What are the responsibilities and job description for the Diversion Navigator - Evening Shift position at Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St Paul and Minneapolis?
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Diversion Navigator
Elliot Park – Minneapolis
The mission of Catholic Charities Twin Cities is to serve those most in need and to advocate for justice in the community.
Our programs for children, families, and adults serve more than 25,000 people every year. As the need for our services grows, Catholic Charities is working to adapt and respond with strategies that prevent poverty, meet basic needs in times of crisis, and create pathways to greater stability.
WAGE RANGE: $20.90 - $24.40 / Hourly
JOB SUMMARY: Catholic Charities is seeking a compassionate, trauma-informed, and culturally aware individual to join Catholic Charities as a Diversion Navigator.
The Hennepin Shelter Hotline is the first step for all people (18 and older) looking to enter the Hennepin Co Emergency Shelter system.
As a Diversion Navigator you will operate the hotline by conducting initial screenings, crisis stabilization services, and help to divert callers from entering shelter. You will work with clients predominately over the phone. Diversion focuses on “diverting” eligible youth, single adults, and families, who would otherwise enter shelter on the day they call, to alternative housing arrangements that are safe.
A Diversion Navigator needs to work creatively and expediently to identify all viable solutions; conduct landlord negotiations, conflict resolution, housing search and linkages to mainstream services. You will mediate alternative solutions to shelter by working with the caller to stay with friends or family, or other safe alternatives to entering shelter.
In the case where a caller cannot be diverted, the Diversion Navigator will use HMIS to make a referral on the callers behalf to a shelter access point. Shelter is a very limited resource in our community, so it is important to make sure there is space available for people experiencing homelessness who don’t have any other options available to them. You are also responsible for staying current on housing stabilization programs and community resources, administering financial assistance, and tracking data and reporting and keeping abreast of changes in the field and research new methods of service delivery. This position is an essential component of the Hennepin County Continuum of Care (CoC) coordinated assessment (CA) system.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
1. Provide shelter diversion services to families seeking emergency shelter: Conduct initial screening, crisis intervention/referral, and diversion assessments; work with individual families on identifying viable diversion strategies to prevent shelter entrance
2. Implement diversion plans that may include landlord/tenant negotiations, conflict resolution, and making connections to a wide variety of community services such as childcare or car repair.
3. Work closely and collaboratively with on-site Ramsey County Financial Assistance workers to obtain verifications and connect families to mainstream resources.
4. Develop and maintain productive relationships with all coordinated assessment collaborative partners including YWCA, Ramsey County, Project Home, The Family Place, school district representatives, domestic violence shelters, 211, youth and veterans Services, and homeless prevention services to ensure families are assigned the correct level and type of service.
5. Ensure data tracking requirements are met including caller information and client and program information. Provide reports as assigned.
6. Maintain a resource referral database and stay well informed about community resources and various service providers as well as referral procedures.
7. Administer financial assistance for eligible families for damage deposits, rent and utility bills, etc. and prepare relevant correspondence and forms as necessary
8. Work with Program Manager on program evaluation and goals
9. Ensure the program significantly and consistently contributes to the positive community culture that promotes learning, diversity, problem solving, resourcefulness, accountability and excellence in serving homeless families
10. Represent Catholic Charities at community events as assigned
11. Other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Post-secondary education required.
- Two (2) years relevant experience.
- Knowledgeable about housing programs and city regulations including landlord/tenant law and foreclosure processes required
- Experience conducting intake and assessment processes
- Experience with landlord/tenant mediation and conflict resolution required
- Working knowledge of Ramsey County community resources for low-income families, system navigation and assisting people with benefit and program eligibility
- Demonstrated skill in relationship building including excellent interpersonal communication skills both written and verbal required; ability to speak a second language preferred
- Excellent computer skills including experience with HMIS and Microsoft Office products
- Familiar with coordinated assessment and shelter diversion services preferred
- Ability to work with diverse and/or low income populations, including those who may be experiencing homelessness, unstable housing, and/or mental illness required.
NICE TO HAVE:
- Bi-lingual - Spanish
JOB CLASSIFICATION: Regular; Full-Time; Salaried; Exempt
Catholic Charities is an equal opportunity employer.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all functions that are required of the employee for this job.
Salary : $21 - $24
