Bilingual Housing Navigation Specialist (Mental Health Associate) - Residential & Support Svcs

This recruitment has been reopened for additional applicants and will remain open until filled. If you have already applied for recruitment #551-2025-1, you do not need to reapply. New applicants are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible as this recruitment may close at any time without further notice.

Marion County Health and Human Services Division is seeking someone who is compassionate, organized, collaborative, and a good communicator to be a Housing Navigation Specialist who will work with individuals to ensure long term stable housing. This position will support the Health-Related Social Needs program, working with individuals and families who experience a mental health condition, substance use condition, or an intellectual and/or developmental disability.  This position provides services to monolingual Spanish-speaking individuals; therefore, fluent bilingual Spanish/English skills are required.  Interested candidates will understand person centered principles and behavioral health concepts, have professional experience in public services and experience working with vulnerable individuals to obtain housing and other resources.

The Housing Navigation Specialist will also work to develop and maintain available housing resources, connect with community partners, and maintain relationships with property managers/landlords.  This position works with case managers, housing specialists, and other external agencies to provide housing navigation to vulnerable individuals and families.  The person hired in this position should have knowledge of community resources, know how to complete service plans, and have the ability to understand and articulate outcome measures in monthly and quarterly reports.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES 
Provides individual and group recreational, social and skills training services under a professionally developed service plan; keeps records of persons served status; performs service plan directed case management functions under close supervision; performs related duties as required.  Primary responsibility of this class is to assist and support other mental health professionals, without primary responsibility for a caseload.
 
SUPERVISION RECEIVED 
Works under close supervision of a supervisor who assigns work, establishes goals, and reviews the results obtained for overall effectiveness.
 
SUPERVISION EXERCISED 
Supervision of others is not a responsibility of positions in this classification.

• Have an understanding of Health-Related Social Needs and the 1115 Waiver.  
• Have an understanding of local housing market, HUD principles and various vouchers, and develop and maintain positive relationships with local landlords. 
• Work directly with individuals who are houseless, or at risk of losing their housing, to find permanent, safe housing.  
• Develop person-centered housing plans that ensure individuals and families reach long-term success.  
• Provides screening assessments to individuals needing housing navigation services.  
• Provides home and community-based tenancy services, case management, skills training, and outreach services to help individuals engage and receive treatment from community providers including mental health, chemical dependency, and physical health care providers.  
• Requires ability to work independently, managing multiple individual’s needs and directives simultaneously.  
• Complete documentation to support data driven informed practices and bill fee-for-service when providing tenancy services, case management, and skills training.   
• Become a trainer for Rent-Well or Ready to Rent tenant education classes for monolingual or bilingual individuals.  
• Work with other MCHHS team members and supervisor for clinical supervision, supports and service planning, team meetings and trainings regarding housing options for individuals.
• Perform other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

Response Level 2: In the event of an emergency, employee makes a reasonable effort to report to work. Employee may be required to perform duties outside of their regularly assigned duties. Employee may be requested to work an extended or flexible schedule. Staff at this response level must complete Incident Command System 100 and 700 on-line or in-person training.EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

1. Three years relevant work experience in a behavioral health services field; OR 
2. Bachelor's degree in a behavioral science field; OR 
3. Any satisfactory combination of work, education, training or experience relevant to the position, as determined by Marion County. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• This position provides services to monolingual Spanish-speaking individuals; therefore, fluent bilingual Spanish/English skills are required. An additional 5% will be added to the hourly wage as compensation for this skill. Finalist will be required to pass a verbal and written Standardized Spanish/English Fluency Assessment as part of the hiring process.
• Must possess a current Mental Health & Addiction Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO) Qualified Mental Health Associate certification (QMHA) or register within ninety (90) days of hire, and complete in accordance with MHACBO guidelines. See MHACBO website for requirements.
• Must possess a current driver's license in the applicant's state of residence and an acceptable driving history.  Marion County will obtain a copy of the driving record for all qualified applicants from Driver and Motor Vehicle Services and review the driving record according to the Marion County policy and procedure for Driving on County Business.  The policy can be found at:  http://apps.co.marion.or.us/APAP/.
• This position may be subject to the following:  Must not be excluded from participation in the federal health care programs (Medicaid, Medicare and other federally funded programs that provide health benefits); AND must not be excluded from participating in federal procurement (Federal Acquisition Regulation) and non-procurement activities (Executive Order No. 12549).
• The finalist for this position will be required to pass a criminal history background check; however, conviction of a crime may not necessarily disqualify an individual for this position.
• This is a safety sensitive/special needs position. Final candidates selected for this position will be required to pass a pre-employment drug screen, including testing for marijuana. The Marion County Drug and Alcohol Use and Testing Policy can be found at: http://apps.co.marion.or.us/APAP/policy.aspx?p=policy&pid=518.
• If position is within a Drug & Alcohol Treatment program, must be able to obtain CADC1 certification within 6 months of date of hire.

• This assignment is represented by a union.
• This is a full-time regular position, which is eligible for overtime.
• Typical Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, hours may vary depending upon the needs of the department and program.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 
Working knowledge of the general concepts of mental health (including common symptoms for major behavioral health conditions) and chemical dependency as well as community resources; de-escalation, crisis intervention, and engagement strategies; strengths-based resiliency and recovery models; definitions of basic- and community-living skills; measurable goals/outcomes of mental health recovery, substance use disorders recovery, and co-occurring disorders recovery; evidence-based strategies for skills training and improving overall health; daily living activities that promote health and wellness.

Ability to demonstrate active listening skills and interviewing techniques; establish effective working relationships with diverse individuals and foster shared decision-making with behavioral health consumers, family members, and providers; clearly convey information about behavioral and general health; exercise cultural and trauma-informed competency when linking to resources; follow directions and accept feedback in a professional manner; prepare reports and document services provided to persons served in a timely and professional manner with clarity, conciseness, and completeness; work within an interdisciplinary team; practice appropriate boundaries with consumers; recognize unsafe situations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Operates a motor vehicle; sees using depth perception; stands; sits; moves about the work area; bends forward; climbs 1 floor of stairs; lifts, pushes, pulls and carries up to 5 lbs.; moves carts weighing up to 5 lbs.; operates a keyboard; speaks clearly and audibly; reads a 12-pt. font; distinguishes shades; hears a normal level of speech; works in areas that may be exposed to heat or cold.We offer tuition assistance for employees interested in professional development towards a profession in behavioral health.

• Up to $20,000 to reimburse for tuition, licensure and/or other educational expenditures. According to the Marion County policy administrative policies regarding tuition payments.

Salary : $26 - $35