Housing Counselor I

Working at Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) means doing work that matters every day because of the difference you will make in the lives of children and families in Northern Virginia. NVFS’ breadth, depth and scope of services offer the resources and support to ensure that everyone in need, at every stage of life, maximizes their potential and fully contributes to a thriving community. At NVFS, we value the diversity of backgrounds, experience, perspectives, and skillsets that we collectively provide to our community, clients and coworkers. We celebrate and thrive on our differences and welcome everyone’s unique contributions.

Join the NVFS Family: We are looking to hire a Housing Counselor to join the NVFS Homeless Services team in our Manassas SRVE Campus! As the Housing Counselor, you will provide assistance in building client self-sufficiency around family systems, housing, budgeting, employment, educational training, health, and other human services, with an emphasis on long-term economic and housing stability in keeping with the Housing 1st goals. As the Housing Counselor, you could be assigned to residential or community-based clients in Prince William County or Loudon County.

The Housing Counselor team supports clients in three primary areas as follows and the Housing Counselor may be assigned to any of the following:

• Prevention Services: May work directly with guests and providers to prevent clients from entering homelessness through preventative engagement.
• Shelter Support Services: These may include case management and coordination, job development, and referrals for all other needed services.
• Rapid Rehousing: May involve landlord recruitment, documentation of services, and coordination of financial services for accessing housing. Work may cover all RRH programs, including community and needs based programs.

Benefits and Compensation: We want you to be well, have work/life flexibility, grow your career with us, and have the resources and support you need. Check out our comprehensive benefit offerings here in support of various dimensions of your wellbeing.

This position has a salary in the mid 40s.

In this role, you will:

Prevention Services:

• Manage a caseload of specific clients including developing Service Goal Plan, budgeting, and monitoring of client’s compliance with program rules.
• Conduct and document client meetings to monitor progress.
• Conduct phone follow-up after completion of the program.
• Conduct outreach and establish network of community resources and services.
• Facilitate support-educational groups to educate clients on various issues including basics of renting, fair housing, self-esteem, safety, parenting, childcare, nutrition, money management, credit counseling, home maintenance, and good housekeeping skills.
• Make referrals to other services as needed and work with other community providers to provide collaborative services to clients.
• Conduct unit inspections to ensure compliance with safety and federal/funder regulations.
• Conduct and document home visits to document progress and ensure that clients still meet program guidelines and eligibility.
• Process re-certifications as per funder’s requirements.
• Outreach to landlords for mediation, negotiation, and tenant relations.
• Monitor direct assistance that can be used for financial support, rent, utility, and security deposit payments.
• Compile and prepare appropriate tenant/landlord contracts and landlord check request payments to ensure timely delivery.
• Participate in regular supervision with supervisor by providing regular updates and preparing case presentations.
• Maintain client files in accordance with program requirements and NVFS guidelines.
• Maintain current level of knowledge on program software and other information on housing assistance programs.
• Enter data for record keeping and reporting to meet relevant guidelines.
• Comply with the Standards and Ethics for Housing Counseling
• Responsible for maintaining certification CEUs if certified.

Shelter Support Services:

• Conduct comprehensive initial screening process to determine eligibility for program services, providing assessment, intake and enrollment where appropriate.
• Manage a caseload of specific clients including developing Service Goal Plan, budgeting, and monitoring of client’s compliance with program rules.
• Conduct and document client meetings to monitor progress.
• Conduct outreach and establish network of community resources and services.
• Make referrals to other services as needed and work with other community providers to provide collaborative services to clients.
• Participate in regular supervision with supervisor by providing regular updates and preparing case presentations.
• Maintain client files in accordance with program requirements and NVFS guidelines.
• Maintain current level of knowledge on program software and other information on housing assistance programs.
• Enter data for record keeping and reporting to meet relevant guidelines.
• Comply with the Standards and Ethics for Housing Counseling
• Responsible for maintaining certification CEUs if certified.

Your Background: We understand that you may obtain skills through a variety of professional, personal, educational, and volunteer experiences.

• Prefer one of the following:

• • Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from an accredited college; OR
  • Associate’s degree with at least two (2) years of related work experience; OR
  • At least four (4) years of related work experience with no relevant education.

• At least one (1) year of case management experience specializing in human services preferred.
• Experience providing direct services to individuals in crisis preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact effectively with a diverse client base and landlords.
• Oral and written fluency in English; fluency in a client language such as Spanish, Farsi or Hindi a plus.
• Proficiency in usage of basic technological tools including laptops/computers, email, phones, and internet; working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Must be able to demonstrate and live the organizational values of Communication, Integrity, Respect, Collaboration, and Accountability.

Additional Requirements:

• Must have reliable transportation to visit client homes and other designated community locations
• Successful completion of background checks required upon hire
• May be called upon to work beyond normal working hours
• Must be comfortable with varying home conditions

NVFS is committed to advancing equity, embracing diversity, and promoting inclusion and is an equal opportunity employer. NVFS is an E-Verify participant and drug-free workplace.

NVFS values diversity in our workforce. We strongly encourage all interested individuals to apply, including people of color, all genders and gender identities, people of all abilities, LGBTQ individuals, other members of marginalized communities, veterans and national service alumni.

Experience

• 1 year(s): Case management experience specializing in human services

Education

• Associates or better
• Bachelors or better in Social Work or related field

Skills

• Computer-Microsoft Office Suite