Homeless Services Continuum of Care (CoC) Planner, Planning & Development

Company: City of Cambridge
Location: Cambridge
Posted on: August 4, 2022

Job Description:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The City of Cambridge seeks a CoC Planner to help coordinate efforts to address homelessness in Cambridge. This position is focused on ensuring that local and national goals related to improving the homeless crisis response system are addressed through collaboration with broad range of stakeholders. The planner will work in partnership with City and community-based providers and stakeholders in a leadership and organizing role to identify and strategize efforts to end homelessness in Cambridge. They will serve as the lead organizer for the annual Point in Time (PIT) count and annual competition for CoC Program funding. This position provides professional expertise and interpretation of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations for the Cambridge Continuum of Care (CoC) providers. It requires significant communication and reporting capabilities. Within the context of the CoC service system for homeless and near-homeless families and individuals, this position will work as part of a team to support a variety of housing options and related services. It will utilize data and information to work with funders, community agencies and other City staff to maintain funding and other resources, to assess the need for new alternatives and to plan for and develop new resources. This position participates in a variety of cross-departmental collaborations and provides information and expertise to support the City's response to housing instability and homelessness. This position operates as part of a professional staff team consisting of contract and grants managers, information specialists and others. The planner will actively engage in and support the Department's Race and Equity Initiative. Continuum of Care Responsibilities: Communicate and collaborate with broad range of nonprofit partners, City departments and other stakeholders to ensure compliance with HEARTH Act regulations, increase system efficiency and improve system performance and outcomes for clients; Update and maintain CoC Policies and Procedures, written standards and other governance documents; Monitor and evaluate project and system-level performance and compliance with regulatory requirements; Assist in the oversight and evaluation of the Coordinated Entry system; Share responsibility for generating and updating Resource Guides and other information and referral materials; Convene and facilitate meetings for the Cambridge CoC, including CoC Board, Homeless Services Planning Committee and various subcommittees; Work with non-HUD funded agencies to promote CoC membership and Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) usage; Work collaboratively with HMIS lead staff to enforce data quality standards; Engage community of providers in establishing and tracking formal performance goals, including project and system level performance; Review data quality measures and outcomes to aid in performance management and in project review and selection process; Research and review best practices and evidence-based programs relevant to provision of homeless services; Represent the CoC in a variety of settings and meetings and conduct outreach to increase engagement with community stakeholders; Attend additional meetings of related local, regional and state committees/task forces as requested. Data Collection and Reporting Responsibilities: Conduct and oversee the annual Point in Time Homeless Count to ensure compliance with federal reporting requirements defined by HUD; Utilize the HMIS database to analyze data and produce required project and system-level reports; Enter data using HUD's e-Snaps and HDX (Homeless Data Exchange) platforms and any additional software released relevant to this position; Maintain citywide data and information related to the scope of homelessness or near homelessness in Cambridge. Provide such information to funders, decision makers, service providers and to the community as requested; Annual CoC Application Process Responsibilities: Manage and coordinate the annual competitive application process for CoC Program funds; Work with CoC and departmental leadership to define funding priorities and strategies; Provide limited technical support to applicants; Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor's degree in related field or 5 years relevant work experience required. Experience working with HUD a plus. Proficiency in personal computer skills such as Microsoft Office Suite; Past success in community organizing and facilitation of working groups; Strong familiarity with Cambridge community, service systems and the various types of local, state and federal funding sources for housing and homeless services; Proven ability to manage shifting priorities, multiple projects and meet deadlines; Ability to read and interpret HUD and other pertinent federal regulations and effectively disseminate related information; Excellent written and verbal communication skills; Strong analytic skills; Ability to adhere and commit to established workplace behavioral guidelines. The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse.Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies. WORK ENVIRONMENT: Most work takes place in an office setting with fluorescent lighting, carpeted floors, and air conditioning. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Ability to use typical office equipment in an office setting; ability to travel to other local offices and surrounding agencies. BENEFITS SUMMARY: Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance Vacation and Sick leave eligible Sick Incentive Pay Eligible 3 Personal days 14 Paid Holidays Management Allowance, $2,700/year RATE: $65,419-$79,607 plus excellent benefits APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Internal applicants submit a job bidding form and 2 copies of both your resume and cover letter; external applicants submit both your resume and cover letter via email to: employmentcambridgema.gov or to the Personnel Department, Room 309, City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge MA 02139. Fax 617-349-4312. Resume and cover letter of interest requested by 05/24/22. Position will remain open until filled. THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, SEX, RELIGION, AGE, NATIONAL ORIGIN, DISABILITY OR ANY OTHER PROTECTED CATEGORY. WOMEN, MINORITIES, VETERANS, MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY, AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. CITY OF CAMBRIDGE RESIDENTS ARE ESPECIALLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. AUXILIARY AIDS AND SERVICES, WRITTEN MATERIALS IN ALTERNATIVE FORMATS, AND REASONABLE MODIFICATIONS IN POLICIES AND PROCEDURES WILL BE PROVIDED TO QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES FREE OF CHARGE, UPON REQUEST. The City is committed to advancing a workforce culture of antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. PDN-9628aead-9d63-49a2-8ee8-6adfe464ccf9

Keywords: City of Cambridge, Cambridge , Homeless Services Continuum of Care (CoC) Planner, Planning & Development, Other , Cambridge, Massachusetts