Housing Navigator

J  o  b    D  e  s  c  r  i  p  t  i  o  n

Job Information

Title:

Housing Navigator

Market Range:

MR15

Approved Date:

2/16/2021 8:08:04 AM

FLSA:

Non-Exempt

EEO Code:

PROFESSIONALS

Career Level:

P1

Career Level Description:

Professional Level 1

Job Code:

100427

Job Family:

Social Services

Sub Family:

Housing Services

Primary Purpose

Serves as the lead housing expert for the Housing Resource Team and works to build/maintain positive relationships between landlords, team, current tenants, and prospective tenants.  The Housing Navigator fills a central role in linking participants to an appropriate housing plan and supporting the team in sustaining placements. The end goal for the Housing Navigator is to facilitate rapid and resourced entry into permanent housing and provides participant advocacy, case management, benefits establishment, linkage to Mental Health and/or Substance Use Services, linkage to stable housing, and all other supportive services as needed.

•

Serves at the lead housing expert for the Housing Resource Team;  Supports workers and participant’s progression through all facets of their housing search and stabilization plan; Creates and maintains lists of available housing options; Assists participants with housing applications; Completes subsidized housing paperwork, and surveys rental market for affordable housing; Acts as a liaison between various housing authorities/landlords and social workers/participants; Gains knowledge of the rules and regulations of various housing programs; Recruits and trains potential landlords for shared living arrangements.

1

20%

•

Provides rehousing services and/or mediation between the program participant and the owner or person(s) where the program participant is living, provides the mediation necessary to prevent the program participant from losing the permanent housing in which the program participant currently resides-- negotiating with landlords regarding late payments, damage or lease violations, consulting with legal services staff regarding actions to prevent evictions, negotiating with host-guest households and families/partners experiencing conflict to find compromise solutions to domestic problems, requesting mediation services for more serious conflict with client permission.

2

20%

•

Works to identify local landlords to secure housing units, negotiate rental rates, maintain landlord relationships, and processes rental assistance paperwork for payment.

3

20%

•

Refers clients to community resources for services, such as job placement, debt counseling, legal aid, housing, medical treatment, or financial assistance, and provide concrete information, such as where to go and how to apply; provides counseling and information to individuals regarding additional community resources they may need and want; maintains required data and HMIS documentation on all cases, monitoring and evaluation of client progress.

4

10%

•

Conducts Housing Quality Inspections and participates in lease negotiations and lease signings.

5

10%

•

Teaches Ready to Rent Tenant-based Education Workshops and conducts housing information sessions.

6

10%

•

Participates in and prepares for weekly meetings including staff meetings, case conferencing and other related meetings and provides regular feedback to Housing Resource Team.

7

5%

•

Engages effectively and constructively with Supervisor to handle client concerns/issues as needed; Provides recommendations for policy/procedural changes for case management.

8

5%

Position(s) may perform other duties in addition to the above as assigned by management.

*IMPORTANT* In the event of an emergency, as determined by the County Manager or designee, participation in preparedness and response operations should be expected. Employee may be required to fill a temporary assignment in a role different from standard duties, work hours and/or work location in preparation for, during and after the emergency. Employee may also be required to participate in relevant exercises and regular preparedness training.

Career Level Dimensions

Career Level:

P1

Career Level Description:

Professional Level 1

•

Works on small, routine projects or task-related activities that have some impact on the overall the Work Group.

•

Work is closely supervised.

•

Responsible for making minor changes in systems and processes to solve problems.

•

Identifies, defines and addresses problems that are not complex. Problems are typically within the immediate Work Group.

•

Communicates within or outside of the Work Group to provide information about policies, procedures, or analyses.

•

N/A – Jobs at this level are focused on self-development.

•

Requires basic, theoretical understanding of professional principles and skills, typically obtained through advanced education.

Qualifications

•

Bachelor's degree

•

No specific experience required

•

Equivalent education and experience are accepted

•

Master's Degree

Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or related discipline.

•

2 Years

Work experience with case management services, housing, and homeless populations.

•

CPR - Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation

Within 60 Days

•

FIRSTAID - First Aid

Within 60 Days

•

Health Services\LCSW- License Clinical Social Worker

LCSW

Upon Hire

•

Excellent interpersonal and emotional intelligence skills required. Positive attitude and resiliency. Must be able to regularly interact effectively and empathically with all constituents of diverse backgrounds and in various states of tension. 

•

Excellent Initiative and ability to proactively identify challenges. Must have a solutions based approach to challenges. Must be able to manage and de-escalate problem situations successfully. 

•

Strong and timely data entry, management, and reporting skills.  

•

Strong administrative, adaptive and organizational skills. Strong attention to detail and ability to produce excellent and timely quality work is required. Ability to successfully multi-task, prioritize, or alter methodology in a fast paced and ever changing work environment. 

•

Excellent written and verbal communication skills required. Candidate must be able to consistently, regularly, effectively and clearly communicate with Samaritan House constituents of diverse backgrounds and in various arenas of business. The ability to present information in small or large group settings. 

•

Excellent initiative and ability to work independently and to successfully collaborate with teams. Resourceful and solutions-based approach to challenges ability to identify and resolve issues without direction when needed. Solutions based approach to all business.

•

Familiarity with the resources available in the community and surrounding neighborhood of identified housing.

An individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily to perform this job successfully. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Competencies

Adaptability & Flexibility

Changes behavioral style or method of approach when necessary to achieve a goal; adjusts style as appropriate to the needs of the situation. Responds to change with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn new ways to accomplish work activities and objectives.

Attention to Detail

Thoroughness in accomplishing a task through concern for all the areas involved, no matter how small. Monitors and checks work or information and plans and organizes time and resources efficiently.

Customer Service

Balances interests of a variety of clients, and readily readjusts priorities to respond effectively to pressing and changing demands for information, advice and assistance.  Anticipates and meets the needs of clients; achieves quality end products; and commits to continuous improvement of services.

Initiative

Does more than is required or expected in the job; does things that no one has requested that will improve or enhance products and services, avoid problems, or develop entrepreneurial opportunities. Plans ahead for upcoming problems or opportunities and takes appropriate action.

Professionalism

Thinks carefully about the likely effects on others of one's words, actions, appearance, and mode of behavior. Selects the words or actions most likely to have the desired effect on the individual or group in question. Maintains calmness in stressful or adverse situations. Diplomatically handles challenging or tense interpersonal situations.

Team Leadership

Willingly cooperates and works collaboratively toward solutions that generally benefit all involved parties; works cooperatively with others to accomplish organizational objectives. Manages staff in ways that improve their ability to succeed on the job.

Integrity

Act with honesty, transparency and respect in our interactions with co-workers and those we serve. Adhere, without exception, to laws, policies, procedures and professional standards.

Accountability

Establish high-quality standards for work. Add value. Measure results and hold self and others accountable for making progress toward desired outcomes. Take a logical and data-driven approach to decision-making.

Diversity

Believe that different backgrounds and experiences strengthen the organization and produce better results. Value inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity and experience, and strive to reflect in our workforce the diversity of our community.

Collaboration

Foster a work culture in which different ideas and opinions are encouraged and expected. Listen carefully and speak thoughtfully. Work together toward shared goals with mutual respect and cooperation.

Continuous Improvement

Continuously improve work processes and products. Provide a safe environment to be innovative and creative and try new things. When things don't go as planned, use it as an opportunity to learn, regroup and begin again. Provide time and resources for individuals to grow and develop both personally and professionally.

Wellness

Take proactive steps to be physically fit and healthy, emotionally strong, financially secure and socially fulfilled, while inspiring and empowering others to do the same.

Service Orientation

Commit to making a difference within the community. Actively engage in and enjoy our work. Deliver services that exceed expectations, with courtesy, politeness and sensitivity to the experiences, concerns and feelings of all co-workers and customers.

ADA Checklist

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Standard ADA Selection:

Office Environment

Standing

X

Walking

X

Sitting

X

Lifting/Carrying 0-10 pounds

X

Lifting/Carrying 10-20 pounds

X

Lifting/Carrying 20-50 pounds

X

Lifting/Carrying 50-100 pounds

X

Pushing

X

Pulling

X

Climbing

X

Balancing

X

Stooping

X

Kneeling

X

Crouching

X

Crawling

X

Reaching

X

Handling

X

Grasping

X

Fingering

X

Feeling

X

Talking

X

Hearing

X

Visual Perception

X

Repetitive Motions

X

Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination

X

Memorization/Concentration

X

Learning/Knowledge Retention

X

Preparing/Analyzing Numerical Figures

X

Use of Interfaced Commmunication Devices (Phone, Computer, Radio etc.)

X

Analyzing/Examining/Testing Data

X

Emotional/Behavioral Self-Regulation

X

Interacting with Others

X

Comprehension

X

Organization

X

Decision Making

X

Comprehension

Understand and apply routine verbal and/or written instructions

Organization

Organize and prioritize individual work schedule to manage multiple tasks and/or projects

Decision Making

Make decisions that have an impact on the immediate work unit's operations and/or services

Communication

Communicate and explain a variety of information

Extreme cold

X

Extreme heat

X

Humid

X

Wet

X

Noise

X

Hazards

X

Temperature Change

X

Atmospheric Conditions

X

Vibration

X

Computers/Monitors

X