Shelter In-Reach Specialist

Shelter In-Reach Specialist

The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) is a non-profit organization established in 1976 to serve immigrants, refugees, and the broader community in Portland, Oregon. Our mission is to welcome, serve and empower refugees, immigrants and people across cultures and generations to reach their full potential.

This Multnomah County Adult System Housing aims to bring housing placement services into existing shelter programs and provide services that are tailored to meet each household's specific situation and needs.

The Shelter In-Reach Specialist supports the Housing and Supportive Services team's mission and goals by assisting members of the community with housing placement by providing a continuum of flexible services to assist households in accessing and retaining stable housing.

Essential Functions:

• Provide housing placement at shelter locations.
• Coordinate with shelter providers and other In-Reach partners within the system.
• Provide services to clients as a mobile option and in partnership with shelter operators.
• Maintain a case load of 20 clients maximum per year.
• Provide rental subsidies and other flexible financial assistance to support clients with successful transition into permanent housing.
• Assessment of housing barriers, needs and preferences, and current service engagement.
• Assist clients with housing application preparation, appeals, and reasonable accommodation requests with landlords.
• Support clients with housing application fees, security deposits, and other move-in costs.
• Engage clients who are placed into housing in creating an individual case plan that sets goals and action steps for maintaining stable housing.
• Provide ongoing case management to support households in transitioning from rental assistance and becoming self-sufficient.
• Connect clients to wraparound support services as needed.
• Adhere to local, state and federal housing laws and regulations.
• Utilize Community aware methods of case management.

Secondary Functions:

• Ability to meet multiple, including conflicting deadlines
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
• Ability to work flexible hours to meet the availability of clients

Requirements:

Education & Experience:

• A minimum of 2 years of work experience in housing services is required.
• Ability to work with people from all backgrounds without exception. Good communication is a must. Experience working with refugee and immigrant communities, underserved and low-income families is a must.
• Ability to courteously meet and deal effectively with other employees, organization representatives, vendors, contractors, the public, and others.
• Ability to use initiative and judgment in completing tasks and responsibilities.
• Ability to function in a positive manner in a demanding work environment, to demonstrate a high degree of flexibility

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Fair Housing regulations
• Strong analytical, problem-solving skills
• Strong skills in intercultural, interpersonal, and organizational communication
• Communicate effectively in a positive manner verbally, in writing, and by phone
• Strong communication skills in a multilingual, multibackground team and organization
• A second language in any Asian or Pacific Islander, African, Middle Eastern, Russian, or Hispanic language is preferred.

Physical, Mental, & Environmental Requirements:

• Hybrid setting job
• Physical:
  Positions at this level require minimal physical effort such as light lifting, carrying or movement, etc. Physical capability involves use of office equipment where some agility and hand eye coordination is needed.
• Mental:
  There is regular variation in tasks, and the job holder must decide which tasks to complete as well as the order in which tasks are completed.
• Environment:
  There is a moderately low level of personal risk encountered. Job conditions are occasionally uncomfortable relative to noise, temperature, inside/outside work, dirty conditions, or interactions with angry or hostile people.
• Schedule:
  
  The work schedule is stable and does not fluctuate

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Positions at this level are not responsible for any supervisory functions, or responsibilities, but may occasionally be asked to orient and/or train new employees or volunteers.

What We Offer:

• Many flexible working arrangements and schedule
• Amazing opportunity to work with people who come from all over the world
• Work that helps your community
• 3 to 6 weeks of PTO per year
• 401k match of over 100% on first 5%, immediate vesting
• 3% match for student loans or college savings
• 12 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
• Medical & Dental insurance options with 90% coverage for employee AND Families, no deductibles
• Employer Paid Life, Short term, and Long-term Disability Insurance
• Flexible spending accounts

Required Engagement:

Engage fully in recommended professional development, as well as other assigned or required training activities. This engagement can also include participation in optional activities that embrace IRCO's mission, vision, and…