO: Program Manager

HOURS: 40

CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt 

REQUISITION NUMBER: 1787

SUMMARY: 

The Wellness Navigator (WN) will provide on-site engagement and peer support services that promote socialization, recovery, wellness, self-advocacy, development of natural support, and maintenance of community living skills to a caseload of up to 20 residents, placed at the City of Soledad’s Emergency Shelter Modular units. The WN will be a member of an existing case management new team formed to expand Step Up’s successful transitional housing program in Soledad. All members receiving services experience chronic homelessness and co-occurring challenges.

BENEFITS AND WHAT WE OFFER:

DUTIES: The following reflects essential functions for this job but does not restrict other tasks which may be assigned:

Rehabilitative Skill Building, Recovery Supports and Independent Living 

• As part of the treatment team, the WN assists residents to identify and achieve their goals on the Individual Service Plan 
• Meets with assigned residents individually through regular room visits to provide peer support services and interventions, to review progress toward goals and ensure housing stability 
• Use personal experience to coach residents on independent living skills, relapse prevention planning, and the acquisition of skills needed to manage symptoms of their mental illness 
• Utilize community resources to support resident’s vocational choices and assist with overcoming job-related anxiety and choosing positions that match their strengths to transition to work 
• Assist clients in building social skills that will enhance employment opportunities and job retention 
• Models effective coping techniques, self-advocacy skills and self-help strategies and facilitate linkages to life skills groups and community-based recreational opportunities 
• Monitor residents for warning signs of de-compensation and crisis, and coordinate with the treatment team to respond accordingly 
• Responsible for documenting all services provided and submitting paperwork in a timely and accurate manner. 

Documentation and Data Collection

• Utilize HMIS and Welligent Databases for entering all pertinent tenant updates/encounters, and document all services provided. 
• Enter all demographic data into HMIS. Includes updates to changes in income and any demographic domain. Entries and exits.
• Participate in the lease-up process. Enter vacancies into HMIS and receive referrals through the Coordinated Entry System (CES) if applicable.
• Other duties as assigned.

Team Engagement and Support 

• Work collaboratively with other members of the team to support residents, effectively perform their assigned job duties and contribute to the program's goals and objectives of client’s housing and income stability 
• Attend staff meetings, supervision and training as required

 SKILLS:

• Strong engagement and relationship-building skills with individuals experiencing homelessness, mental illness, and co-occurring disorders 
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, recovery-oriented services, and Housing First principles 
• Ability to de-escalate crises and respond appropriately in high-stress situations 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills 
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries while providing peer-based support 
• Experience with documentation and data entry in systems such as HMIS and Welligent 
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team 
• Organizational and time management skills with ability to prioritize tasks effectively 
• Knowledge of community resources, benefits, and supportive services 
• Ability to support clients in developing independent living skills, self-advocacy, and wellness goals 
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office programs including Outlook, Word, and Excel 
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work with diverse populations 
• Strong observation skills and ability to identify behavioral health or housing stability concerns early 
• Reliable transportation and ability to conduct field-based/community work 

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QUALIFICATIONS:

A minimum of 1-year Wellness Specialist experience working with homeless adults diagnosed with a mental illness in community settings. Ability to work as a part of a team is crucial. Knowledge of Microsoft Office is essential. Must have own transportation and current California driver's license and insurance with good driving record.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: Work with people experiencing homelessness whether on the streets, in shelters, or other places of habitation or services, may present inherent challenges and difficulties such as: exposure to bed bugs or other infestations, unpleasant smells or odors, individuals who may have poor hygiene or unclean homes due to homelessness, mental health symptoms, or poverty. Additionally, in working with our members, employees may encounter instances of profanity, sexually explicit or derogatory language, or verbal or physical expressions of anger and trauma. Very rarely do these situations ever escalate to physical contact, and negative or derogatory communication patterns can often be negotiated successfully. All direct care staff are provided adequate training to develop skills to deescalate crisis situations that may arise, and Step Up has established procedural safeguards for all employees to mitigate (but not eliminate) these inherent risks of employment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and fingers; handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk; and hear. The employee is frequently required to walk, balance, stoop, kneel, and/or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Keyboard data entry required.

Step Up utilizes the principles of trauma-informed care and mental health recovery. These principles inform our Core Values of Hope, Wellness, Voice and Choice, Respect, and Collaborative Relationships. As representatives of Step Up, employees agree to adhere to these values in their interactions with members, colleagues, supervisors, and associated community members.

STEP UP CORE VALUES

HOPE – We believe all people have the capacity for positive growth and change. We use hope to inspire and motivate ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

WELLNESS – We believe in promoting a culture that supports healthy and fulfilling lives. We use a supportive environment to foster well-being for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

VOICE AND CHOICE – We believe in the right to choose and be heard. We use voice and choice to create meaningful outcomes and empowerment for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

RESPECT – We believe in promoting interactions that are non-judgmental, transparent. We use respect to guide all of our words and actions with ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS – We believe in forming partnerships to share resources, knowledge, and experiences. We use collaborative relationships to strengthen accomplishments for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

Step Up provides equal employment opportunities without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, mental or physical disability, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.

STEP UP IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER