OCEAN Navigator

Department: Client Services
Reports To: Supportive Housing Manager
Location: Salem or Eugene
Position Type: 1.0 FTE, 40 Hours/Week, Non-Exempt
Work Type: In Person, Not Hybrid/Remote Eligible
Salary Range: $22.50 - $23.85 Per Hour
Salary Note: Bilingual candidates are eligible for an additional $1.50 Bilingual Differential. This Bilingual Differential is not included in the salary range above.
Benefits Available: Read more at http://hivalliance.org/employment/benefits
Agency Overview: Read more at https://hivalliance.org/engage/careers-at-hivalliance/
External Applicants: Apply directly through our website, via the Agency Overview link. All applicants must submit a complete job application, supplemental questions, and resume via the job portal to be considered.

Position Summary: The OCEAN Navigator, (Oregon Carceral Engagement and Access Network), works in HIV Alliance’s Client Services department and in coordination with the statewide OCEAN team which includes OCEAN Navigators across the state and a Release Coordinator within Oregon Department of Corrections. The Navigator primarily works with individuals living with HIV who are being released, or have recently been released, from incarceration in the state of Oregon, and are releasing into one of our 15 county service area. The Navigator will focus on delivering housing case management, advocacy, and support to ease clients’ reintegration into the community and ensure access to necessary resources.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Travel: Frequently travel across 15-county service area to provide in-person services, including home, carceral, and/or community visits
• Client Management: Carry an active caseload of eligible clients, providing supportive case management and housing navigation services.
• Assessments & Planning: Conduct OCEAN and Ryan White Eligibility intakes, comprehensive assessments, and goal planning to identify housing needs and barriers prior to client release. Develop individualized service plans based on assessments and available resources.
• Housing Support: Research and identify suitable housing options, including motel placements, permanent supportive housing, and emergency shelters. Advocate for client needs with prospective landlords.
• Coordination of Services: Work collaboratively with care coordination and medical case managers, providers, community partners to facilitate access to HIV care, social services, mental health services, and public benefits.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate and timely documentation of client interactions, placements, services provided, and progress updates in agency databases.
• Community Engagement: Build partnerships with local property managers, housing authorities, and shelters to enhance housing placement opportunities. Attend relevant community meetings and participate in ongoing training and professional development.
• Crisis Intervention: Respond to housing-related crises, including eviction prevention and emergency relocation assistance.
• Collaboration with Corrections: Engage with clients in incarceration to build rapport and facilitate collaborative planning with the OCEAN Department of Corrections Release Coordinator.
Other tasks as assigned, including training/cross-training other staff as needed

Required Qualifications:

• TB test (provided at agency)
• Valid Oregon driver’s license, or valid out of state driver’s license with the ability to get an Oregon driver’s license within 30 days of establishing residency in Oregon, and a driving record sufficient to be covered by agency auto insurance policy.
• Ability to pass agency criminal background check
Bachelor's degree in social work/human services related field or 2 years full-time case management experience, or equivalent combination of relevant and/or related experience and education

Professional Competencies:

• Interpersonal Communication & Conflict Management (proactively communicates effectively, listens carefully to others, exhibits acceptable standards of conduct, deals effectively with others in difficult situations, works to reduce tension & conflict)
• Organizational Awareness (takes time to learn about agency culture, policies, and procedures; recognizes and balances the interest and impact of one’s department with those of other departments, programs, and the agency as a whole)
• Embraces Change (actively identifies problems and opportunities for change, implements solutions where appropriate, maintains effectiveness & adjusts well when experiencing changes in work tasks, environment, processes, and requirements)
• Living the Agency Vision & Values (demonstrates an understanding of agency vision and values, keeping the vision and values at the forefront of decision making)
• Client & Customer Focused (keeps client and customer needs a primary focus; develops and sustains productive relationships with clients, customers, & partners)
Valuing Diversity (appreciates and leverages the capabilities, insights, & ideas of all individuals; works effectively with individuals of diverse style, ability, & motivation)

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to

• Repetitively use hands, including grasping, twisting/turning of wrists, and finger dexterity to perform various necessary clerical duties, such as typing and writing.
• Frequently use arms, such as pushing & pulling to open/close drawers, cabinets, etc.
• Sit and/or stand for extended periods of time at an assigned station
• Bend, stand, & reach to be able to transport clients and to lift and carry up to 25 pounds for tasks such as building kits & assembling testing/educational materials.
• Use continuous clarity of vision at 20 inches or less for processing of paperwork

The physical demands described above here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Working Conditions, Travel, and Environment:

The duties of this job require individuals to be able to work in non-traditional and community-based settings. Additionally, the duties of this job include travel to other locations necessary to complete essential job functions, including the ability to transport self to job-related events and locations. This role requires regular reliable attendance, including:

• Ability to work flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends
• Ability to work 5 days per week for a minimum of 40 hours per week
• Ability to work in loud, crowded, busy, or escalated environments
• Ability to drive at night and during various weather conditions safely