Housing navigator, Social Work

Sarah’s Inn is a community-based non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the lives of those affected by domestic violence and to break the cycle of violence for future generations. Our services and initiatives focus on ending relationship violence through domestic violence crisis intervention, community education, and violence prevention programs for youth.

Job Title:

Housing & Employment Navigator

Department:
Intervention

Reports To:

Housing Program Supervisor

FLSA status:
Exempt/Full-time

Position Summary:

Provide services include housing navigation, employment navigation, collaborative partnership, crisis intervention, emotional support, safety planning, general and legal advocacy, referral, domestic violence education, and support and education group services to families impacted by domestic violence. In addition, provide the Housing Program Team support with entering families into other available housing options (CE, SRN, etc.)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Other duties may be assigned.

Provide comprehensive and quality services to support victims of domestic violence and their families.

• Organize and prioritize daily services and responsibilities to ensure that client needs are met.
• Ensure professional relationships with clients to create an atmosphere of empathy, safety and support.
• Attend staffing meetings with Housing Forward staff, as needed, to case manage. If not directly seeing the family for services (i.e. being seeing by SI Counselors or Spanish speaking staff) be informed of updates, progress, and anything needed by the family for these meetings.
• Maintain accurate and current information regarding issues and policies impacting clients and their families.
• Coordinate responsibilities with team members, including Housing Forward staff, to ensure client needs are met.
• Update client files in a timely and accurate manner.
• Update client case notes and service codes in a timely and accurate manner.
• Achieve productivity expectations pertaining to service hours.
• Maintain knowledge of internal organizational guidelines and protocols.
• Work effectively with Intervention interns and volunteers.
• Provide coverage on the 24-hour crisis line during business hours (will be assigned shifts) and assistance with on-call (see below).

Assist qualifying clients with Housing Navigation

• Assist participants in their housing search, including applying for apartments, negotiating

with potential landlords and accompanying participants to apartment viewings as needed.

• Assist participants with housing applications including preparing/obtaining any needed

documentation and tracking application status.

• Advocates on behalf of participants to expedite their access to housing.
• Arranges for timely inspections and landlord corrective actions
• Determines rent reasonableness for inspected units prior to rental assistance and lease

approval for Safe Bridge Project Participants

• Explains and reviews the lease and sublease agreement with the incoming

participant(s)/sub-tenant

• Works with case managers to address any emerging issues related to housing and

community adjustment

• Conducts outreach and expands access to housing by cultivating relationships with

property owners and management companies and connecting with landlords via

neighborhood outreach, Internet search, and networking events.

• Develops expertise in available affordable housing sites and housing subsidies
• Attends collaborative meetings and networks with other agencies and coalitions

Assist qualifying clients with Employment Readiness

• Serve as the primary liaison for Sarah's Inn's employment partnerships by coordinating collaborations with staffing agencies, employers, and workforce development organizations. Coordinate employment readiness presentations, conduct client outreach to schedule and confirm participation, follow up on appointments and employment referrals, and maintain tracking systems to monitor client engagement, employment progress, and partnership outcomes.
• Develop individualized employment plans with clients by identifying career goals, employment barriers, and measurable steps toward obtaining and maintaining employment.
• Build and maintain a comprehensive database of employment resources, including job leads, workforce development programs, vocational training opportunities, educational resources, and community employment partners.
• Develop, cultivate, and expand strategic partnerships with employers, staffing agencies, educational institutions, workforce development organizations, and…