Housing Navigator

Clinical/Client Services Vallejo, California

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Description

Position Title:                   Housing Navigator
Program/Dept:                 Supported Housing
Reports to:                        Program Director
Classification:                   Regular, Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Compensation:                 34.65/hr + Full Benefits Package
Location:                            Contra Costa County
 
Agency Description: Caminar and our divisions transformed the lives of over 31,000 youth and adults across San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Francisco, Solano, Contra Costa, and Butte counties last year through education, behavioral health care, and support. Driven by compassion, science, and our understanding of root causes, we deliver high-quality prevention, treatment, and recovery services to those with complex mental health, substance use, and co-occurring needs.
We understand that quality behavioral health outcomes occur when a person is supported in all their basic human needs, and we actively partner with our clients and the community to address the social determinants of health that lead to sustained well-being. We are here to empower and support the most vulnerable members of our community to move toward wellness, resilience, and independence.
 Caminar values diversity. People of all races, ethnicities, countries of origin, faith, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities are welcome here.
Position Summary:    The Housing Navigator works as a landlord facing advocate to promote housing stability for Prevention/Diversion clients and to assist acquiring housing for Rapid Re-Housing clients.  The Housing Navigator supports the program team and works in collaboration and coordination with various landlords and property managers to identify housing opportunities for individuals experiencing homelessness.  The Housing Navigator works to establish and maintain a positive relationship between landlord and tenant.  Over the course of a 15-month period, the Housing Navigator will assist at least 28 households attain housing, as well as 29 households that need assistance with housing stability in the form of landlord relationship-building. 
  
Essential Duties & Responsibilities: 
  • Developing and managing a comprehensive outreach program and developing workings relationship with community stakeholders, especially landlords and property managers
  • Implementing a landlord recruitment and retention plan. Recruiting landlord, management firm, and leaseholder participation and/or growth of participation in the BFH rapid re-housing program
  • Assist in locating other permanent supportive housing and subsidy programs
  • Meeting with owners, landlords, and property managers to discuss how BFH rapid re-housing is a great way to be a key part of helping the community
  • Negotiating with landlords experiencing conflicts with tenants and enlisting legal aid mediation services as needed for more serious conflicts to help avoid eviction
  • Building long-lasting relationships with property managers, landlords, owners, and firms to expand the scope of their participation in programs that house those experiencing homelessness
  • Performing initial site visits at all prospective sites to ensure they meet guidelines for habitability standards
  • Conducting regular visits to landlords participating in the program to proactively identify any emerging areas of concern and strengthen the relationship
  • Maintaining a database of landlords and management firms willing to work with community members who have experienced homelessness
  • Notify H3 of new units of housing as they become available
  • Tracking all placements with landlords in HMIS
  • Maintaining awareness of changes in the market and of community processes that may impact services. Develop and present recommendations to address expected changes
  • Develop sample forms, templates, and trainings for providers to use, including: sample client reference letters for landlords, landlord-facing sample program information marketing, sample landlord-tenant- case manager communication plan/agreement, a tenant education program, etc.) 
  • Drive own or agency vehicle to destinations, as required; documenting and reporting mileage according to agency procedures, so that services can be provided in a timely manner; comply with agency vehicle policy at all times
  • Lead a subcommittee to work on systemic landlord engagement strategies (including strategies to reduce barriers to housing: obtaining documents, removing evictions, expunging convictions, payments of arrears, etc.)
  • Organize annual trainings for homeless service providers (mandated for all CoC, ESG and state-funded housing providers) on: Fair Housing training (this should include information on Detecting and Preventing Discrimination, compliance with the Fair Housing Act, how to file a local grievance or HUD directly) and Tenants Rights (this should include information on any relevant moratoriums on evictions, late fees, and penalties related to nonpayment of rent)  
  • Develop a Landlord Appreciation process to honor landlords that have leased to homeless or formerly homeless tenants 
  • Perform all job functions in cooperation with the supervisor, other staff, and other providers involved in the service effort, including sharing information regarding all important interventions
  • Participate in staff meetings and attend other meetings, as assigned
  • Attend and complete trainings as assigned and in a timely manner
  • Participate in promoting a safe, healthy and clean working environment at all times consistent with applicable laws, industry standards and the agency’s own Health & Safety Program
  • Complete and submit accurate time sheets and absence reports to Program Director in a timely manner
  • Actively nurture and advance the cooperative, harmonious and teamwork-oriented environment Caminar strives to promote within the workplace; Through daily efforts and presentation promote an atmosphere of dignity and respect in line with the organization’s mission, philosophy, policies and procedures
  • Perform other related duties, responsibilities and special projects as assigned
  
Experience, Qualifications, Skills & Abilities: 
  • Must be passionate about Caminar's mission
  • BA/BS in a human-services related field.  Absent BA/BS, a minimum two-years of verifiable program experience in the provision of direct services to homeless individuals is required.  High school diploma or GED required
  • Demonstrated experience in a program serving homeless individuals strongly preferred
  • Prior experience working with landlords, property managers, property owners, and/or housing developers
  • Knowledge in local communities and resources
  • Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment including email and Internet navigation required. Experience with Homeless Management Information Systems strongly preferred. Experience with web-based time and attendance and staff training and development system strongly preferred
  • Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality, a professional demeanor, and to represent the organization in a positive manner at all times
  • Must demonstrate acceptable level of maturity, good judgment, and emotional stability
  • Problem solving—identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully
  • Customer Service—manages difficult customer situations, responds promptly to customer needs, and solicits customer feedback to improve service
  • Oral and written communication—speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, demonstrates group presentation skills, and conducts meetings.   Completes written progress notes and other formal communications skillfully and professionally
  • Quality management—looks for ways to improve and promote quality and demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness
  • Planning/organizing—prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently and develops realistic action plans
  • Adaptability—adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands, and can deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events
  • Dependability—is consistently at work and on time, follows instructions, responds to management direction, and solicits feedback to improve performance
  • Safety and security—actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures, and uses equipment and materials properly
  • Must be a dynamic self-starter with demonstrated ability to work independently on special projects
  
Physical, Environmental and Mental Requirements: 
  • Physical: Occasionally required to push/pull objects up to 50 lbs., and to lift/carry objects up to 25 lbs.  Frequently required to perform moderately difficult manipulative tasks such as typing, writing, etc. Must be able to walk, stand, sit for extended periods
  • Sensory: Frequently required to read documents, written reports, and plans. Must be able to distinguish normal sounds with some background noise, as in answering the phone, interacting with residents and staff, etc. Must be able to speak clearly and understand/be understood using the English language
  • Cognitive: Frequently required to concentrate on moderate detail with constant interruption. Must be able to attend to a task/function for 20-45 minutes at a time. Frequently required to understand and relate to specific ideas, several at a time. Must be able to remember multiple tasks/assignments given to self and others over a period of several days
  • Environmental Conditions: Frequent exposure to varied office and mixed (residential/office) environments.  Occasional exposure to toxins and poisonous substances, dust, and loud noises
  • Equipment: Frequently required to use a computer, phone, and fax machine
  
Special Requirements: 
  • Must be able to meet and receive a criminal records clearance, as required by Title XXII, other licensing regulations, and Caminar practices
  • This position requires frequent driving.  A valid California driver license, reliable personal vehicle, current personal auto insurance as required by law, and an MVR sufficient to obtain and reasonably maintain insurability under agency auto liability policies are all essential job requirements 
  • Must be able to pass post offer, pre-employment medical and drug tests as required under State Community Care Licensing regulations and/or agency policies
  • A personal cell phone with reliable service and, if applicable, a data plan to use for business purposes 
  • May be required to obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR certification
  
  
Caminar is a leader in providing innovative client-oriented mental health services.  We are an equal opportunity employer.  Please visit our web site at www.caminar.org 

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