Housing Specialist

Housing Specialist I

PAY RATE: $23.53 - $24.77 Per Hour

BENEFITS: VOALA offers competitive medical, dental, vision and retirement benefits.

JOB SUMMARY AND PURPOSE

The Housing Specialist I is responsible for identifying suitable housing options for program participants and their families, and assisting the participants to achieve sustainable and healthy independent living. Part of services team for the program, the Housing Specialist participates in all stages of client service: assessment, services planning, engagement and delivery. Assists program case management, outreach and community engagement as directed.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identifies and locates housing options suitable for homeless participants, including referral to VOALA shelters as appropriate.
  • Creates and maintains a housing database linking tenants to apartments
  • Communicates with landlords and familiarise them with the program and the unique needs of participants
  • Conducts habitability and lead‑based paint inspections of housing options as needed
  • Works directly (One on One) with landlords on behalf of clients and program
• Develops support systems to meet individual client’s housing needs; coordinates and facilitates move‑in activities, rental negotiations, and service referrals as needed
• Facilitates the use of community resources to assist both tenants and landlords in the event of problems leading to potential eviction
• As a member of the program case management team, provides information referrals, crisis intervention, and assistance with permanent housing placement for participants
  • Assists case managers in conducting the comprehensive screenings and assessments to collect functional, environmental, financial, employment, housing, educational and health information, as appropriate, to develop an Individual Service Plan
  • Coordinates follow‑up services with case management team
• Additional duties as assigned

• Services for this position must be provided on‑site. As a result, the position requires incumbents to report to work on‑site each day of active employment.
• Identifies and locates housing options suitable for homeless program participants.
  • Creates and maintains a housing database linking tenants to apartments
  • Communicates with landlords and familiarise them with the programme
  • Works one‑on‑one with landlords to help clients and represent the programme
• Develops support system for clients to achieve and keep permanent housing, involving landlords and services available in the community.
• Coordinates efforts with Case Management team, supporting Case Management initiatives for clients served, meets regularly to stay current with client needs
• Participates in community engagement and outreach efforts
• Other duties as required and may be subject to change

As service providers to the underprivileged and vulnerable in our community, all employees are considered mandated reporters, and must report any instance of physical or sexual abuse to proper authorities.

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications
• Current TB screening and immunisation records (within 5 days of hire)
• Copy of current professional licence (if applicable)
• Current BLS certification (within 15 days of hire)
• Completion of all required trainings (within 30 days of hire)
• Ability to perform under circumstances of possible emotional stress and conflicts dealing with difficult, uncooperative and potentially aggressive clients as VOALA serves the neediest of the needy in our programmes which may include clients with homelessness, mental‑illness, substance abuse, recently released from incarceration and other challenges.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Services or related discipline
• Or equivalent combination of education and work experience (four years)

EXPERIENCE:

• One year of experience working with veterans, people in recovery and or homelessness individuals

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Volunteers of America is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

This employer participates in E‑Verify as required by the federal government and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm that you are authorised to work in the U.S.

If E‑Verify cannot confirm that you are authorised to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment