FSS Program Coordinator

The FSS Coordinator is responsible for the design and implementation of the Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS) which is paid for by a grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The  FSS Coordinator role is multifaceted requiring the coordinator to be a skills evaluator, mentor, networker, motivator, teacher and coach. The FSS Coordinator will work on site at Blue Ridge Estates in the Management/Leasing Office and will need to be able to work as needed days/hours that are outside of “traditional” work hours .  The FSS Coordinator provides participants with access to financial education/literacy/empowerment/coaching programs that will help them acquire the knowledge and skills to make informed and effective decisions that ultimately help them reach their goals and achieve self-sufficiency and financial stability.

Job Responsibilities:
I.    Program Start-up & Implementation
•    Create and implement an outreach plan and enroll FSS participant families, maintaining at least the minimum number (25 participants) to be served per the NOFO award. 

•    Develop informational brochures and marketing materials.
•    Conduct outreach to market the FSS Program and interview interested residents.
•    Complete assessments of residents and enroll them in FSS including completing participant contracts and service plans; reassess and revise goals as necessary with residents Provide case management and referrals for FSS participants to external partners. 
•    Ensure that the services and supports included in the participants' Contracts of Participation are provided on a regular basis and that  participants are fulfilling their responsibilities under the Contracts.
•    Monitor the progress of participants, promote opportunities for them to increase their income and address and eliminate barriers to advancement and graduation.

II.  Networking and Community Resource Coordination

•    Coordinate regular meetings with Program Coordinating Committee (PCC) members.  
•    Collaborate with the PCC to focus on providing residents with access to supportive services either onsite or through referral in areas such as training programs, GED classes, housing counseling, and homebuyer training. 
•    Partner with organizations that conduct financial education workshops that cover topics such as credit, debt, savings, budgeting, asset building and banking services; and/or organizations that can provide financial coaching.
•    Identify gaps in service and problem solve to determine how to meet the needs. 

IV.  Set-up and Management of Escrow Accounts
•    Work with Assistant Comptroller to provide needed information to create escrow accounts and ensure that they are properly maintained for eligible families. 
•    Ensure that FSS families are provided with a statement of their escrow account balance at least once each year, but more often is encouraged.
•    Meet quarterly with Assistant Comptroller to review escrow account status for FSS participants and address any forfeited escrow funds in accordance with established policies and procedures.
V.   Documentation and Reporting
•    Prepare clear, concise reports to be submitted as required. 
•    Communicate clearly, both in writing and orally.
•    Create and maintain case files for all FSS program participants. 
•    Document resident benchmarks in goal achievement. 

Required Skills and Knowledge:

•    Experience working with youth and families and issues relating to workforce development, youth enrichment, education and asset building.
•    Ability to understand and respect values, attitudes, and beliefs that differ across cultures and to respond appropriately to these differences with residents in planning, implementing, and evaluating programs and services.
•    Knowledge of the local organizations and programs that can assist FSS participants and help provide for the financial literacy, asset building, job development and coaching needs of the residents.
•    Skill in performing motivational interviewing with participants in order to help participants set goals and track follow-up progress.
•    Capable of building and maintaining positive relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders, including but not limited to, residents, senior staff, interns, and community partners.
•    Ability to collect, track and understand data in order to assess programs and partnerships and inform strategies.
•    Operate in a timely manner, with consistency and a high level of integrity and professionalism; provide excellent customer service to residents and partners.
•    Excellent communication, organization, problem-solving and writing skills.
•    Proficiency with MS Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook and other computer programs.
•    Knowledge of Yardi, Property Management databases, FamilyMetrics is a plus.
•    Knowledge of federal, state and local policies affecting housing particularly Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and FSS program is a plus.
•    Ability to work some weekends and evenings is required.
•    Bilingual in English and dominant language of minority in community i.e., Spanish, Cape Verdean, Haitian Creole, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, etc. is a plus.

Minimum Education, Training and Experience:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in sociology, psychology, education or related field; and two years responsible experience as a FSS Coordinator, Resident Service Coordinator, case manager or counselor; or combination of education, training and experience equivalent to the above. Bilingual/bicultural skills in understanding the resident demographic representative of the housing community is helpful but not required.

• Medical, Dental and Vision insurance, beginning on the first of the month after hire.
• 401(k) with company match, short term disability and long term disability insurance.
• 3 weeks’ paid vacation, 13 paid holidays.
• Summer flex scheduling options to allow for early releases on Friday from Memorial Day to Labor Day.