ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:
The Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) creates and coordinates services that enhance the quality of life for Cambridge residents. Driven by the needs of residents, DHSP’s extensive services and programs touch almost every sector in the city: from newborns to senior citizens, from school-aged children to homeless families, from non-profit organizations to local employers.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The City of Cambridge seeks a Homeless Services Continuum of Care (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 community partners. The planner will work in partnership with City and community-based providers and collaborators 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 individuals and families experiencing or at-risk of homelessness, 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.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Continuum of Care Responsibilities:

• Communicate and collaborate with broad range of nonprofit agencies, City departments and other partners 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 and various subcommittees;
• Work with non-HUD funded agencies to promote CoC participation and collaboration and Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) usage;
• Work collaboratively with and support HMIS lead staff to enforce data quality standards;
• Engage community of providers and people with lived experience in homelessness and/or housing insecurity 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;
• Actively engage in and support the Department’s Race and Equity Initiative;
• Represent the CoC in a variety of settings and meetings and conduct outreach to increase engagement with community partners;
• Maintain CoC website and coordinate newsletter content and distribution;
•  Attend additional meetings of related local, regional and state committees/task forces as requested;
• Other duties as assigned.

Data Collection and Reporting Responsibilities:

• Conduct and oversee the annual Point-in-Time 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;
• Data entry and reporting 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 in Cambridge.
  

Annual CoC Application Process Responsibilities:

• Manage and coordinate the annual competitive application process for CoC Program funds;
• Work with CoC providers 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:

Experience and Education:

•  Past success in community organizing and facilitation of working groups;
•  Experience drafting communication content and presentations;
• Bachelor’s degree in related field or 3 years relevant work experience required;
• Experience working with HUD a plus. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

•  Proficiency in personal computer skills such as Microsoft Office Suite;
• 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 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.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, WORKING CONDITIONS, WORK FLEXIBILITY AND ACCOMODATIONS:

• Standard office environment. Fluorescent lighting and air conditioning. Some offices may be carpeted. Moderate noise level.
• Ability to travel to other local offices and surrounding agencies.
• This position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City’s Telework Policy depending on operational needs.
•  Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:

• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Vacation and Sick leave eligible
• Paid parental leave
• Sick Incentive Pay Eligible
• 3 Personal days
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Management Allowance, $2,700/year    
• City employee commuter benefits (T-Pass reimbursement Bluebikes membership, EZRide Shuttle membership)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the following documents to complete your application:

•  Resume
• Cover Letter

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