Job Title: Housing Navigator
Department: Integrated Health
Location: Ukiah, CA
Status: One (1) Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Hours: 40 hours per week Salary: $19.95 - $24.15 per hour DOE / Additional Differentials Must Qualify Open Date: October 23, 2024 Close Date: Open until filled
Pay Differentials Offered (must qualify through testing or verification):
Language Translation - Bi-cultural Spanish: $1.00 per hour
Bimodal Bilingualism - ASL Sign Language: $1.00 per hour
Bimodal Multilingualism - ASL Sign Language: $2.00 per hour
Do you have an upbeat passion for addressing homelessness? For helping people find stability and housing? Do you want to make a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable neighbors during this time of uncertainty and beyond?
RCS is seeking a self-motivated experienced, bilingual Housing Navigator to join our Integrated Health team in Mendocino County. This position is based out of Ukiah, providing housing support services to people throughout the county.
Please submit a cover letter with your resume. We want to know who you are, why you want to work for RCS, and why you would be a good fit for this position! Because this information is so vital, applicants without a cover letter will not be considered.
Overview: As a Housing Navigator you would work directly with individuals experiencing homelessness who need support as they seek stable housing. The people you would be serving are shelter guests, people living on the street, people who are housed and need ongoing support to maintain their housing, and other people who have or are experiencing a housing crisis. This is a full-time position working independently and in a team. You would assist individuals and families with acquiring safe and stable housing, assessing their barriers to housing and identifying ways to work with those barriers. You would recruit and develop relationships with landlords who provide housing opportunities to our participants. You would work collaboratively with other service providers and agencies to improve access to housing and other resources necessary to acquire and sustain housing. This position requires critical thinking and analysis through a racial equity lens, as well as demonstration of compassion, understanding, and empathy while working with diverse staff, guests, and community partners. Key Responsibilities:
Assist clients with creating and following through with a housing stabilization plan that identifies what their housing goals are, their resources, supports, challenges, action steps, possible budget, and other elements to aid them with acquiring and maintaining housing.
Identify and secure affordable rental properties with property owners and housing developers). This includes screening units for appropriateness, developing rental agreements with property managers, visiting prospective rental units with participants, and overseeing the execution of all signed leasing materials.
Refer and link clients to the appropriate services and resources to help them address barriers to housing.
Collaborate with participant’s team to support their housing placement and retention, including assisting participants and landlords with mediating and resolving conflicts.
Education: Strongly desired – College degree in social work or related field. Experience:
Minimum of one (1) year of experience working in a social work-related position providing direct client services. Prefer candidates with experience working with people experiencing homelessness.
Strongly desired – Candidates with lived/personal experience with homelessness, mental illness, substance use disorder, and/or other challenges experienced by the people served.
Preferred – Experience/knowledge of real estate, property management, landlord engagement, and fair housing laws.
Preferred – Experience working in harm reduction, Housing First, trauma-informed, low barrier service environments.
Strongly desired – Experience with documenting services and activities, data management, and homeless management information systems preferred.
Must have basic knowledge of Microsoft Suite (Excel, Power Point, Outlook, etc.).
Must be able to provide written verification of experience and education upon hire.
Care Manager I – Less than two (2) years of full-time experience in the social work field providing direct services.
Care Manager II – At least two (2) years of full-time experience in the social work field providing direct services.
Care Manager III – At least four (4) years of full-time experience in the social work field providing direct client services. Up to a maximum of two (2) years can be substituted by years of education.** Demonstrates ability to work independently with competency in all aspects of the role.
**Minimum of two (2) years of college level education (60 semester or 90 quarter units) with a minimum of 12 semester (18 quarter) units in social work-related subject areas such as child development, social work, human behavior, rehabilitation, psychology, or substance use counseling. Other Qualifications:
Must complete a pre-employment physical exam, negative TB test, clear fingerprint background, FBI, & DOJ. Two (2) years driving experience and ability to drive and use personal vehicle for work (including transporting clients) required; must show evidence of current CA driver’s license, appropriate insurance, and vehicle safety inspection.
Must be willing to work occasional shifts on a weekend day for special events.
Must be willing to occasionally work on the floor at B2 to support the guests utilizing the shelter and day resources.
Must be bilingual in English and Spanish.
Training:
Preferred – Training in harm reduction, Housing First, trauma-informed, low barrier service models.
RCS provides an in-depth onboarding and training orientation, which includes CPR/First Aid, Crisis Communication/Pro-ACT, Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, Collaborative Problem Solving, introductions to all RCS departments, and other valuable trainings.