Housing Navigator (Bilingual Required)

*Only bilingual/biliterate candidates will be considered.
Hourly differential will be paid after successfully passing exam.
Position Summary: As part of the Housing Program within the Homeless Services Division, this position will work with vulnerable homeless individuals seeking to end their experience of homelessness.
The Housing Navigator will provide clients with needed services aimed at obtaining housing and will target interventions to address barriers that impede their ability to obtain housing.
Services may include (but not limited to) assessment, information and referral, collection of basic personal documents, assistance with housing applications, transportation, as well as on-site client supervision.
Will develop and maintain relationships with landlords to increase housing opportunities for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Works with multiple service providers to enhance, augment, and coordinate service delivery to programs.
Works with emergency services personnel, such as law enforcement, hospitals and paramedics.
Required Education and Experience: • Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or related field.
• Associate’s Degree/ Two years of College (social work, human services, psychology or related fields) • Plus, Two (2) years of related work or volunteer experience Related work/volunteer experience: • Direct human or health services to the economically disadvantaged, physically/mentally disabled, substance abuse/dual diagnosed individuals, the elderly, and/or at risk youth or • Four (4) years of related work experience Preferred Education and Experience: • One year or more experience in homeless services, or related fields (those with history of incarceration, extreme poverty, and those suffering from mental illness or substance abuse disorders, etc.
, preferred, including assessment, evaluation, case planning, referral and follow-up).
License & Certifications: • Must have dependable, insured transportation, and a valid California Driver License (mileage to be reimbursed) and acceptable driving record.
• A DMV printout and proof of insurance will be required.
Essential Functions: • Develop and implement an individual housing plan and assessment for each client to determine appropriate permanent housing intervention and service needs.
• Navigate persons to permanent housing placement or programs that will assist with safe and stable housing based on their eligibility, needs, and choice.
• Act as a client resource by providing referrals to services available in the community, facilities linkages to said resources with primary focus on housing.
• Provide one-on-one case management clients to promote resilience throughout the housing navigation process using techniques such as Motivational Interviewing, Nonviolent De-Escalation, and Crisis Intervention (among other techniques).
• Assist clients in obtaining necessary documents (i.
e.
birth certificates, social security cards, entitlement benefits information) with the goal of permanent housing acquisition.
• Assist in completion of housing applications and accompany individuals to housing appointments when needed, when possible collaborates with Housing Program team members to provide clients transportation to necessary appointments.
• Assist in the development and encourage adherence to a personal budget through credit repair, saving accounts,and other interventions.
• Prioritize caseload to work highest in need participants and provide clients with appropriate housing resources through providers (TMHA, HASLO, etc.
) and private landlords.
• Work with lower acuity clients to ensure they are locating housing and bringing housing leads to the navigator.
• Orient and interacts with local landlords to build relationships that will result in housing opportunities for clients.
• Ensure that there is a “warm” hand-off when individuals are placed into another more suitable housing program.
• Maintain accurate and complete client files in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), daily activity logs, mileage logs, and other reports as directed.
• Orient and interact with various service providers and community members.
Responsibilities and Duties: • Assist, as needed, in training and providing direction to other staff and volunteers.
• Attend staff meetings and training sessions as required.
• Must be dedicated to the principles of Housing First, Harm Reduction, and CAPSLO Homeless Services.
• Must use reasonable precautions in the performance of one’s duties and adhere to all applicable safety rules and practices, and act in such a manner as to assure at all times maximum safety to one’s self, fellow employees, clients and children.
• Perform other duties as needed.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge • Must have demonstrated knowledge of local human services.
• Must be computer literate with basic knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and data tracking programs.
• Must become fluent in ClientTrack and HMIS within one month of hire Skills • Must have strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Must have demonstrated organizational skills in former positions Abilities • Must have the demonstrated ability to motivate and problem solve in former positions • Must have the ability to show warmth and appreciation of human growth at all levels and understand the process of gaining trust and credibility with the homeless population.
• Must be able to relate well to all people of the community regardless of color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, disability or socio-economic level.
• Must be self-motivated and able to work independently and with minimal supervision • Must understand, uphold, and continue working toward accomplishing the mission, strategic goals and performance measures of the agency.
Supervisory Responsibility: • This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.
Work Environment: • Requires working indoors in a temperature-controlled environment with some exposure to copier and printer chemicals/fumes.
Physical Demands: 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.
Physical • Position requires intermittent sitting, standing, walking, twisting, and bending.
• Must be able to lift 30 pounds.
• Simple grasping and hand manipulation required, as well as reaching above and below shoulder level.
Travel: • Some travel may be required to attend meetings, conferences and training.
Additional Eligibility Qualifications: • Must be at least 18 years of age by date of hire.
• Must comply with the CAPSLO COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, either being fully vaccinated or sign a COVID-19 vaccination declination form.
• Based on program, a current TB skin test/Chest X-Ray may be required.
• Employment is contingent upon meeting all applicable job requirements and background requirements.
A criminal history clearance is required prior to employment.
• Upon hire, agency staff will check the Megan’s Law (or the current sexual predator website) to ensure each staff being hired is clear for employment.
Agency staff will check the website annually to ensure all program staff are cleared to work.
Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.
Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Reasonable Accommodations: I have read and understand the Essential Functions of this position, including the Responsibilities and Duties.
I also acknowledge that the Responsibilities and Duties for this position may change in the future with or without prior notice.
I further understand that I can request a reasonable accommodation, should one be necessary for me to carry out the Essential Functions of this position.
I can perform these with or without reasonable accommodation.
Benefits & Perks: Stay Healthy! • Keep yourself healthy with our comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance plans (Did we mention we pay your monthly premium at 100% if you are full time, YES…100 %!) • Keep your family healthy with the same comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision available for you to purchase! • Address everyday concerns with access to our Employee Assistance Program for you and your family.
• Get involved with company-sponsored monthly wellness challenges! Be Financially Fit! • Save for your future by enrolling into our retirement plan with generous company matches after 6 month.
• Set aside pre-tax dollars to cover medical or child care expenses through our Flexible Spending Plans.
• Utilize Discounts from our partners (reduced rates for pet insurance, cell phone services, car rentals and more).
Take time for you! • Relax, recharge, and reconnect with friends and family or plan your get away for a few days while using your vacation time awarded to you every pay period! • Relax when you are sick, rest assured you are covered by your awesome team and accrued paid sick time! • Enjoy the holidays! You get 13 of them…PAID! Have fun at work! • Celebrate birthdays and anniversaries with your team! • Join one of our committees and meet employees across the agency.
• Rock your CAPSLO provided hats, t-shirts, sweaters and more! • Be you!