General Statement of Duties The Housing and Employment Navigator ensures the procurement and organization of safe, hygienic, and cost-effective housing, in addition to facilitating sustainable employment opportunities for individuals facing homelessness.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Conduct ongoing outreach to current and potential landlords and property managers, building strong working relationships with the goal of increasing access to housing for individuals and families and to coordinate client home repair requests as needed. Identify and secure safe, sanitary, and affordable housing for SafeHouse Outreach clients in compliance with established program requirements. Conduct ongoing outreach to current and potential employment managers, fostering strong connections to secure and sustain employment opportunities for SafeHouse Outreach clients. Attend job fairs and other collaborate functions that caters to the under employed, hard to employ, and unskilled/under-skilled individuals. Complete, revise/revamp resumes and assist clients with employment applications. Assist clients with implementation of job search strategies. Train clients on soft and life skills. Collaborate effectively with coworkers and partner organizations to support a positive housing and employment experience. Coordinate logistics of housing set-ups including ordering furniture and supplies and arranging delivery, arranging utility hook-ups, facilitating lease signings and renewals, arranging payments, and conducting home safety inspections. Provide mediation and advocacy with landlords on the client's behalf to develop a workable plan to obtain and or maintain housing. May occasionally inspect units, evaluates units for occupancy to determine if the units meet with Housing Quality Standards, the reasonableness of rent charged, and negotiates rent amounts with owners as needed or when inspector is not available Create and maintain consistent communication channels, both verbal and written, between several parties (i.e. tenant, landlord, referral source, collaborating agencies, debtors and creditors). Serve as an ongoing liaison between property managers and participants and between them and neighbors. Provide accurate, complete, and timely data, and reports to Program Manager as needed; Record data for program outcomes; and ensure client files are complete, accurate and up to date. Ensure client confidentiality according to SafeHouse Outreach policies and procedures Other Functions Complete all appropriate monthly and annual report forms. Maintain a complete working file providing activity documentation and copies of all corresponding paperwork. Assume other responsibilities as assigned. Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Requires knowledge of "Housing First" philosophy and strategies. Must have knowledge of Housing Choice Voucher, Leasing, supportive employment, and community capacity building. Excellent communication skills, particularly listening, mediation, and writing skills. Possess strong organizational skills with ability to meet a demanding workload. Demonstrated knowledge of community resources, social service agencies, and landlords. Experience with computers and knowledge of Microsoft Office. Valid driver's license and exemplary MVR. Sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of population served. The ability to work collaboratively with other personnel and/or service providers or professionals. The capacity to maintain a role to empower clients and to intervene appropriately to meet service goals. Education/Experience : 2-3 years of work experience in public administration, education, community/regional planning, human services or social/ behavioral science, or undergraduate degree in a related field. Two or more years of experience working with people in extreme poverty or experience homelessness. Bachelor's degree in social work preferred.
