Behavioral Health Services Housing Navigator I/II

BHS Housing Navigator I
Definition:
The Housing Navigator assists individuals experiencing homelessness in reducing barriers to housing and accessing permanent housing that suits their specific needs. Strong client engagement skills are essential for working with a complex and diverse population. The position requires effective communication and teamwork with both internal and community partners. Additionally, strong organizational skills and computer literacy are needed to track and manage client data and assist clients with online applications.

Distinguishing Characteristics:
This is the entry and first working level in the Behavioral Health Housing Navigator class series. Incumbents are responsible for assisting clients experiencing homelessness in reducing barriers to housing and accessing permanent housing. When incumbents have demonstrated sufficient work skills or/and gained related educational experience, they can be eligible for promotion to the Behavioral Health Housing Navigator II level. This classification is distinguished from the Behavioral Health Housing Navigator I class in that Behavioral Health Housing Navigator II incumbents are expected to provide a broader array of client support services, have additional training/education requirements, and be responsible for an assigned specialty area. This classification may be flexibly staffed, if allocated to the hiring department as flexibly staffed.

Reports to:
Behavioral Health Systems Administrator, Program Manager, or Supervising Behavioral Health Specialist.

Classification Supervised:
This is not a supervisory class.

BHS Housing Navigator II
Definition
The Housing Navigator assists individuals experiencing homelessness in reducing barriers to housing and accessing permanent housing that suits their specific needs. Strong client engagement skills are essential for working with a complex and diverse population. The position requires effective communication and teamwork with both internal and community partners. Additionally, strong organizational skills and computer literacy are needed to track and manage client data and assist clients with online applications.

Distinguishing Characteristics
This is the fully experienced working level in the Behavioral Health Housing Navigator class series. Incumbents are responsible for assisting clients experiencing homelessness in reducing barriers to housing and accessing permanent housing. This classification is distinguished from the Behavioral Health Housing Navigator I class in that Behavioral Health Housing Navigator II incumbents are expected to provide a broader array of client support services, have additional training/education requirements, and be responsible for an assigned specialty area. This classification may be flexibly staffed, if allocated to the hiring department as flexibly staffed.

Reports to
Behavioral Health Systems Administrator, Program Manager, or Supervising Behavioral Health Specialist. 

Classifications Supervised
This is not a supervisory class.BHS Housing Navigator I
The Housing Navigator will provide navigation services to help clients achieve housing stability. This role will support residents of the micro-shelter village in Yreka, as well as other individuals experiencing homelessness throughout Siskiyou County. The Housing Navigator is responsible for finding stable housing for clients, assisting them with the application and move-in process, and helping them maintain their housing. This role is expected to form strong working relationships with local property managers and landlords, to increase the amount of housing available and maintain housing placements. Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
To assist clients in finding housing, the Housing Navigator will:

• Build professional relationships with landlords and other local housing providers to identify rental opportunities and offer permanent housing options for clients.
• Work with clients to assess their housing needs and develop an action plan.
• Address and reduce barriers to securing housing, including supporting clients in improving their credit scores and rental histories.
• Help clients explore the rental market for affordable options and advocate for clients with potential landlords.

To help clients secure and move into housing, the Housing Navigator will:

• Assist with completing housing applications and collecting client references
• Help gather necessary move-in documentation
• Conduct housing inspections and assist with transportation needs
• Coordinate with various subsidy programs as available and applicable to the client.

To help clients maintain housing, the Housing Navigator will:

• Know each client’s individual housing plan
• Maintain and update client records
• Conduct client housing retention interviews 
• Provide tenant education and other ongoing supports
• Perform other duties as required

Knowledge of: 

• Strong customer service approach.
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn client engagement techniques such as Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, and Housing First Principles.
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn about Siskiyou County housing resources. 
• Strong communication skills.
• Moderate skills in a Microsoft Windows environment, including use of Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Proficiency in verbal and written communication in English.
• Moderate to advanced problem-solving skills.

Ability to:

• To work in a variety of work settings.
• Implement sound judgment to support making appropriate decisions to benefit clients.
• Prioritize tasks and complete them on a timely basis with minimal supervision.
• To deal with change and seek out opportunities to support clients.

BHS Housing Navigator II

The Housing Navigator will provide navigation services to help clients achieve housing stability. This role will support residents of the micro-shelter village in Yreka, as well as other individuals experiencing homelessness throughout Siskiyou County. The Housing Navigator is responsible for finding stable housing for clients, assisting them with the application and move-in process, and helping them maintain their housing. This role is expected to form strong working relationships with local property managers and landlords, to increase the amount of housing available and maintain housing placements. Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
To assist clients in finding housing, the Housing Navigator will:

• Build professional relationships with landlords and other local housing providers to identify rental opportunities and offer permanent housing options for clients.
• Conduct landlord/property management outreach and relationship building.
• Develop rapport and communication with both property managers and program clients.
• Work with clients to assess their housing needs and develop an action plan.
• Address and reduce barriers to securing housing, including supporting clients in improving their credit scores and rental histories.
• Help clients explore the rental market for affordable options and advocate for clients with potential landlords.
• Attend trainings, workshops, and conferences related to the position.

To help clients secure and move into housing, the Housing Navigator will:

• Assist with completing housing applications and collecting client references
• Help gather necessary move-in documentation
• Act as client advocate in securing appropriate housing.
• Conduct housing inspections and assist with transportation needs
• Coordinate with various subsidy programs as available and applicable to the client.

To help clients maintain housing, the Housing Navigator will:

• Know each client’s individual housing plan
• Maintain and update client records
• Conduct client housing retention interviews 
• Provide tenant education and other ongoing supports
• Perform other duties as required
• Coordinate regularly with Housing Navigators, Case Managers, and Peers including attending collaborative working group meetings.

Knowledge of: 

• Strong customer service approach.
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn client engagement techniques such as Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, and Housing First Principles.
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn about Siskiyou County housing resources. 
• Strong communication skills.
• Moderate skills in a Microsoft Windows environment, including use of Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Proficiency in verbal and written communication in English.
• Moderate to advanced problem-solving skills.
• Basic principles and trends of affordable housing.
• Federal and State housing regulations, programs, and procedures. 
• Community resources.
• Public social service and assistance programs.
• Interviewing and record-keeping techniques.
• Knowledge of the specialized program area assigned.
• County and State affordable housing policies, procedures, and programs.
• Housing inspection procedures. 

Ability to:

• To work in a variety of work settings.
• Implement sound judgment to support making appropriate decisions to benefit clients.
• Prioritize tasks and complete them on a timely basis with minimal supervision.
• To deal with change and seek out opportunities to support clients. 

Training and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be: 
BHS Housing Navigator I

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Excellent people skills and customer service orientation.
• Experience working with individuals who have a history of homelessness, substance use, and mental health challenges is preferred but not required.  
• Property management or real estate experience is a plus.
• Lived experience with homelessness is a plus.

Special Requirements:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid and appropriate driver's license.

BHS Housing Navigator II

Possession of an AA, BA or MA with a focus in a behavioral or social science area, including, but not limited to Addiction, Psychology, Sociology, Recreation, Child Care, Social Work, Counseling, and related fields. Two years of responsible experience in providing specialized Behavioral Health program service comparable to a Behavioral Health Housing Navigator I with Siskiyou County.
AND

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Excellent people skills and customer service orientation.
• Experience working with individuals who have a history of homelessness, substance use, and mental health challenges is preferred but not required.  
• Property management or real estate experience is a plus
• Lived experience with homelessness is a plus

Special Requirements:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver's license. 

Typical Physical Requirements
Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk;  normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to 25 pounds; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copiers, and FAX.
 
Typical Working Conditions
Work is performed in office, clinic, or community environments; work is performed with people who may exhibit unstable and potentially violent behavior; continuous contact with other staff and the public.

Salary : $42,453 - $62,317