Title: Stability Resource Specialist (nonprofit)

Department: Community Services

Location: Bellevue (onsite work environment with occasional remote work)

Work Schedule: Full time, M-F 8:30am-5pm (hybrid schedule)

Compensation: $20.00 per hour

Benefits: Full benefits eligible including: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, paid vacation, holiday and sick leave, 401k retirement savings plan with employer matching, employee assistance and employee discount program. Hopelink offers internal career opportunities, various trainings, professional development, leadership development, and career path coaching.

Open: April 2023

Who we are: Since 1971, Hopelink has served homeless and low-income families, children, seniors and people with disabilities in the north and east King County, WA. With service centers in Redmond, Bellevue, Kirkland, Shoreline and Sno-Valley (Carnation), we are the largest nonprofit organization in the area. Hopelink programs and services focus on five key areas: food, financial assistance, housing & family development, adult education & employment, and transportation/mobility. Programs are aimed at helping people achieve stability and helping them gain the skills and knowledge they need to exit poverty for good.

Summary of the Stability Resource Specialist position:

The Stability Resource Specialist (SRS) engages with a wide diversity of clients one-on-one to discuss emergent needs and partner with clients to work toward stability. The SRS assesses client eligibility for a variety of resources and services; prepares applications for financial assistance; and provides short-term navigation, support, and advocacy as requested. This position requires both office skills such as attention to detail, organization, precision, and interpersonal skills such as compassion, empathy, and the ability to remain calm in tense or difficult situations. The SRS must be comfortable working with families/individuals experiencing active trauma, including, but not limited to, unemployment, mental illness, domestic violence, and homelessness.

Members of BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of color) communities, or people who have personal experience in historically marginalized and excluded communities are especially encouraged to apply.

What you will be doing:

• Engages with families/individuals coping with financial instability and unexpected hardship(s).
• Evaluates client-stated needs, informs client of relevant community resources, and assists client in accessing resources.
• Develops and maintains a strong knowledge of available services both within Hopelink and in the larger community in order to provide accurate, helpful referrals.
• Works collaboratively with clients to set goals and develop action plans.
• Supports individual/family financial health by facilitating the creation of budgets, financial literacy education, credit pulls, and by addressing barriers to stability.
• Serves as client advocate to third parties such as landlords, government agencies, third party service providers, and school districts.
• Accurately compiles lengthy financial assistance applications using a variety of databases and forms.
• Maintains and updates all paper and electronic client information to ensure accurate, consistent, timely data entry.
• Practices excellent time and task management skills to complete financial assistance applications in a timely manner and reduce adverse impact of delay.
• Maintains responsive, professional working relationships with partner organizations to work collaboratively on financial assistance applications.
• Assists in covering front desk as needed.
• Completes a high volume of enrollments for Food Bank enrollment.
• Assist client with non-financial consultation such as helping client fill out non-Hopelink applications and navigate application processes.
• Adheres to program goals and program eligibility requirements and policies.
• Adheres to ethical and confidentiality standards at all times.
• Performs general office duties such as typing, filing, copying, faxing, answering a multi-line telephone, and routing calls.
• Maintains a positive working relationship with clients, vendors, volunteers, donors, and fellow staff and adheres to the Hopelink Standards of Conduct.
• Respects, values, and welcomes all people at all times, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, color, national origin, marital status, the presence of any physical, sensory, or mental disability, sexual orientation, political ideology, gender identity, military status, genetic information, or any other expression of diversity.
• Willingness to be flexible in supporting operational needs. This may include helping as a center point person or covering a team members’ appointments if they are out of the office.
• Other duties as assigned.

Desired Qualifications: We’d love to hear from you. So, if you think you qualify, and don't necessarily meet every single point below, please still get in touch. We'd love to connect and see if you could be a great fit for the role.

• Intermediate level proficiency in MS Office suite including Word, Excel, Outlook and data systems.
• Introductory knowledge of human services client assessment methods, principles, and techniques.
• Ability to work in a team and independently.
• Exceptional verbal, written and organizational skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and effective decision-making skills to accomplish goals and creatively problem-solve issues.
• Ability to work effectively with and provide services to a diverse population.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, human services, or an equivalent combination of education, work experience, and/or military service.
• Two years case management, advocacy, systems navigation, or related experience
• Experience working with low-income families and individuals.
• Knowledge of the social service network throughout King County, as well as immediate community area helpful.
• Knowledge of financial coaching strategies and tools.
• Bi-lingual applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands and work environment described herein 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 who are otherwise qualified to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to regularly lift 20 pounds
• Work involves standing, walking, stooping, talking, reaching, sitting, bending, kneeling, climbing, grasping, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, and reaching with hands and arms.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet but varies considerably. Applicant must be able to tolerate loud noise for brief periods on occasion.

Licenses, Certificates and Other Requirements:

• Must be able to pass criminal background check.
• Must have reliable transportation in order to adhere to employee attendance requirements.

We are actively building an environment that welcomes and encourages the involvement and success of all individuals and respects the new possibilities that are created when diverse people, beliefs and values are included.

If you want to join our dynamic team, why not bring your talents and skills to Hopelink? In addition to great staff, we offer a competitive benefit package.

To see all Hopelink’s open positions, please visit:

http://hopelink.org/about-us/careers

Hopelink is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to workplace diversity.

www.hopelink.org