Housing Navigator & Benefits Specialist, Homelessness Prevention Program

This job description provides a general guideline to the most common duties, responsibilities, and minimum requirements for this position. It is not all-inclusive and the actual position may vary as circumstances indicate or as determined by the organization. Working hours are primarily a day shift position but may require varied hours to include overtime, as business needs dictate.

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

Everyone Home DC’s Family Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) supports families at risk of experiencing homelessness through mediation, flexible financial assistance, and connections to community resources with the end goal of preventing a period of homelessness. The Housing Navigator and Benefits Specialist will work closely with families who enroll in HPP+ or Short Term Rental Assistance to help them locate units affordable to them and ensure a seamless connection to benefits if relocating outside Washington, DC. This new position within our Prevention Program will assist families with housing stabilization, including benefit linkages, landlord engagement, and housing searches, while also helping HPP+ families connect with supportive services in their new jurisdictions to promote successful relocations. This position must be filled by an individual who has a passion for social justice work, is a team player, and is committed to working with people to obtain and remain in stable housing.

Principal Duties:

• Work with families to select a unit that aligns with their family's needs and preferences, considering safety, access to transportation, health care, school, daycare, support systems, and employment opportunities.
• Actively recruit and maintain a network of landlords in DC, Maryland, and Virginia who have suitable properties that meet the needs of a varying range of income levels, family size, and rental and credit histories.
• Receive referrals from the Program Manager for families who opt to use the program's short-term rental assistance.
• Work closely with families and prevention specialists to gather documents needed for housing applications and placement.
• Assist with linkages to benefits, including Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, and WIC, in the jurisdiction in which they are signing a lease.
• Work with landlords and case managers to address housing condition concerns, especially when the case manager flags serious maintenance or security concerns.
• Conduct After Care Assessment following the family’s relocation.
• Ensure that payments and relocation documents are complete and uploaded in the appropriate database.
• Input and maintain client data into Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and other relevant databases.
• Participate in all required internal and external meetings including weekly team meetings, bi-weekly staff meetings, and weekly supervision
• Carries out all duties consistent with grant requirements and internal policies and procedures.
• Participate in ongoing training and professional development opportunities.

Secondary Duties:

• Provide administrative and program support in the following areas: intake, client wellness, community building, documentation, and special projects.
• Participate in and attend ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
• Other relevant duties as assigned.

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS:

Essential Training/Certifications:

• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in a relevant humanities, social science, business administration, social work, psychology, sociology, counseling, or related service/science disciplines
• Degree requirements may be substituted for three (3) years of work experience in a social service and/or human service field, business administration, or experience involving engagement with landlords or property managers, in real estate, or conducting appropriate connections of individuals, especially those experiencing homelessness, to housing services.
• One year of experience involving engagement with landlords or property managers, in real estate, or conducting appropriate connections of individuals, especially those experiencing homelessness, to housing services.
• Individuals with lived experience are encouraged to apply.

Essential Use of the Following Tools:

• Ability to learn computer software programs to enter and maintain accurate data/information in appropriate platforms, including the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Suite/Drive
• Proficiency with standard office equipment: phone system, copier/printer, fax, scanner
• A valid driver’s license and an insured motor vehicle are required for this position.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Familiarity and knowledge of the social service providers and public benefits programs in DC, Maryland and Virginia is preferred
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Exceptional ability to multitask and excellent organizational skills. This includes attention to detail, problem-solving, time management, and the ability to follow through on projects and meet deadlines.
• Excellent case management skills with a proven track record of success.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of highly sensitive information, and demonstrated professionalism, reliability, and responsibility.
• Bilingual English/Spanish speakers or Spanish-language written/verbal communication skills at a professional working proficiency are preferred but not required.

Essential Competencies and Behaviors:

• Ability to work in a team-oriented environment as well as independently with minimal supervision.
• Capacity to build relationships with clients, colleagues, and community members.
• Demonstrated respect for diversity based on race, class, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and gender presentation, and ability to work with a highly diverse group of clients and colleagues.
• Commitment to building your racial equity competencies and centering your role in an analysis and understanding of how race and power shape systems in our society and culture; Commitment to continuous learning, reflecting, and growing.
• Ability to operate with a commitment to excellence, integrity, diplomacy, and camaraderie.

Other requirements:

• A valid driver’s license and ownership of an insured and reliable motor vehicle. This position requires substantial driving.
• Ability to pass background checks including FBI, MPD and home jurisdiction, Child and Family

Services Agency Background Check in DC as well as your home state if they differ, National Sex Offender Registry, Alcohol, Drug and TB screening as required by the government contract.

• Able to handle physically demanding work including lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs.

Benefits Everyone Home DC’s standard benefits for full-time staff include: excellent employer-paid single coverage health insurance; dental and vision insurance; 401k retirement plan with automatic 3% employer contribution from date of hire; employer-paid single coverage life insurance; short term disability; worker’s compensation; family medical leave; bereavement leave; jury duty leave; Metro SmartBenefits; annual funds for professional development training; 13 paid holidays; and generous paid time off including the week between December 25th and January 2nd.

Location

This is a position based at Everyone Home DC’s offices located at 415 2nd Street NE. In-person office and fieldwork are required up to 5 days per week, with some opportunities for hybrid work at home.

Everyone Home DC values diversity in our workplace and encourages Black, Indigenous, People of Color, members of the LGBTQ2+ community and people with disabilities to apply.

This position is available immediately. Applications will be

reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please send a cover

letter, resume, and three professional references to jobs@everyonehomedc.org.

Indicate "Housing Navigator and Benefits Specialist " in the subject line.

Only complete applications will be accepted. No phone calls, please.

Benefits Everyone Home DC’s standard benefits for full-time staff include: excellent employer-paid single coverage health insurance; dental and vision insurance; 401k retirement plan with automatic 3% employer contribution from date of hire; employer-paid single coverage life insurance; short term disability; worker’s compensation; family medical leave; bereavement leave; jury duty leave; Metro SmartBenefits; annual funds for professional development training; 13 paid holidays; and generous paid time off including the week between December 25th and January 2nd.