Demo

Housing Specialist

Center for Immigrant & Refugee Advancement
Omaha, NE Full Time
POSTED ON 12/21/2024
AVAILABLE BEFORE 3/19/2025
POSITION TITLE:      Housing Coordinator
REPORTS TO:            Resettlement & Placement Program Manager
WORKSITE:               Omaha, Nebraska

ORGANIZATIONAL DESCRIPTION:
In 2022, Immigrant Legal Center and Refugee Empowerment Center merged, and the combined nonprofit organization is now CIRA, the Center for Immigrant & Refugee Advancement. Our diverse team of experts provides exceptional, compassionate legal representation, refugee services, and social work services. We take on the most complex immigration cases, resettle refugees from around the world, and ensure all clients have access to much-needed resources. Operating in 10 different offices from Council Bluffs to Scottsbluff, our team of more than 100 full-time employees help communities welcome immigrants and refugees as they build their lives here. We assist with all forms of family and humanitarian-based immigration, and we never turn any family away due to inability to pay. To learn more, visit CIRAconnect.org.

POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Housing Specialist is an integral part of CIRA’s Resettlement & Placement (R&P) Program. The Housing Team is a crucial entity for R&P, providing housing is a social determinate of refugees’ success resettling into Omaha. The Housing Team provides the foundational need for safe shelter, housing support and education for newly arrived refugees. The Housing Team has provided safe affordable housing to 900 total individuals in Nebraska since 2022.  


The Housing Specialist will report directly to the program manager and play a crucial role in assisting with the procurement of safe, affordable housing and ongoing support for newly arrived refugees in Omaha and Lincoln. We are looking for a compassionate individual who is passionate about welcoming refugees and immigrants to Nebraska and possesses a strong sense of cultural awareness.

The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills, a sense of urgency in addressing client needs, and either lived or professional experience working with refugees and immigrants, along with a deep cultural competence and passion for serving the refugee community. This position provides trauma-informed services to refugees and qualified immigrants, ensuring a positive resettlement experience and fostering client self-sufficiency.



CORE FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION
 
  • Lead efforts to locate and secure housing for large refugee families (4 members) in Omaha, utilizing the Landlord Contacts & Lease Information directory.
  • Act swiftly to ensure safe, affordable housing is secured when suitable options are identified.
  • Clearly explain leasing agreements, housing procedures, and tenant responsibilities to refugee families (with interpreter support as needed).
  • Address minor maintenance issues and educate clients on rent payments, utilities, and landlord interactions during case closure.
  • Provide accurate case notes for reports.
  • Coordinate timely pre- and post-arrival services to ensure clients have living essentials and are oriented to their new environment.
  • Arrange for interpreters based on clients' language needs to ensure effective communication during all meetings.
  • Document each client interaction per program requirements, inputting information into databases and assisting with tracking and reporting.
  • Collaborate effectively with coworkers and partner organizations; build and maintain relationships with local service providers for client benefit.
  • Attend all required program meetings and trainings.
  • Support refugees in developing self-advocacy skills for future landlord interactions.
  • Complete Metro Housing Collaborative Referral forms and assist clients in setting up utility accounts as needed.
  • Occasionally assist with furniture movement (up to 25 pounds).
  • Use a personal, insured vehicle to travel and transport clients and materials as necessary within the service area.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.


QUALIFICATIONS:
  • 1–3 years of lived or professional experience working with refugee and immigrant communities, or equivalent experience preferred.
  • 1–3 years of demonstrated ability in trauma-informed case management or social work services preferred.
  • Fluent in English (written and oral); fluency in additional languages is strongly preferred.
  • Familiarity with community resources in Omaha and Lincoln for refugees and immigrants is preferred.
  • Strong commitment to CIRA's mission and values in serving immigrants/refugees/newcomers.
  • Deep understanding of and sensitivity to diverse backgrounds, including national, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender identities, and socioeconomic factors.
  • Proficient in Office 365 applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint) with the ability to learn new software quickly.
  • Exceptional interpersonal communication and customer service skills.
  • Strong multi-tasking abilities, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills during client interactions.
  • Dependable, self-disciplined, and flexible, with effective time management and attendance.
  • Open to departmental and organizational changes, comfortable in a rapidly evolving environment.
  • Availability to occasionally work nights or weekends as needed while maintaining a 40-hour work week through flexible scheduling.
  • Valid driver’s license, self-insured vehicle, and clean driving record required.
  • Ability to pass all required background checks.
  • Must be authorized to work in the United States.


INCLUSION & EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
Center for Immigrant & Refugee Advancement is dedicated to the belief that all lives have equal value. We are committed to creating a workplace where employees thrive both personally and professionally. We also believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve – in race, gender, age, cultures, and beliefs – and we support this diversity through all our employment practices.

Center for Immigrant & Refugee Advancement is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity. We do not discriminate based on an individual’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, military service, or any characteristics prohibited by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment at CIRA, including recruiting, hiring, assignments, training, promotions, compensation, employee benefits, employee discipline and discharge, and all other terms and conditions of employment.





WORKING CONDITIONS
  • Workdays pertain to a Monday – Friday schedule, with some weekends and nights required based on client needs. If necessary to work outside of regular office hours, flextime is available.



COMPENSATION   
  • Pay rate starting at $50,000, commensurate with experience.
  • Excellent benefits including:
    • Unlimited paid time off; 9 paid holidays with year-end holiday break
    • Medical, dental, vision, life, and AD&D insurance; employee assistance program; 403b retirement plan with an automatic 5% contribution; and FMLA
    • Yearly stipends for employee development opportunities 
    • Relocation assistance; travel and expense reimbursement


TO APPLY
  • Please upload a cover letter, resume, and three professional references all in PDF format to the job application link.

Salary : $50,000

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