Housing Specialist - Career MAP

Job Title            Housing Navigator – Career MAP

Department     Career Mobility Action Plan Program

Location            Washington, DC (Hybrid within 50mi of DC)

Reports to        Clinical Program Director – Career MAP Program

Position   Full-Time, Exempt

General Summary

The Housing Navigator will guide Career Mobility Action Plan (Career MAP) program participants through the relocation process. Specifically, the Housing Navigator will primarily be responsible for processing all Career MAP program housing related documents, matching applicants to available housing options, and supporting program participants in securing safe, decent and affordable housing. The incumbent will be responsible for building relationships with housing providers to increase the pipeline of housing opportunities available to program participants.

The incumbent will manage rental assistance contracts, determine initial or ongoing eligibility for rental units, coordinate inspections, and may provide guidance and training to GWUL staff or other program providers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

According to the ADA 1990, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Housing Navigator Responsibilities

• Manage the relocation process, inspections requests, and maintain connections, as a liaison between the program funder, program providers, and 600 Career MAP program participants.

• Develop and maintain an accurate and current housing portfolio with listings of available housing options that meet rent reasonableness standards and can be shared with program providers and participants

• Communicate directly with housing providers with/or on behalf of program participants throughout the relocation process to streamline the application and lease-up processes and facilitate a smooth relocation experience

• Receive all housing requests and carefully reviews each request to ensure that all pertinent information is collected regarding program participant housing needs

• Assist and advocate on behalf of all program participants in their housing search, including applying for apartments, negotiating services, determining rent reasonableness, coordinating inspections, and completing the lease-up process

• Develop and strengthen relationships with housing providers, property owners, and managers to expand housing opportunities for program participants

• Maintain the housing relocation tracker daily to ensure that all relocation and inspection updates are shared amongst the Career MAP team and program providers

• Must be able to personally identify with the lived experiences of our primary constituents and clients.

• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing (coaching and facilitating skills are preferred) with individuals representing diverse cultures and backgrounds and function calmly in situations that require a high degree of sensitivity, and diplomacy

• Ability and desire to engage vulnerable populations and develop working relationships with a keen focus on providing excellent customer service

• Ability to interpret explain, and apply low-income housing program rules and regulations to the housing navigation process

• Strong excel, data management, scheduling, customer service, and time management skills

• Experience managing a caseload of rental assistance contracts

• Prior property management experience is a plus

• Knowledge of HMIS, QuickBase, SPDAT, permanent housing procedures, and other housing related procedures is a plus

• Bilingual in Spanish is a plus

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or other human services field, with a minimum of 3 years of relevant housing navigation experience, ideally in homeless services

• Strong working knowledge of homelessness prevention programs and case management services for vulnerable populations of individuals and families

• Must be detail-oriented and possess strong organization and critical thinking skills

• Must successfully complete a criminal background investigation.

• Must be authorized to work in the United States

Salary                    $65,000 - $70,000 based on experience and credentials.  

Work Location   2901 14th Street NW, Washington, DC (Hybrid within 50mi of DC)

Direct Reports   None

Working Conditions

The employee will be working a hybrid work schedule.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this opportunity, the employee will frequently sit, stand, walk, and reach. May need to lift files or packages periodically.  

Other Duties

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and work performed by employees but is not a complete list of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of personnel. Furthermore, other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at the discretion of the employer. 

The Greater Washington Urban League is an equal employment opportunity employer.

100% Employer paid Medical coverage; employee pays low cost for dependent coverage

Dental and Vision

Mental Health, Behavioral Health, and Wellness Support

Employee Assistance Program

Short Term and Long Term Disability

Employer paid Life Insurance (2x Annual Salary)

403(b) Retirement Plan

FSA Childcare, Parking, Commuter Benefits, and Medical expenses

Learning & Development Dollars

Organizational Teambuilding Retreats

Community Outreach Opportunities

Monthly Employee Engagement Events