Housing Specialist-Reentry Rapid Rehousing

Position:
Housing Specialist RRH Exceptions

Location:

San Jose, Ca

Reports to:

Program Manager Status:
Regular, Full Time, Non-Exempt Compensation: $32.20 Hourly ABOUT HOMEFIRSTEstablished in 1980, Home First is a nonprofit organization passionately working to end homelessness. We serve the Bay Area community through low-barrier programming and systems leadership – meeting each person where they are by offering support and resources that address immediate and long-term housing needs. With nearly 45 years of experience, we view housing as a fundamental human right and understand that solving homelessness requires a collaborative effort.

OUR VALUES Kindness:
We act with empathy toward others.

Passion:
We ignite change to fulfill our mission.

Excellence:
We deliver exceptional service to our communities.

POSITION OVERVIEW The Housing Specialist-Individuals meets with our program participants and assists them in locating, securing, and maintaining permanent housing in the community. They play a key role in representing agency and program participant interests to landlords and developing strong working relationships with property managers and owners. To this end, the Housing Specialist-Individuals participates in our collective effort to end and prevent homelessness.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

This role reports to the Program Manager.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES Maintain a caseload of 20-30 participants in an active housing search.

Provide comprehensive Housing Specialist-Individuals . This may include:

Landlord outreach and support

Housing search

Application assistance

Advocacy

Housing mediation

Financial assistance administration

Crisis de-escalation

Risk assessment and mandated reporting

Connection to community resources, i.e., prevention

Other direct service provision

Meet with participants at a frequency and location determined by their needs.

Engage in the consistent application of evidence-based practices.

Support internal case management and program support specialist activities as needed. This may include:

Street-based or community outreach efforts

Conducting joint participant meetings

Workshop coordination

Participate in case conferencing and collaborative care coordination.

Maintain compliance with contract, agency, and licensing requirements.

Achieve identified program and position deliverables.

Adhere to task completion deadlines.

Maintain thorough and accurate documentation of participants in accordance with agency and contractual standards.

Attend all job-related meetings, including program staff meetings and agency-wide meetings.

Participate in opportunities for learning and skill maintenance/development.

Utilize supervision appropriately, maintain open lines of communication, and provide updates on activity.

Assist with other duties as assigned.

QUALITIES:

Housing Specialist-Individuals is passionate about serving others and sees themself in a helping profession long-term. They have a knack for winning people over through their strong persuasive abilities and balance their natural creativity with nuts and bolts of problem-solving. They manage their time well and demonstrate strong organizational abilities.

With the support of program leadership, the Housing Specialist-Individuals participates in our culture of learning and increases their knowledge of evidence-based practices over the course of their employment. Together, we model the values and principles of Home First within the agency and the broader community.

Home First is a diverse company in a diverse field, and the Housing Specialist-Individuals seeks to work with people from a variety of social and economic backgrounds. They are a highly collaborative member of our participant team and enjoy a team-oriented work environment.

BENEFITSHomeFirst provides comprehensive benefits, including 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage and additional wellness options like chiropractic care, mental health support, pet insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program. We offer a 401(k)-retirement plan with generous matching, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, commuter benefits, and workers’ compensation. Employees enjoy 12 holidays, sick leave,…