Housing Justice Outreach Specialist

Location: Pomona (headquarters) and various locations across the Inland Valley

Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Reports to: Housing Justice Program Manager

Rate: $23.13 per hour

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9-5:30pm, occasional evenings and weekends

Contract End Date: 5 months from start date

• This position will be reviewed 5 months from the start date and may be renewed based on availability of funding

Who We Are:

Pomona Economic Opportunity Center’s (PEOC) mission is to empower low-wage immigrant workers in Pomona and across the Inland Empire (IE) – Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. We work towards a vision of a more just, equitable, healthier, safer, and welcoming society for immigrants and low-wage workers where they are no longer invisible or silenced, have a positive relationship with formal institutions, and have a more effective voice with policymakers in a society where all people have ample opportunity to thrive. We further our values of dignity, accountability, and justice through our three areas of work: Worker Rights (WR), Immigrant Rights (IR), and Housing Justice (HJ).

About the Pomona HJ Department:

The HJ Department engages in education and outreach, tenant navigation, eviction defense, tenant organizing, and leadership development, as well as policy advocacy and campaigns that push for improving housing justice-related policy in Pomona and the Inland Empire, conserving current housing stock by retrofitting and bringing it up to standards, and building more affordable housing.

Position Summary:

The HJ Outreach Specialist supports the general operations of the Housing Justice program, including providing direct assistance, conducting outreach, educating clients about their rights as tenants, and advocating on their behalf. The HJ Outreach Specialist also works closely with community partners, representing the organization at community meetings, conferences, community meetings, and coalitions focused on housing issues and homelessness prevention.

Job Responsibilities:

• Advocate on behalf of clients with landlords, property managers, and housing authorities to resolve issues related to housing applications, lease agreements, evictions, and tenant rights
• Provide direct assistance and emotional support to clients navigating stressful or difficult housing situations, including assessing their housing needs and offering guidance on available resources
• Conduct outreach activities to raise awareness about housing resources by creating and distributing outreach materials including flyers, newsletters, email campaigns, and social media posts
• Provide information and facilitate workshops or informational sessions on tenant rights, evictions, fair housing laws, options for securing stable housing, and legal protections related to housing discrimination
• Track key metrics and trends related to housing assistance and homelessness prevention to inform program improvements, including maintaining accurate and up-to-date client files and preparing regular reports for the Housing Justice Manager
• Work closely with community partners, including shelters, legal aid organizations, social service agencies, and local government entities, to ensure clients are receiving comprehensive support
• Participate and represent the organization at community and coalition meetings, conferences, and other public events focused on housing issues and homelessness prevention
• Collaborate with other teams, including outreach and communications committees, to support organizational goals
• Answer and direct phone calls, emails, and other communications

Additional Requirements:

• Must have own transportation, a valid driver’s license, and car insurance
• Bi-lingual English and Spanish are preferred

Qualifications:

• Ability to collaborate and work effectively with people from a broad range of backgrounds
• Knowledge of and commitment to the day labor movement, immigrant rights, and social justice
• Strong communication, written and oral, and facilitation skills in English/Spanish
• Dedication and ability to work flexible, early morning hours, including Saturdays (may substitute chosen day of the week to work Saturdays)
• Basic knowledge of computer operations (Windows, Word, Excel, email, etc.) and office equipment such as copiers, fax machines and telephone
• Administrative and organizational skills necessary to carry out job description responsibilities
• Ability to deal with conflict resolution and crisis management

Physical Demands:

Employees must be able to maneuver throughout the community in various locations of unknown accessibility and do phone or computer work for blocks of time. They must also be able to lift and move paperwork and files up to twenty (20) pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Work Environment:

A modular building located next to the 71 Freeway serves as the office; street corners and parking lots where day laborers congregate, and neighborhood door-to-door knocking on occasion.

Benefits:

• Health insurance coverage
• One (1) week paid vacation for the first two (2) years, then two (2) weeks vacation after that
• Paid holiday and sick days
• Two (2) week office closure for winter break

PEOC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, military status, genetics, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local laws.