Careers at Swords

Summary:

Swords to Plowshares seeks qualified applicants for the position of On-Call Program Monitor to attend and assist the activities of residents after regular program hours. This position is usually scheduled for evening and overnight shifts. The successful applicant will bring experience working with “hard to serve,” substance abuse, and mental health clients in a human service agency. This position is located at the Swords to Plowshares transitional residences on Treasure Island and in the Ingleside neighborhood of San Francisco. The On-Call Program Monitor reports to the Residential Programs Clinical Manager.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Ability to work independently with minimal direct supervisions.
• Managing the program environment after regular program hours. (Shifts may include overnight or weekends.)
• Crisis Intervention and de-escalation.
• The ability to recognize relapse behavior
• Documentation, i.e. Incident Reports and Log Book entries
• Good communication skills and the ability to interact productively with residents and staff
• Urinalysis
• Quality Assurance
• Clerical duties, i.e. photo copying and assembling charts, etc
• Ability to drive clients as needed, pick up meals for the special needs clients and maintain good working relationships with the food service staff
• Perform comparable related duties as required by management
• Bachelor Degree in behavioral science preferred. Associates Degree. High School diploma or GED considered with experience

The ideal candidate will have:

• Minimum of three (3) years experience working with “hard to serve”, substance abuse and mental health clients, with at least one (1) year in a human service agency.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques
• Ability to work independently with minimal direct supervision
• Ability to engage clients.
• Crisis intervention de-escalation and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to recognize relapse behavior
• Good written and verbal skills
• Listening skills
• Ability to be a team player
• Computer literacy that includes the ability to conduct data entry tasks, email, access web based portals for information, logs, time keeping, and/or communication logs
• Must have reliable transportation
• Employee must be able to perform essential job functions within reasonable accommodation

Salary, Benefits:

Swords to Plowshares offers competitive compensation.

To Apply:
(no calls please)

Summary:

We seek qualified applicants for the position of On-Call Desk Clerk.  The desk clerk is the gatekeeper to the Residences - enforcing Swords to Plowshares’ policies to ensure safe, decent housing for tenants. desk clerks monitor daily building activities, provide 24-hour security, and respond to building and tenant emergencies. As the first point of contact for visitors to our properties, desk clerks are required to exhibit professional, courteous and respectful conduct to tenants and building guests, enforcing property rules while creating a welcoming environment. The position is supervised by the Resident Property Manager. This position is located at either the Swords to Plowshares Veterans Academy in the San Francisco Presidio, or the Veterans Commons Housing Program at 150 Otis Street, San Francisco.

Responsibilities:

• Follow all rules and procedures outlined in the Swords Personnel Policy Manual, and Swords to Plowshares House Rules
• Follow new and revised procedures as developed and distributed.
• Monitor daily common area activities of building residents and guests.
• Maintain building security.
• Screen all visitors to the building.
• Maintain complete and accurate building logs, records, journals - visitor log, overnight log, daily log, etc.
• Respond to building emergencies in compliance with the Property Management manual.
• Treat tenants with respect and dignity-showing courteous behavior and patience.
• Assist tenants in completing work orders, incident reports and complaints.
• Assist the Building Manager with administrative tasks as directed.
• Maintain a clean and presentable work area, building entry and lobby.
• Accurately complete incident reports and complaints
• Attend Swords all-staff meetings and scheduled desk clerk meetings unless prohibited by work schedule.

Requirements:

• Willingness to learn and follow directions
• Good humored, courteous and professional; even under pressure.
• Organized, with attention to detail.
• Ability to remain calm and responsible during emergencies.
• An understanding of and ability to communicate with diverse types of people.
• Ability to be a part of a team.
• Commitment to helping formerly homeless people to regain and maintain their independence.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Applicants are encouraged to learn basic computer word processing and databases, etc.
• Ability to appropriately respond to and resolve conflict.
• Applicants with de-escalation and conflict resolution training recognized.
• An understanding of and experience working with issues of homelessness and recovery issues.
• Must be able to sit & stand for prolonged periods.
• Must be able to lift 25lbs
• Must be able to perform all functions of the position within what would be deemed a reasonable accommodation.

To Apply:
(no calls please)

Summary:

Swords to Plowshares seeks a full-time, exempt Property Manager to oversee all aspects of the designated Supportive Housing property’s daily operations, ensuring safe and supportive living conditions for residents and a positive work environment for staff. The Property Manager is responsible for ensuring the building and its operations comply with funding agency regulations with particular emphasis on those governing the operation of low income housing tax credit facilities. The Property Manager maintains an environment of respect and service, while ensuring that tenants abide by the house rules and lease terms and is also responsible for monitoring the physical integrity of the building and for working with maintenance staff to address any deficiencies. This position supervises an operations team which may include Desk Clerks, Janitorial and Maintenance employees.

All residents of this property are formerly homeless veterans with disabilities, including mental illness.

A key and vital aspect of success in this position will be the Property Manager’s working relationship with on-site Support Services staff. Support Services staff include Swords to Plowshares employees and those from other agencies including the Dept. of Veteran Affairs, who work with residents in order to help them maintain residential stability. The Property Manager is a key member of the team that ensures that the facility meets its mission of providing permanent exits from homelessness for veterans with disabling conditions,

This position reports to the Director of Property Management.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Property Management

• Oversee all aspects of the building daily operations, ensuring safe living conditions for residents
• Monitor the property, daily, for safety hazards
• Schedule repairs & necessary improvements in consultation with supervisor
• Responsible for complying with all guidelines, procedures, and regulations of all applicable regulatory agencies
• Create/manage files for all residents and maintain integrity of applicant waiting list in compliance with all applicable regulatory agencies procedures
• Process paperwork for applications, move-ins, move-outs and certifications in compliance with regulatory agencies’ procedure
• Assist in the development, monitoring, and maintenance of building budget
• Complete annual and interim re-certifications and perform annual unit inspections
• Create and complete all regular reports including monthly vacancy report, monthly rent collection report, and maintenance reports.
• Collect rents and security deposits, and coordinate bank deposits
• Monitor site budget and report variances to supervisor
• Provide on-call response for building emergencies.

Tenant Relations

• Orient new residents to building site, policies and programs
• Ensure fair, consistent, and thorough enforcement of all “House Rules”, policies and procedures
• Maintain contact with support services staff and advocacy groups in the areas of housing retention, tenant safety, and quality of life
• Respond to resident complaints or grievances and provide problem resolution assistance
• Forward any reasonable accommodation requests and fair housing complaints in a timely fashion to Director of Residential Operations
• Execute and deliver late rent notices and legal notices in accordance with agency housing retention procedures
• Prepare tenant files for eviction procedures

Building Safety

• Conduct weekly building and property inspections with the Maintenance Staff
• Report regularly to supervisor on status of building, program, staff and residents
• Follow the organization’s and Property Management policies and procedures, including safe work practices
• Perform other duties as assigned

The ideal candidate will bring skills, experience and qualifications described below:

• A strong leader and team player who brings conflict-resolution skills and a calm problem solving response to crisis situations
• An understanding and sensitivity to the issues that face formerly homeless veteran residents with a range of disabilities and requires the practice of sound personnel and building management practices
• Ability to work in concert with Residential Programs clinical staff, partner organization staff, as well as non-Swords to Plowshares clinicians responsible for tenant welfare, in a manner that promotes the stability of all residents while ensuring building safety
• Commitment to a safe and pleasant working environment
• Pleasant and professional manner with calm disposition
• Ability to work with people of diverse social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds
• Ability to work independently and exercise own judgment in problem-solving
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, Outlook, and Boston Post property management software
• Willingness to perform varied tasks
• Employee must be able to perform all duties within what would be considered reasonable accommodations

Must be able to communicate effectively with a variety of personalities and be comfortable working with an at-risk client population, including embracing the agency’s Cultural Humility Initiative.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Five (5) years experience in residential property management and affordable housing
• Three (3) years experiencing working in a Supportive Housing or other Special Needs Housing environment
• Three (3) years prior supervisory experience
• Knowledge of affordable housing programs (i.e. HUD, Tax Credit, Section 8, MOH)
• Tax Credit Specialist (TCS), California Certified Residential Manager (CCRM) or other equivalent designations
• Basic knowledge of landlord tenant issues and conflict resolution.
• Knowledge of Fair Housing, ADA, and 504 compliance related issues
• Ability to interact with government agencies, other service providers, and the community
• Relevant AA degree or BA/BS in progress
• Excellent administrative, organizational and written/verbal communication skills
• Sensitivity to issues facing veterans, homeless, disabled, elderly, family and other diverse populations

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to maneuver throughout building, including stairs
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time
• Ability to lift 25 lbs
• Ability to function under stressful circumstances and emergency situations

Salary, Benefits:
Swords to Plowshares offers a competitive compensation package including benefits.

To Apply:
(no calls please)

Summary:

We seek candidates for the position of Housing Placement Specialist & Group Facilitator. This is a non-exempt, full-time position with two distinct functional areas: housing placement and group facilitation. This position reports to the Transitional Housing Program Manager.

The housing placement function includes the provision of housing referrals and placement services and long term monitoring and tracking of clients, including the proper collection and maintenance of data, and case management for veterans exiting the Special Needs component of our Transitional Housing program. Work in collaboration with the VA Medical Center staff to develop discharge strategies for up to 20 Chronically Mentally Ill veterans residing at our Treasure Island facility. Work to establish and expand housing resources, ensure the smooth transition into permanent housing and maintain a supportive relationship with the veteran to sustain permanent housing within the community. This function includes being a resource for staff regarding housing placements and applications.

The group facilitation function includes conducting group counseling for the residents of the Transitional Housing Program in the areas of life skills and substance abuse, completing the proper documentation of group activities and monitoring groups to ensure maximum effectiveness in achieving goals.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Knowledge of housing resources and the referral process.
• A working understanding of the readjustment problems of Vietnam-era veterans, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, alcohol and drug dependency and other mental health issues.
• Develop and maintain effective interface with community resources for advocacy and linkages to services assisting clients in achieving treatment goals.
• Case Management.
• Group facilitation and development.
• Maintain timely and appropriate documentation including progress notes, group notes, treatment plans, aftercare plans and discharge summaries.
• Knowledge of confidentiality requirements.
• Participation in weekly client update meetings, weekly case conferences and phase movement meetings and other meetings as required.
• Attend required trainings to ensure professional growth.
• Perform other related duties as required by the Clinical Coordinator, Program Director, Deputy Director and/or Executive Director.
• Employee must be able to perform all functions of this position within what would be deemed to be reasonable accommodations.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit for long periods of time.
• Ability to walk up and down stairs.
• Ability to travel to outreach community resources.

The ideal candidate will have:

• BA level of education in Behavioral Sciences or Social Sciences or experience equivalent with 2 years providing group facilitation with intensive case management skills
• Experience in housing interventions including money management, fiscal wreckage and community advocacy
• Minimum 3 years experience working with “hard to serve,” substance abuse and mental health clients.
• Engagement skills with mental health and substance abuse consumers.
• Crisis Intervention, de-escalation and conflict resolution skills.
• Good written and communication skills.
• Listening skills.
• Ability to recognize relapse behavior.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with a variety of personalities and be comfortable working with an at-risk client population, including embracing the agency’s Cultural Humility Initiative.
• Strong computer skills for database, internet, email.

Salary, Benefits:

Swords to Plowshares offers a competitive compensation package including benefits.

To Apply:
(no calls please)

Summary:

Swords to Plowshares seeks a full-time, non-exempt Peer Specialist who can provide supportive services to Special Needs clients in the residential program at Treasure Island. The key aspects of this position include supporting the achievement of client goals, peer support and client advocacy. The responsibilities include monitoring the activities of Special Needs residents during and after regular program hours, responding to emergencies, and completing appropriate documentation, including incident reports and log book entries, monitoring dinner and working with daytime treatment staff to facilitate treatment and identify resident issues. This position reports to the Transitional Housing Program Manager. The schedule for this position is noon to 8PM, Monday through Friday.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Provide peer counseling to formerly homeless chronically mentally ill dual and triple diagnosed veterans, referrals and advocacy.
• Facilitate peer groups twice weekly after regular program hours.
• Facilitate an aftercare support group after regular program hours.
• Accompany Special Needs veterans to and from their appointments.
• Familiar with supervisory responsibilities and goals of clinical supervision.
• Assist with aftercare follow-up and monitoring of Special Needs clients after they have left the program.
• Facilitate Vet-to-Vet groups and help train new Vet-to-Vet group facilitators.
• Provide assistance with meal program for special needs clients including transport of meals and delivery
• Provide additional staffing for recreational activities and outings.
• Provide support for Special Needs veterans waiting to gain admittance into the program.
• Monitor and engage Special Needs residents after regular program hours to respond to, assess, or report any identified issues requiring attention.
• Provide substance abuse services.
• Communicate effectively with daytime treatment staff to ensure the well-being of Special Needs clients.
• Develop and maintain effective interface with community resources for advocacy and linkage to services assisting clients in achieving stated treatment goals.
• Response to emergencies including incident reports, log book entries and the notification of supervisory staff.
• Monitor activities of residents after program hours.
• Attend required meetings and submit reports in a timely manner.
• Perform other related duties assigned by supervisory personnel.
• Employee must be able to perform all essential job requirements and responsibilities within what would be considered reasonable accommodation.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience in a treatment environment of veterans with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders.
• A working understanding of the readjustment problems of Vietnam-era veterans, mental health, alcohol and other drug dependencies and homelessness.
• Experience facilitating or participating in Vet to Vet group counseling and in areas of dual and triple diagnosis, life skills and substance abuse issues.
• Experience in crisis intervention that includes assessing relapse behavior.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and with supervision.
• Ability to engage clients while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a team member.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with a variety of personalities and be comfortable working with an at-risk client population, including embracing the agency’s Cultural Humility Initiative.
• Strong computer skills for working on databases, email, internet

Schedule:
Noon – 8PM Monday – Friday

Salary, Benefits:
Swords to Plowshares offers a competitive compensation package including benefits.

To Apply:
(no calls please)

Summary:

Swords to Plowshares seeks qualified applicants for the position of an On-Call Program Monitor to attend and assist the activities of residents after regular program hours. This position is usually scheduled for evening and overnight shifts. The successful applicant will bring experience working with “hard to serve,” substance abuse, and mental health clients in a human service agency. This position is located at the Swords to Plowshares transitional residences on Treasure Island and in the Ingleside neighborhood of San Francisco. The On-Call Program Monitor reports to the Residential Programs Clinical Manager.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Ability to work independently with minimal direct supervisions.
• Managing the program environment after regular program hours. (Shifts may include overnight or weekends.)
• Crisis Intervention and de-escalation.
• The ability to recognize relapse behavior
• Documentation, i.e. Incident Reports and Log Book entries
• Good communication skills and the ability to interact productively with residents and staff
• Urinalysis
• Quality Assurance
• Clerical duties, i.e. photo copying and assembling charts, etc
• Ability to drive clients as needed, pick up meals for the special needs clients and maintain good working relationships with the food service staff
• Perform comparable related duties as required by management
• Bachelor Degree in behavioral science preferred. Associates Degree. High School diploma or GED considered with experience

The ideal candidate will have:

• Minimum of three (3) years experience working with “hard to serve”, substance abuse and mental health clients, with at least one (1) year in a human service agency.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques
• Ability to work independently with minimal direct supervision
• Ability to engage clients.
• Crisis intervention de-escalation and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to recognize relapse behavior
• Good written and verbal skills
• Listening skills
• Ability to be a team player
• Computer literacy that includes the ability to conduct data entry tasks, email, access web based portals for information, logs, time keeping, and/or communication logs
• Must have reliable transportation
• Employee must be able to perform essential job functions within reasonable accommodation
• Must be able to communicate effectively with a variety of personalities and be comfortable working with an at-risk client population, including embracing the agency’s Cultural Humility Initiative.

Salary, Benefits:
Swords to Plowshares offers a competitive compensation package.

To Apply:
(no calls please)

Summary:
Our legal services include free assistance to veterans who seek Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare, disability compensation, and pension; we also specialize in military discharge reviews and upgrades for veterans who received less than fully Honorable discharges.

We are a small, collegial staff. We seek students who are dynamic, creative, and highly motivated. We are open to pursuing post-graduate fellowship applications with interns. We have successfully received Equal Justice Works and Skadden fellowships.

Roles and Responsibilities:
Under attorney supervision, law clerks will engage in legal and factual research, write legal memoranda, interview potential clients and assess eligibility for services, draft briefs, create and update self-help materials, and assist clients in obtaining public benefits. Opportunities may also be available to do policy work with Swords’ Institute of Veterans Policy (IVP).

Committment:

• Semester clerkships for academic credit run concurrently with law school calendars; a minimum of 15 hours per week is required.
• Summer clerkships are unpaid, full-time (40 hours per week), and last for ten weeks.

The ideal candidate will have the following attributes:
Required:

• Demonstrated experience with or sensitivity to the needs of homeless and disabled veteran populations, particularly “hard to reach/ hard to serve” populations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a high degree of accuracy in all work.
• Strong research skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Commitment to the mission of Swords to Plowshares.

Preferred:

• Veteran preferred, or demonstrated familiarity with VA and veteran issues.
• Experience with administrative, military, or veterans law.
• Completion of Administrative Law course.
• Familiarity with administrative office procedures and legal case management software.

Working Conditions:
This position requires extended periods of sitting at a desk/computer station, meeting with clients, and doing administrative work such as data entry, photocopying, word processing, etc. It also requires performing some tasks outside the office, such as attendance at meetings, or to the VA for hearings or file reviews. Law clerks must be able to perform all essential job requirements and responsibilities within what would be considered reasonable accommodation.

Deadline:  Applications are due no later than Monday, June 3, 2013.

To Apply:
Please submit a cover letter detailing your interest in Swords to Plowshares along with a resume, legal writing sample, and list of three references. (no calls please)

Summary:

Swords to Plowshares seeks On-Call Home Healthcare Aides to provide in-home support services to frail elderly residents in a nurturing and caring manner. This is an on-call position to fill in for regular staff. The hours of this position will vary. This position reports to the Clinical Director for Residential Programs.

Roles and Responsibilities:
Provides elderly residents with training and assistance with personal skills and care such as:

• Taking daily vitals, e.g. blood pressure, blood sugar
• Hygiene
• Clothing care
• Mobility
• Taking medications
• Managing money
• Meal preparation and household maintenance
• Hygiene
• Clothing care
• Mobility
• Taking medications
• Managing money
• Meal preparation
• Household maintenance

Assists with:

• Transportation
• Making and meeting medical and other appointments
• Other tasks of daily living as needed

The ideal candidate will have:

• C.N.A. Certification in elder care
• Compassionate and patient nature
• Clean DMV -- driving an 8 passenger van is often required.
• Must pass public record background check
• Fluent conversational English.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Mature sense of judgment and problem solving ability.
• Ability to interact productively with residents and staff
• Ability to engage residents.
• High School diploma, Associate Degree preferred
• Some bending and lifting as individual situations require
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds without distress.
• Computer literacy is required
• Employee must be able to carry out the essential duties of the position within what can be considered reasonable accommodation

To Apply:
Please include a cover letter explaining your interest in Swords to Plowshares, where/how you found out about this career opportunity, and your salary requirements (no calls please).