Adolfo - Housing Specialist

WHO WE ARE: We are more than a nonprofit organization. We are a ministry of service that includes nearly 500 paid, professional employees dedicated to helping those in need to rebuild their lives and reach their full potential. Founded locally in 1911, the Northern California & Northern Nevada affiliate of Volunteers of America (VOA-NCNN) is one of the largest providers of social services in the region, operating more than 40 programs including housing, employment services, substance abuse, and recovery services to families, individuals, veterans, seniors, and youth.

In fact, VOA-NCNN provides shelter or housing to over 4,000 men, women, and children every night.

OUR MISSION: To change individual lives, instill hope, increase self-worth and facilitate independence through quality housing, employment, and related supportive services. Volunteers of America Northern California & Northern Nevada inspires self-sufficiency, dignity, and hope by providing critical health and human services to thousands of vulnerable individuals and families across Northern California & Northern Nevada.

PROGRAM AND LOCATION: VOA-NCNN, a Certified Great Place to Work, is recruiting for a full-time Housing Specialist for the Adolfo Housing Program at our Mather Community Campus. Full-time employees (working 30 or more hours a week) are eligible for a benefits package that includes paid holidays, vacation, sick pay, health, dental, vision, life, and short-term disability insurance coverage.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under general supervision, this position will assist residents in obtaining and maintaining housing. Objectives include supportive interaction with program participants and team members, assessment of participant’s needs, supporting the safety and the integrity of all residents, and performance of all work duties as required. Work is performed in a cost effective and service-oriented manner as it relates to established organizational standards providing services to clients without ethnic or social prejudices.

OBJECTIVES/ACTIVITIES:

A. Responsible for performing daily work requirements to achieve established objectives of the department.

1. Develop contracts with each resident for payment of fees, both in VOA’s apartment building and scattered-site locations.
2. Liaison with landlords to facilitate successful transition and to problem-solve placement issues.
3. Contact and orient developers/landlords to increase permanent housing options.
4. Prepare all clients for their housing search.
5. Develop permanent housing resources throughout the community.
6. Maintain a resource list of available housing.
7. Coordinate with Housing Specialists from other VOA programs (i.e. Residence to ensure all permanent housing resources are available to clients.
8. Coordinate with Case Managers to assist students in mitigating negative credit histories.
9. Maintain follow-up housing data on graduates.
10. Develop and conduct groups regarding issues related to securing and maintaining permanent housing.
11. Prepare monthly report by the 5th of every month outlining accomplishments in a statistical format.
12. Develop with each client, their financial plan to take over the master leases on their apartments.
13. Visit weekly with clients in scattered-site locations to assist them in caring for their apartments and to remain aware of any financial changes or challenges that would prevent clients from meeting their rental/lease obligations.
14. Monitor fee payments and develop plans with residents, consult with the Case Manager, plan for fee waivers, late fee payments, back-rent payment plans.
15. Perform other related duties as assigned by Program Manager.

B. Responsible for self-development.

1. Continually learn and enhance technical and interpersonal skills.
2. Attend staff meetings and assigned training and complete required certifications, i.e. CPR, First Aid, etc.
3. Attend all training and collaborative meetings necessary for development of housing resources.
4. Serve as part of the development team by providing information and support for the development of quality operations.
5. Maintain an above average working knowledge of fire, safety, and health…