Housing Identification Specialist, Grant Service Specialist II (NCS) - Mayors Office of Homeless Services

THIS IS A NON-CIVIL SERVICE POSITION

POSTING DATE: 3/31/2025

SALARY RANGE: $43,901.00 - $69,639.00 ANNUALLY

THIS POSITION IS GRANT FUNDED THROUGH JUNE 30, 2026.

BACKGROUND CHECK

Eligible candidates under final consideration for appointment to positions identified as positions of trust will be required to complete authorization for a Criminal Background Check and/or Fingerprint must be successfully completed.

PROBATION

All persons, including current City employees, selected for this position must complete a mandatory 6-month probation.

Summary Of Position

The Mayor's Office of Homeless Services (MOHS) is the designated lead agency for the CoC and works to implement federal, state, and local policy and best practices in addition to administering and monitoring homeless services grants. MOHS administers approximately $48 million annually for programs that include street outreach, emergency shelter, transitional housing, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA), meal programs, and eviction prevention. Each year, through a network of partner providers, the homeless services program delivers housing and supportive services to over 25,000 individuals and families. More information can be found at: https://homeless.baltimorecity.gov/.

The Mayor's Office of Homeless Services (MOHS) is seeking a dynamic and experienced professional for the Housing Identification Specialist position. This position will conduct outreach and training sessions to landlords; identify and manage new housing units and other related duties as outlined below. This position reports to the Housing Manager.

Essential Functions

• Provides direct client services to individuals and families that are exiting homelessness.
• Assisting individuals with housing offers by providing housing search efforts and unit identification until leased up.
• Utilize strong communication and interpersonal skills to build rapport with diverse clients.
• Ongoing cultivation of new landlord partnerships.
• Conducts a thorough analysis of area property market conditions.
• Develops new relationships with landlords, property owners, and property management companies; ensures ongoing communication with established and existing relationships in order to address concerns as they arise throughout the housing process.
• Recruits, develops, reviews, updates, and maintains database records of landlords who are willing to rent to clients.
• Verifies required and applicable certification and documentation from landlords such as rental licenses, lead certificates.
• Increases accessibility to safe and affordable housing to clients that are experiencing homelessness.
• Manages inspection and quality control processes for the central repository of housing units; and ensures the general safety of the housing units for clients to move in.
• Conducts program audits on a regular basis to ensure compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.
• Creates a centralized inventory of available units easily accessible to housing service providers and case managers; assists providers in securing safe and affordable housing
• Conducts training sessions for landlords, housing provider program staff.
• Provides support and works closely with housing providers to assist them in locating and securing safe and affordable rental housing.
• Works closely with agency management team to develop and review program guidelines.
• Builds relationships with senior housing and tax credit programs.
• Collaborates with housing entities and other related programs in the city, other City agencies, organizations, including housing navigation specialists, landlords, and other housing advocates.
• Assume other related responsibilities as required.
  
  

Education And Experience Requirements

EDUCATION: Have a bachelor’s degree in the human services field.

OR

EXPERIENCE: Have three (3) years’ experience working with people experiencing homelessness.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge and experience about the Housing First approach.
• Knowledge about the area property market, area housing barriers and legal restrictions.
• Knowledge of financial education; social services; excellent mediation skills.
• Experience working with homeless population and the related housing barriers.
• Knowledge of regulatory standards and property management; engaging, collaborative, facilitative in nature; and able to work well with various individuals and agency staff in all positions and the community.
• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting departmental and program policies, laws, rules, regulations and procedures; ability to develop and install program procedures; ability to develop and install program procedures; ability to develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure program compliance.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; ability to present recommendations clearly and concisely; excellent communication, writing, presentation, and computer literacy skills required; an active listener and supportive team builder with strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work well in a team setting as well as independently, with very minimal supervision.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials, State and Federal officials, department managers, staff, community partners, regulatory agencies, business groups, residents, Boards, and related public groups.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
• Ability to develop and promote a culture of quality customer service.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and mediation skills.
• Excellent organizational skills; attention to detail is a must.
• Must be a self-starter and a team player
• Experience as a housing counselor/ knowledgeable of housing market preferred
• Competent working with Microsoft Office® and communication via e-mail and other social media platforms.
• Oral and written fluency in English and Spanish preferred.
• Flexibility to work off-schedule hours, especially evening hours, is a plus.
  
  

Benefits

The City of Baltimore offers a generous and competitive benefits package. You can learn about our benefits here:

https://humanresources.baltimorecity.gov/hr-divisions/benefits

NOTE: Grant Services Specialist (GSS) roles are not offered retirement benefits with the City of Baltimore.

Financial Disclosure:

This position is required to complete a Financial Disclosure pursuant to Sections 7-7, 7-8, and 7-9 of the City Ethics Law.

Baltimore City Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The City of Baltimore prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources directly. Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application.

BALTIMORE CITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER