Catholic Community Services of Western Washington and the Archdiocesan Housing Authority (doing business as Catholic Housing Services and Coordinated Care Agency) are outreaches of the Catholic Church in Western Washington. Rooted in the Gospel message of love and hope, we recognize the sacredness and dignity of every human person. Our focus is on those individuals, children, families, and communities struggling with poverty and the effects of intolerance and racism.

The Housing and Essential Needs (HEN) program at Catholic Community Services (CCS) provides rent and utility assistance, bus passes, and essential needs products to disabled adults who are experiencing housing instability. Over 4,000 people are currently being served by HEN King County through a staff of 50, with dozens of new people added onto a rental interest list every week. The program has Rental Assistance and Homeless Services case management teams, a team of resource specialists that respond to the HEN Resource Line, an ORCA Lift program that provides free annual bus passes, and an Essential Needs team that creates hundreds of health & hygiene bags each month. The program operates out of the Randolph Carter Center (RCC) and Phoenix Center (Phoenix) in central Seattle as well as two CCS family centers in Kent and Federal Way. HEN is a statewide program, and eligibility is determined through DSHS. CCS has contracted with King County to deliver the services. 

How YOU can make a difference:

The Intake Specialist conducts brief phone assessments with clients to verify initial eligibility, and then they schedule qualified clients for a full assessment in the appropriate office. The intake line receives over 3,000 calls a month, and staff schedule nearly 2,500 appointments a month. Intake Specialist answers client questions and provide basic information and referral for services in King County. The Intake Specialist assists with the EN bank which sees on average of 50 to 100 clients weekly.

If you are looking for meaningful work, make a tangible difference, and drive positive change, find out more at: https://ccsww.org/careers/

Benefits & Compensation

This is a Full-time, 40-hour position starting at $23.88 - 25.31/hr (D.O.E) with a competitive benefits package:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Generous paid time off (PTO),  paid sick time, 15 days of paid vacations
• 12 days of paid holidays, plus one (1) personal holiday
• CCS/AHA 403(b) Employee Savings Plan
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Scheduling

• Answer the main program phones receiving over 3,000 calls a month professionally and with compassion for the client’s situation.
• Verify client enrollment through the DSHS Benefit Verification System.
• Schedule nearly 1,000 appointments a month clients for an assessment with one of the Prevention Coordinators following specific program policies and procedures.
• Manage the schedule for eight Coordinators in six offices throughout King County.
• Research and referral of client resources. Inquiries from Public

Inquiries from Public

• Follow communication procedures as defined by HIPPA and agency standards on proper handling of protected information.
• Troubleshooting client issues with clients, landlords, other social service agencies, DSHS, and family/friends of clients.
• Assist walk-in clients with scheduling questions, picking up of Essential Needs items, dropping off paperwork and answering basic questions about the program.

Data Entry

• Ensure client records are kept in accordance with agency and program standards.
• Input client level data on a regular basis into various data collection systems following specific data entry policies and procedures.
• Administration work as assigned which may include updating databases, maintaining spreadsheets, organizing and archiving client files, writing meeting minute notes, etc.

Essential Needs Bank

• The Intake Specialists also assist with distributing a high volume of high value transportation assistance items, such as orca LIFT cards valued at $54 each, to clients during the weekly bank.
• Assist with unloading and organizing of the storage room of essential need items.
• Serve clients at the Essential Needs bank by distributing transportation assistance and hygiene and cleaning items.
• Check database to make sure client is eligible for assistance and follow specific documentation procedures insuring accuracy and completeness. 

Other

• Attend trainings required of employees as scheduled.
• Participate as team member in staff and supervisory meetings as required.
• Contribute to and support a positive, team-oriented, culturally-diverse work environment.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
• Observe/follow guidelines on confidentiality rights of clients and respect their privacy.
• Maintain accurate record of hours worked and turn in timesheets on schedule.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associates degree in social services or a related field, or commensurate experience in social services.
• Understanding of problems homeless people often face, including alcohol and drug abuse, mental illness, domestic violence, and long-term homelessness.
• Excellent written and oral communication.
• Excellent office computer skills and phone skills.
• Applicant must successfully pass required background checks prior to an offer of employment.
• Ability to work independently in addition to working as a member of a team.
• Demonstrates the necessary attitudes, knowledge and skills to deliver culturally competent services and work effectively in multi-cultural situations.
• Support and uphold the mission, beliefs and values of Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services.
• Support and contribute to a creative, collaborative and respectful environment that promotes teamwork.
• Criminal history background checks are required prior to employment.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Customer service experience in call center setting.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Social Work or a related field.
• Experience providing information and referral.
• Fluency in second language that is spoken by a substantial number of HEN recipients.

Note to Internal Candidates: HR reviews internal compensation and determines any increase based on their experience and also agency internal equity factors.

Catholic Community Services of Western Washington and the Archdiocesan Housing Authority (doing business as Catholic Housing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please let us know if you need special accommodations to apply or interview for this position.

EMPLOYEE/EMPLOYER PLEDGE: We will not tolerate attitudes, behaviors, or statements that alienate, offend, or injure any person associated with CCS because of their racial or ethnic origin.  We will enable and support all efforts to become aware of and eliminate racism and racist behaviors within CCS and the broader community.  We will take exceptional steps to identify and root out such biases, especially where there appear to be long standing, institutional patterns of unacceptable behavior or lack of performance.