Brookdale Resource Center
Client Service Specialist
Location: Macon, GA
Non-Profit Shelter Status: Full-Time or Part-Time
Reports To: Shelter Manager/Program Director
Position Overview
The Client Service Specialist provides direct support and assistance to shelter clients while ensuring a safe, clean, and supportive environment. This position is responsible for client intake and discharge, monitoring daily shelter activities, providing crisis intervention, maintaining documentation, and connecting clients with resources and supportive services.
The ideal candidate is compassionate, dependable, organized, and able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
Essential Functions
- Greet and assist clients, visitors, and community partners in a professional and respectful manner
- Complete client intake, orientation, and discharge procedures according to agency policies
- Monitor shelter operations and client activities to ensure safety and compliance with shelter rules
- Maintain accurate and timely client records, incident reports, shift logs, and service documentation
- Provide crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and de-escalation support when necessary
- Assist clients with accessing community resources, transportation, employment, healthcare, housing, and other supportive services
- Conduct routine room checks and facility walkthroughs
- Respond to emergencies and follow agency emergency procedures
- Assist with distribution of meals, hygiene products, linens, and other supplies
- Maintain cleanliness and organization of common areas as needed
- Answer phones and respond to general inquiries
- Work collaboratively with case managers, program staff, volunteers, and community partners
- Protect the confidentiality of client and agency information
- Attend required staff meetings and trainings
- Perform additional duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Education & Experience
- High school diploma or GED required
- Associate degree or coursework in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, or related field preferred
- Experience in a shelter, non-profit, customer service, behavioral health, or social services setting preferred
- Experience working with vulnerable populations strongly preferred
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to work effectively with diverse populations
- Ability to remain calm in stressful or crisis situations
- Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles preferred
- Strong organizational and documentation skills
- Basic computer proficiency including Microsoft Office and data entry
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, and move throughout the facility during shifts
- Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds
- Ability to respond quickly in emergency situations
Work Environment & Schedule
- Shelter environment operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Schedule may include evenings, weekends, overnight shifts, and holidays
- Full-time and part-time schedules available
Benefits (Full-Time Eligible Employees)
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Paid time off and holidays
- Retirement plan options
- Employee assistance program
- Professional development opportunities
Equal Opportunity Employer
The organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity at all levels of the organization. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.
Interested applicants please send a cover letter along with your resume to egibson@brookdalerc.org.
Brookdale Resource Center
ESG Outreach Specialist
Brookdale Resource Center (BRC)
Reports To: Program Manager
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Funding Source: Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Street Outreach Program
Position Summary
The ESG Outreach Specialist engages individuals and families experiencing unsheltered homelessness throughout Macon-Bibb County and surrounding service areas. The position is responsible for locating, engaging, assessing, and connecting homeless individuals to housing, shelter, healthcare, behavioral health services, employment resources, and other community supports.
The ESG Outreach Specialist serves as a bridge between individuals living in places not meant for human habitation and the programs and services designed to help them achieve housing stability. This position also supports ESG compliance by maintaining accurate client documentation, participating in HMIS data collection, and adhering to all DCA and HUD requirements
Street Outreach & Client Engagement
- Conduct outreach in encampments, streets, parks, wooded areas, abandoned properties, and other locations where unsheltered individuals may reside.
- Build trusting relationships with individuals experiencing homelessness through trauma-informed and person-centered engagement.
- Conduct preliminary needs assessments and identify immediate safety, housing, and service needs.
- Provide crisis intervention, information, referrals, and resource navigation.
- Assist clients in obtaining shelter, housing, identification documents, benefits, transportation, healthcare, and other essential resources.
- Distribute approved outreach supplies, including hygiene items, blankets, clothing, food, and other basic necessities.
Housing Navigation & Service Coordination
- Connect participants to emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, coordinated entry, behavioral health services, substance use treatment, employment services, and mainstream benefits.
- Assist participants in developing housing-focused service plans.
- Coordinate with BRC Case Managers and community partners to address participant barriers to housing stability.
- Support participant transportation to shelters, appointments, housing viewings, and community services as appropriate.
Documentation & Compliance
- Complete all required intake, assessment, and service documentation accurately and timely.
- Maintain participant files in accordance with ESG, HUD, HMIS, and agency requirements.
- Enter and update participant information in HMIS and other required data systems.
- Collect and maintain required eligibility and homelessness verification documentation.
- Participate in monitoring, audits, quality assurance reviews, and grant reporting activities.
- Ensure confidentiality and protection of participant information at all times.
Community Engagement & Partnerships
- Develop and maintain working relationships with shelters, law enforcement, hospitals, behavioral health providers, faith-based organizations, and community service agencies.
- Participate in community outreach events, resource fairs, and homeless response initiatives.
- Represent Brookdale Resource Center professionally within the community.
- Assist with cultivating community awareness of homelessness and available services.
Program Administration
- Attend required DCA ESG trainings, webinars, and staff meetings.
- Assist with collection of program performance data and success stories.
- Maintain outreach schedules, mileage logs, and other program records.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Associate degree in Human Services, Social Work, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Public Administration, or related field; bachelor's degree preferred.
- Two (2) years of experience in homeless services, outreach, case management, social services, behavioral health, or a related field.
- Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
- Experience working with vulnerable populations preferred.
- Ability to pass background screening requirements.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of homelessness, housing instability, and community resources.
- Ability to engage individuals experiencing crisis with empathy and professionalism.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Knowledge of trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and de-escalation techniques.
- Ability to work independently in community settings.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and case management databases.
- Ability to maintain accurate records and meet documentation deadlines.
Working Conditions
- Frequent travel throughout the community.
- Regular walking, standing, and outdoor work in varying weather conditions.
- Occasional evening or weekend outreach activities may be required.
- May encounter environments that present behavioral health, safety, or environmental challenges.
Performance Measures
- Number of individuals engaged through outreach activities.
- Timely and accurate HMIS data entry.
- Completion of required documentation and service records.
- Successful referrals and linkages to housing and supportive services.
- Compliance with ESG, HUD, and Brookdale Resource Center requirements.
- Participation in required trainings and community partnerships.
Interested applicants please send a cover letter along with your resume to egibson@brookdalerc.org.
Brookdale Resource Center
Opioid Program Coordinator
Department: Recovery Housing and Supportive Services
Reports To: Program Manager
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt (or Exempt, depending on organizational structure)
Position Summary
The Opioid Program Coordinator is responsible for coordinating and implementing Brookdale Resource Center's Opioid Recovery Housing Program. The Coordinator serves as the primary point of contact for participants enrolled in the program and provides recovery-focused support, participant engagement, service coordination, community outreach, and program monitoring. The position helps individuals affected by Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) access housing stabilization services, treatment resources, recovery support services, benefits, employment assistance, and healthcare resources while promoting long-term recovery and self-sufficiency. The Coordinator ensures compliance with program requirements, grant obligations, organizational policies, and quality assurance standards.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Participant Engagement and Recovery Support
- Conduct participant intake, eligibility screening, and assessments.
- Complete program admission documentation and enrollment activities.
- Develop individualized recovery and stabilization plans.
- Provide ongoing recovery coaching and participant support.
- Monitor participant progress toward recovery, housing, employment, and wellness goals.
- Facilitate relapse prevention education and recovery planning activities.
- Conduct weekly participant meetings and progress reviews.
- Promote participant accountability and compliance with program expectations.
- Assist participants with obtaining identification documents, benefits, healthcare, and community resources.
Program Coordination
- Coordinate participant referrals to treatment providers, behavioral health agencies, healthcare providers, and recovery support services.
- Maintain communication with treatment providers and community partners.
- Support Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) participants through coordination and referral activities.
- Monitor participant attendance and engagement in required recovery activities.
- Track participant outcomes and service utilization.
- Coordinate transportation and access to supportive services when available.
- Assist with discharge planning, transition planning, and housing placement activities.
Community Outreach and Partnership Development
- Build and maintain partnerships with local treatment providers, healthcare organizations, recovery agencies, reentry programs, and housing providers.
- Conduct outreach to referral sources throughout the service area.
- Represent Brookdale Resource Center at community meetings, coalition meetings, conferences, and outreach events.
- Educate community stakeholders regarding program eligibility, referral procedures, and available services.
- Promote awareness of opioid recovery resources throughout the community.
Documentation and Reporting
- Maintain accurate participant records and case notes.
- Enter participant information into HMIS and other required reporting systems.
- Complete monthly, quarterly, and annual grant reports.
- Track participant demographics, services, outcomes, and performance measures.
- Document incidents, participant concerns, overdoses, and relapse-related events in accordance with program policy.
- Ensure participant confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA, HMIS, and organizational requirements.
- Assist with program audits, monitoring visits, and quality assurance reviews.
Program Compliance and Safety
- Enforce Brookdale Resource Center policies and program requirements.
- Assist with room inspections and participant compliance monitoring.
- Support overdose response protocols and emergency procedures.
- Participate in safety planning and crisis intervention activities.
- Maintain compliance with grant requirements, opioid abatement funding standards, and organizational policies.
- Promote a safe, recovery-focused, and trauma-informed environment.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
- Associate's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Public Health, Criminal Justice, Counseling, Human Services Administration, or a related field preferred.
Experience
- Minimum of two years of experience working with individuals experiencing substance use disorders, homelessness, behavioral health challenges, or related populations.
- Experience in case management, recovery support, supportive housing, or community-based services preferred.
- Experience working with grant-funded programs strongly preferred.
Knowledge and Skills
- Knowledge of Opioid Use Disorder and evidence-based recovery practices.
- Understanding of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT).
- Knowledge of homelessness systems, housing navigation, and supportive services.
- Strong documentation and case management skills.
- Ability to build effective relationships with community partners.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to conduct outreach and public presentations.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and HMIS systems.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
Preferred Certifications
- Certified Peer Specialist (CPS)
- Certified Addiction Recovery Empowerment Specialist (CARES)
- Certified Recovery Coach
- Mental Health First Aid
- CPR/First Aid Certification
- Naloxone (Narcan) Administration Training
- Trauma-Informed Care Training
- De-escalation/Crisis Intervention Training
Physical Requirements
- Ability to travel within the service area.
- Ability to participate in community outreach events.
- Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
- Ability to work occasional evenings or weekends as required by program activities.
Interested applicants please send a cover letter along with your resume to egibson@brookdalerc.org.