HOUSING SPECIALIST

About The Care Center:

The Care Center is a comprehensive and transformative educational program located in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Our mission is to provide opportunities for young mothers and all women facing systemic barriers to resume their education and acquire the education, resources, and skills for lifelong growth, wellness, and economic stability. We offer three integrated programs. Our award-winning high school equivalency program for parents under 24 pairs small-setting HiSET (GED) preparation classes with athletics, art, and poetry. Our highly supportive part-time college courses and fulltime onsite Bard Microcollege Holyoke associates degree program provide opportunities for women of all ages to begin or resume their studies. Support services to aid success include onsite daycare, nurse services, door-to-door transportation, breakfast and lunch, an individual counselor for each student, and housing resources.

Position Summary:

The Housing Specialist will serve as the lead staff in The Care Center’s collaboration with the Holyoke Housing Authority. This role’s primary function is to help Bard Microcollege Holyoke students apply for housing vouchers and then find and retain stable housing for up to five years of their college careers. The Housing Specialist will work closely with students as well as housing partners and area landlords, coordinate with local agencies to expand housing opportunities, provide ongoing support to help students remain housed, and address barriers that may put housing stability at risk.

Areas of Responsibility:

• Serve as the primary contact for Holyoke Housing Authority staff and other housing partners and work closely with The Care Center’s College Counselor for all Bard Microcollege Holyoke students she refers for housing vouchers.
• Assist eligible students through every step of the housing voucher process from the initial application until rehoming is complete, ensuring that all deadlines are met and that close communication is maintained with the Holyoke Housing Authority throughout. This process will include identifying available units, negotiating rent with prospective landlords, assisting with lease execution, and monitoring renewals and early exits from the program.
• Coordinate with local agencies and community partners to expand housing opportunities, provide ongoing support to help students maintain stable housing, and address barriers that put housing at risk.
• Oversee disbursement of The Care Center’s rehoming funds. This includes working closely with The Care Center’s billing staff for ordering home goods and sourcing home appliances when needed.
• Create systems, maintain accurate records, and assist with developing procedures, providing updates and funding data in a timely fashion.
• Carry out additional activities as requested by the Director of Student Support Services.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Commitment to The Care Center’s mission and values and to supporting the communities The Care Center serves.
• Experience in housing, case management, and/or a related social service field(s).
• Familiarity with Section 8 and other housing programs, including Housing Authority processes.
• Strong ability to build relationships with students, landlords, property managers, and community partners.
• Demonstrated ability to work closely with team members and colleagues.
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail for managing housing paperwork and deadlines.
• Systems-oriented with the ability to create, manage, and improve tracking and reporting processes.
• Strong communication and advocacy skills to support students in overcoming barriers to stable housing.
• Demonstrated professionalism, reliability, and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Associate’s Degree required. Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish strongly preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle required.
• Must pass comprehensive Background Record Check.

Hours and Location:

The Care Center is located at 247 Cabot Street in Holyoke. This is a full-time exempt position for 35 hours per week. General work hours are 8:30am-3:30pm at The Care Center, with the ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, as needed.

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary for this position is $65,000 per year. Benefits include 19 vacation days; 12 sick days; office closures in the first week of July and between Christmas and New Years; 12 paid holidays; 70% of health insurance; 100% of life and disability insurance; and a 401(k) direct employer contribution and employee match.

To Apply:

Please submit your resume to employment@carecenterholyoke.org along with a brief cover letter stating why you are interested in working for The Care Center and why you are confident that you would be a great fit for this job. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and those without cover letters will not be considered.

Notice of Inclusion:

Diversity and inclusion are crucial to our mission and we are committed to cultivating a team that reflects the communities we serve. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, The Care Center does not discriminate on the basis of an individual's sex, age, race, color, national origin, alienage, religion, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation or affectional preference, gender identity and expression, accessibility needs, citizenship, veteran or military status and other personal characteristics protected by law. As such, The Care Center strongly encourages people from marginalized communities to apply, recognizing and respecting that diverse perspectives and experiences are valuable to our team and essential to achieving our mission.