Prevention Specialist

Who We Are

Solid Ground (SG) is an award-winning nonprofit organization whose proven, holistic approach helps families build the strong foundations they need to emerge from homelessness into a brighter future. Through safe, affordable housing and innovative supportive programming, Solid Ground helps families transition to a higher-level of self-sufficiency and break the cycle of homelessness and poverty for the next generation.

Why You'll Love Working Here

At the heart of Solid Ground is the belief that housing stability is fundamental to the healthy development of children and to a family's ability to be contributing members of the community. Solid Ground currently runs eight programs in suburban Ramsey and Washington Counties and housing over 660 individuals annually. Our mission is to prevent and end homelessness for families with children in the communities we serve through housing, resources, and opportunity.

Wages and Benefits

$23.00 - $24.00 per hour; Paid vacation time, sick time, plus ten paid holidays and two floating holidays; competitive health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings account (HSA), and options for flexible spending accounts (FSA). There is employer paid basic life insurance with the option for additional coverage paid by the employee. The employer pays for Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) and short and long-term disability insurance. SG sponsors a retirement plan with automatic enrollment at 3% and a 3% employer match after one year of service, plus immediate vesting.

A Typical Day in the Life...

A typical day as Solid Ground's Prevention Specialist provides an opportunity to assist tenants and landlords and work together to prevent homelessness and preserve tenancies. Responsibilities will include the following:

• Accepting referrals from the Prevention Manager.
• Processing requests for Prevention Assistance.
• Entering the appropriate information into the HMIS and ClientTrack within one business day of funding approval.
• Handling intakes, assessment calls, and callbacks from the prevention phone line in a timely manner.
• Assisting in completing funding requirements and applications for funds.
• Conducting interviews and assessments leading to program qualifications.
• Counseling tenants and landlords on their rights and responsibilities.
• Providing referrals to other social service agencies, if necessary, to assist participants in achieving the goal of zero balance.
• Collaborating with community partners and other stakeholders to inform people about the programs and to identify potential participants.
• Participating in Eviction Court Collaboration as needed.
• Following up with participants as indicated by grant guidelines.

Who You Are

• You hold a Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, or a related field, with at least one year of experience in a social service advocacy position, or you have a combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge.
• You have experience working with diverse racial and socio-economic backgrounds in homeless or housing settings, or related environments.
• You have experience working with underserved communities and families experiencing behavioral and/or mental health issues, chemical dependency or substance abuse, homelessness, and/or other barriers that affect participants.
• You have knowledge of laws governing rental housing and have the ability to locate affordable housing for program participants.
• You understand and are committed to the "Housing First" philosophy and Trauma-Informed practices.
• You have knowledge of community resources and community outreach programs.
• You are skilled in crisis intervention.
• You are self-directed and able to work collaboratively within a team.
• You possess excellent time management and organizational skills.
• You possess strong computer skills, including competency with Microsoft Office applications.
• You have knowledge of poverty, welfare reform, affordable housing, and other issues affecting program participants to ensure that programs and services meet participants' needs.
• You are able to communicate effectively and persuasively in oral and written communication on both interpersonal and group levels.
• You have a valid driver's license, access to reliable transportation, and the ability to meet Solid Ground's driving record requirements. Please note that if the license was not issued in the state of Minnesota, you have 60 days after becoming a Minnesota resident in which to apply for your Minnesota driver's license or permit (not applicable for new hires living out of state).

Diversity and open expression are fundamental to the work of Solid Ground. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment where everyone can belong. Every member of our team enriches our work by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design, and deliver solutions. We welcome everyone to apply, especially those individuals who are underrepresented in our sector: individuals who identify as BIPOC, Indigenous or people of culture, LGBTQI+ and gender fluid or gender nonconforming, individuals with disabilities (both seen and unseen), veterans, people of any age or family status. We value the contributions of a diverse workforce, and we welcome and encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We encourage you to apply even if you feel like you don't fit 100% of the technical requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, disability, age, marital status, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, status with regard to public assistance, criminal history (justice-impacted status), housing or homelessness status, height, or weight.

Our organization has a partnership with Metropolitan Alliance of Connected Communities (MACC) to provide administrative services including management of the hiring process. If you apply for this position, you may see references to MACC in some online materials.

Solid Ground participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. See E-Verify's official poster at https://e-verify.uscis.gov/web/media/resourcesContents/E-Verify_Participation_Poster_ES.pdf. See E-Verify's Right to Work poster at https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER_RightToWorkPoster%20Eng_Es.pdf.