Resettlement Housing Specialist

Organizational Background

For 100 years Nationalities Service Center (NSC) has welcomed people from around the globe who seek refuge, hope, and opportunity in the Greater Philadelphia area. Our mission is to empower immigrants and refugees to thrive in our communities and pursue a just future. NSC delivers a 360° client experience from early pathways to stability toward long-term economic mobility. Our comprehensive and integrated services include housing and community resettlement for refugees, asylees, and victims of trafficking/torture; English language classes; legal protections and remedies; health and wellness; job readiness training and employment placement.  Each year NSC serves approximately 5,000 individuals from over 110 countries. 

As a 501(c)(3), NSC currently has 100+ full-time and part-time employees. Our revenue mix includes public grants and contracts, foundation grants, individual donations, fees for service, corporate sponsorships, and earned revenue. Headquartered in Center City, Philadelphia, PA, we are currently operating a hybrid remote office schedule. 

Employment at NSC means joining a resilient, motivated, and global team committed to fulfilling our mission and being ready to stand with immigrants and refugees. We believe it's important to cultivate a team that is reflective of the communities we serve and highly encourage individuals from diverse and global backgrounds to apply.

Position Summary

The Resettlement Housing Specialist position will lead NSC’s efforts to engage landlords, property managers, and newcomer clients to promote safe, sustainable housing options in the Greater Philadelphia region for the Refugee Resettlement program. The Housing Specialist will engage with landlords, property managers, and other stakeholders to promote NSC’s housing program. The Specialist will conduct housing searches on behalf of newcomer clients and negotiate leases, move-in, and related issues. This includes finding and securing housing, setting up utilities, and coordinating client move-in efforts. 

The Housing Specialist has internal contacts with the Resettlement team and NSC administrative staff and external contact with landlords, housing partners, clients, visitors, representatives of other social services agencies, and the community. This position has access to sensitive NSC and client information and is expected to handle such information with integrity and professionalism. This position is expected to represent NSC in a professional manner.

 Primary Responsibilities

Relationship Management - cultivates relationships with landlords, property managers and housing complexes to maintain an inventory of safe, suitable and affordable housing for refugees and immigrants which meet contractual obligations for multiple programs and local housing regulations.  

Housing Resources Contacts – maintains lists of and contacts with housing providers who provide temporary, transitional and other supportive housing for specific populations and other housing related resources 

Housing Procurement & Maintenance – Ensures rental properties meet local housing laws through home safety checklists, ensure that landlords have rental licenses, their housing meets standard regulations including lead safe requirements and that documentation for these are kept on file. Ensures property utility set up and move-in procedures are secured. 

Education & Case Management Support – works closely with case to ensure clients are provided the housing resources and information required

Recordkeeping & Teamwork- Maintains accurate, timely and orderly case and database records, related documentation and prepares reports in a timely and accurate manner.  Actively participates in weekly case meetings and other department, agency, community and provider meetings, as needed.  

 Required Skills and Experiences

• Minimum of 1 year of relevant professional experience and/or working with refugee and/or immigrant populations preferred.
• Valid drivers' with access to vehicle and willing to take public transportation occasionally.
• Understanding of NSC goals and objectives and ability to work and contribute as part of a larger team.  
• Informed self-awareness and inter-cultural humility are essential traits in a strong candidate.  
• Knowledge of electronic communication and data and general office related tools and equipment in addition to basic knowledge in Excel, Microsoft Office, and Power Point and client databases.  
• Experience with Reception & Placement (Refugee Resettlement) or another immigrant serving program or lived experience as a newcomer is preferred.    
• Valid drivers’ license with access to reliable transportation or eligible for shared auto program.  
• Knowledge of local housing inventory and community resources and benefits that impact and/or benefit the targeted client needs. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks by carefully setting priorities, meeting deadlines, and scheduling time efficiently. 
• Possesses strong interpersonal skills as demonstrated by compassionate, courteous, cordial, cooperative, and professional interaction with diverse groups of co-workers, external business partners, and the community. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and effectively communicate with individuals and groups.

Requirements

• COVID-Vaccine - NSC has determined that requiring that all staff who are working on-site be fully vaccinated is the best way to protect our employees and the community. 
• Working in the office is required for the Philadelphia office and other locations as well as offsite travel when necessary.  NSC is currently operating on a hybrid remote/office schedule. 
• Working understanding of NSC’s mission, vision, values, programs and services, and business plan. 
• Possesses strong interpersonal skills as demonstrated by compassionate, courteous, cordial, cooperative, and professional interaction with diverse groups of co-workers, external business partners, and the community. 
• Adheres to all NSC and departmental policies and procedures. 
• Attends all NSC in-services as required. 

Physical Demands  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will frequently stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or equipment; reach with hands and arms; balance; talk or hear. The employee will occasionally climb stairs; stoop; kneel; crouch or crawl; taste or smell. 
2. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 
3. Operate related office equipment and use necessary tools. 
4. Specific vision abilities required by the job include frequent reading and close vision; distance vision; color vision; peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.        

LOCATION AND HOURS This is a full-time, hybrid position based in our Philadelphia office. This position requires frequent fieldwork. Our regular hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. 

COMPENSATION  The salary is $45,000. The benefits package includes generous vacation and sick leave; paid sabbatical leave; summer hours; 77% employer-paid health, dental, and vision coverage; short-term disability, long-term disability, life insurance, 403(b) with an employer match.  

HOW TO APPLY  Please submit a cover letter, resume and complete the online application by going to this link - - https://nscphila.org/about-us/careers.   

 Nothing in this position description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. 

The benefits package includes generous vacation and sick leave; paid sabbatical leave; summer hours; 77% employer-paid health, dental, and vision coverage; short-term disability, long-term disability, life insurance, 403(b) with an employer match.