Housing Specialist

Housing Specialist

Volunteers of America Colorado is a nonprofit, faith-based organization dedicated to helping those in-need transform their lives. Through more than 50 distinct human service programs, Volunteers of America changes the lives of more than 140,000 vulnerable Colorado ans each year. VOA services include housing and emergency shelters, hunger and nutrition services, and many other community support programs. Our work touches the mind, body, heart and ultimately the spirit of those we serve.

VOA integrates compassion with highly effective programs that build and strengthen communities.

The Housing Specialist will coordinate and oversee the implementation of the VOCA Housing for Crime Victims Special Project and DVP TANF Flex Funds project, as well as provide mobile advocacy to crime victims as they transition to and/or maintain independent housing. Program participants will be adults who are homeless due to domestic and/or family violence, sexual assault, or stalking, who may or may not have mental health or chemical dependency issues, and are low-income.

The purpose of the Housing for Crime Victims Special Project will be to create or enhance a housing program for eligible program participants that will first focus on helping survivors increase access to and retain safe, long-term housing and then provide tailored supportive services.

Essential duties and responsibilities include serving as the primary contact for housing assistance for both crime victims and community partners; understanding and implementing the Housing for Crime Victims Special Project and DVP TANF Flex Funds projects according to VOCA, DVP and VOA standards and expectations; determining the housing needs and available resources for persons seeking aid and working with them to determine what is available to them;

providing trauma-informed care; referring crime victims in need of short-term rental assistance and additional housing case management to Housing Solutions for the Southwest and, when appropriate, providing collaborative case management; coordinating VOCA funding available to assist crime victims on a variety of needs to promote long-term housing stability; providing community-based mobile supportive services to crime victims; coordinating process of lease-up, landlord negotiations, and contracts, along with partner agencies such as Housing Solutions for the Southwest;

generating resources in the area of housing, including researching available affordable and supportive housing options; triaging and assessing all information and referral inquiries to assure effective advocacy and financial support; engaging landlords and developing partnerships with housing and community providers to increase housing opportunities for crime victims; responsible for intake interviews of new program participants, completing necessary documentation, and determining if client is appropriate for the program;

attending staff meetings weekly, in-service training as required and meeting periodically with the Program Manager for input and exchange of information; responsible for providing supervision and training of new employees and volunteers as assigned; giving educational presentations to community groups and attending professional meetings when requested; maintaining case notes, completing financial assistance documentation and billing, and other paperwork as required;

performing all work in a culturally appropriate manner consistent with Volunteers of America's mission and philosophy; performing job responsibilities in accordance with the Social Work Code of Ethics; ensuring guest voice is incorporated into programmatic evaluation and improvement; and performing all other duties as assigned.

There are no supervisory responsibilities for this position.

Mobile Position requires daily short-distance travel to meet with clients and operate at both the Southwest Safehouse and the Durango Community Shelter. Bending, Climbing, Stooping, Kneeling, Reaching, Crouching, Squatting, Lifting (30 to 50 pounds), Balancing, Standing, Sitting, Hand/Foot motions, Walking, Seeing (Close and distant vision, Detect, Determine, Perceive, Identify, Recognize, Judge, Observe, Inspect, Assess, Estimate), Depth Perception, Hearing/Listening, Speaking/Shouting (Communicate, Discern, Convey, Express, Exchange), Use of Hands/Fingers (Grasping, Holding, Touching), Thinking, Calculating, Memory/Recall, Exposure to Indoor and Outdoor environments.

Full-time, 40hrs per week during…