Problem Solving Specialist

About the organization

Compass Family Services is a 100+ year old nonprofit working on the front lines of San Francisco’s homeless crisis. We provide families experiencing or at risk of homelessness with comprehensive support to address immediate needs and ensure long-term success.

Central City Access Point is a direct entry point for any San Francisco family experiencing homelessness. We provide families with housing problem‑solving support, and with connection to homelessness prevention, shelter and housing programs through San Francisco’s Coordinated Entry System.

$27-31 per hour

Full time, Monday - Friday, primarily during standard working hours

37 Grove St, San Francisco

• Accountable I Adaptable I Client-centered I Collaborative I Committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging I Resourceful

The Housing Problem Solving Specialist works directly with families experiencing a housing crisis. This includes assessing families’ needs and resources, explaining how the homeless response system works, exploring available housing and shelter options, and providing resources and referrals.

• Offer problem‑solving support to families so they can maintain their current housing or quickly secure a safe place to stay. Problem‑solving approaches are trauma‑informed and strengths‑based. This might include mapping of personal networks and resources, motivational interviewing, conflict resolution, and/or mediation.
• Assess families’ eligibility for San Francisco’s Homelessness Response System, which includes shelter, rental subsidies, and permanent supportive housing. Help families understand how the system works, and whether and how they can access it.
• Provide families with referrals for emergency overnight shelters, food and other basic needs, and all other relevant resources.
• Maintain up to date information about families in both Compass’ Salesforce database and the city‑wide ONE System.
• Once a family is matched with a housing opportunity, offer support to facilitate the connection and ensure that they are able to take advantage of it.
• Assess and de‑escalate potentially volatile situations.
• Advocate for clients in their search for stable, long‑term housing.
• Participate in community events and mobile and community outreach efforts.

• Relevant experience in social work or a related field
• Experience working with families in crisis
• Excellent interpersonal, listening and communication skills
• Strong computer skills with proficiency in Outlook, Word, Excel, and Power Point
• Ability to assess and de‑escalate potentially volatile situations
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging work
• Bilingual Spanish, Cantonese or Mandarin preferred but not required

• Salary range: $27 - $31 per hour based on experience, languages spoken and education.
• 7.5 hours per day / 37.5 hours per week. Non‑exempt.
• Paid time off: 4 weeks of vacation the first year, 5 weeks in following year. Also paid holidays, sick time, family leave, time off for education.
• Insurance: health, dental and vision insurance are fully covered by Compass for employees and dependent children. We also provide long term disability and life insurance.
• Retirement: after one year of work, Compass contributes an amount equal to 5% of your salary into a retirement account; this vests during years 2-6.
• Membership in OPEIU/Local 29 union.

• The Housing Problem Solving Specialist will primarily work at our main office at 37 Grove St., less than one block from Civic Center BART/Muni. After three months, they may have the option to work remotely one day per week pending manager approval.

Please apply through our online application. No phone calls, please.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively seek to recruit a diverse workforce. Employees must embrace the idea…