HOUSING NAVIGATOR

JOB SUMMARY
This position will be responsible for providing client-centered case management services for homeless individuals and families. The Housing Navigator will conduct outreach to the community, business owners, realtors, landlords, housing developers, and other service providers to identify new and existing housing opportunities. The Ideal candidate will build strong relationships within the community to better assist participants in accessing resources, and supportive services for obtaining housing stability.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• The employee is responsible for all functions pertaining to the determination of Housing Quality Standards (HQS) in accordance with Federal Regulations, City and County building codes for private sector rental units rented by participants of the Voucher Programs.
• Duties will also include administrative task:
  • Preparing reports; data entry; maintain relationships with participants and landlords; recordkeeping, determination of contract rent amounts for housing comparable in the private sector; knowledge and application of the Florida Landlord and Tenant Act as it applies to job functions.
• Assists clients to maintain independent households, assuring regular and personal contact for social interaction. 
• Conducts home visits to assess barriers to independent living as applicable.
• Communicates with clients one to three days before a foreseen hurricane/natural disaster according to emergency plan procedures.
• Supports appointment scheduling with participants and landlords. 
• Keeps current list of all agency employee contact phone numbers including alternate numbers.
• Receives and tracks e-mails from supervisors that inform of staff absences daily including staff covering the absent person’s work.
• Participate in phone conversations with clients and landlord’s who are attempting to access services, provides them with accurate and timely information.
•  Requests updates from departmental supervisors to resolve problems with staff’s schedules to ensure accuracy.
• Reports on various concerns, complaints and compliments received via phone.
• Transfers complaints directly to the manager responsible for the area of concern.
• Participates in staff training sessions, mandatory meetings and other events as required by the agency and/or the funding sources.
• Participates in agency developmental activities as requested.
• Other duties as assigned.

SAFETY
• Maintains health centers’ guidelines relating to safety, confidentiality, and HIPAA regulations.
• Ensure proper hand washing according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
• Understands and appropriately acts upon assigned role in Emergency Code System.
• Understands and performs assigned role in agency’s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP).

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Education:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major courses in human services, social services, psychology or business, OR a High School Diploma or GED plus four (4) years’ experiences working with homeless population; and two years of related experience in case management services, affordable housing, working with the homeless and mentally ill populations.

OR

High School Diploma or GED plus four (4) years’ experiences working with homeless population; and two years of related experience in case management services, affordable housing, working with the homeless and mentally ill populations.

MUST be highly motivated self-starter and ability to coordinate multiple projects/tasks simultaneously in a high-pressured environment; could work with diverse communities and exercise mature judgment; and possess sensitivity to needs and issues of homeless persons, persons living with trauma, persons with disability (mental illness, alcohol, and other drug problems, etc.).

Training and Experience:
• Two years of related experience is required. Training in HIV/AIDS preferred.
• A valid Florida driver’s license is required.
• Employee must successfully pass the HQS Inspector certification exam within one year of employment.
• WORD and EXCEL assessments will be administered to assist with determining the most qualified applicants.

Job Knowledge and Skills:
Bilingual (English Spanish/ English-Creole) is preferred. Computer knowledge should include Care Resource phone system, Word, Excel, and Outlook. Must become knowledgeable about agency databases (HMIS, CASEWATCH). Excellent customer service, phone etiquette and communication skills are needed to handle multi telephone lines and tasks and work with very high call volumes. Good organizational and teamwork skills are required to prioritize workflow. Must maintain punctuality and perform in a detail oriented and accurate manner at all times. The ability to work with a multicultural and diverse population is required.

Contact Responsibility:
The responsibility for internal and external contacts is frequent and important.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
This work requires the following physical activities: frequent sitting, bending, standing, walking, talking in person and talking on the phone. Occasional driving, stretching/reaching and lifting up to 50 lbs. are required. Work usually is performed in an office setting.