Housing Specialist

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The hybrid Employment & Housing Specialist is a highly engaged, mission‑driven role that provides one‑on‑one support to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) as they navigate both employment and housing goals. This position is ideal for someone who thrives on meaningful connection, purposeful structure, and a mix of fieldwork and administrative responsibilities. The Specialist supports individuals in securing stable housing, developing job readiness skills, obtaining employment, and building long‑term independence in their community.

The ideal candidate is flexible, creative, organized, and deeply committed to empowering individuals to reach their unique personal, vocational, and housing goals.

The Employment & Housing Specialist works directly with clients to support their employment readiness, job placement, housing stability, and community integration. This includes assessments, service planning, job development, housing navigation, independent living skills training, and ongoing support.

• Maintain an active assignment caseload of individuals receiving services through DDA who are pursuing competitive employment and/or housing stability
• Conduct comprehensive assessments to understand strengths, needs, preferences, support systems, and individual goals across employment and housing domains
• Complete intake assessments to determine job readiness, barriers, vocational goals, housing needs, and risk factors
• Develop individualized employment and housing service plans in collaboration with each person
• Prepare vocational profiles and housing plans to guide job development and housing navigation processes

• Visit and engage local businesses to identify work experiences such as informational interviews, job shadows, situational assessments, and job tryouts
• Identify job opportunities aligned with each client’s skills, interests, and goals
• Build and maintain strong relationships with employers, landlords, property managers, community partners, and workforce organizations
• Attend community events, job fairs, and housing networking opportunities to expand employment and housing options
• Advocate for clients when negotiating job offers, workplace accommodations, leases, and rental agreements

• Navigate housing assistance programs including Section 8, HUD programs, HOPWA, and Maryland IDD‑specific housing initiatives
• Assist individuals in applying for housing programs, waiting lists, and rental opportunities
• Conduct pre‑inspections for move‑ins and relocations; coordinate with housing inspectors to ensure compliance
• Develop and identify housing opportunities and maintain updated knowledge of affordable housing resources
• Serve as liaison between clients, landlords, and community partners to support communication and resolve housing‑related issues
• Support clients with budgeting, rental readiness, household management, and independent living skills
• Coordinate and manage annual housing recertifications and documentation

• Provide support with resume writing, job applications, and career exploration
• Conduct mock interviews, role‑play exercises, and workplace etiquette coaching
• Provide travel training to support independent commuting for work and community access
• Facilitate independent living skill development including home upkeep, budgeting, transportation, and community safety

• Deliver on‑site and off‑site job coaching to support successful job integration and long‑term retention
• Provide systematic instruction for job tasks to promote independence and confidence
• Work collaboratively with employers to develop fade‑out plans and ensure long‑term job success
• Support positive workplace relationships between the individual and their coworkers/supervisors

• Organize and conduct structured group and individual activities that support employment goals,…