Housing Locator (Rapid Rehousing and Shelter)

Working at Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) means doing work that matters every day because of the difference you will make in the lives of children and families in Northern Virginia. NVFS’ breadth, depth and scope of services offer the resources and support to ensure that everyone in need, at every stage of life, maximizes their potential and fully contributes to a thriving community. At NVFS, we value the diversity of backgrounds, experience, perspectives, and skillsets that we collectively provide to our community, clients and coworkers. We celebrate and thrive on our differences and welcome everyone’s unique contributions.

Join the NVFS Family: We are looking to hire a Housing Locator to join the NVFS Homeless Services Team! As the Housing Locator, you will be responsible for working collaboratively with NVFS shelter and rapid rehousing case management staff to identify housing opportunities for clients, both families and singles.  This position is required to actively seek out, obtain and maintain relationships with landlords, private and non-profit. As the Housing Locator, you will provide training to staff and clients on housing opportunities and tenant/landlord roles and responsibilities. You will also be an integral member of the Housing Team and works collaboratively with all aspects of NVFS programs, representatives from Housing Departments, Departments of Social Service, local Continuum of Care(CoC), and representatives of other non-profit agencies and the faith community.

Benefits and Compensation: We want you to be well, have work/life flexibility, grow your career with us, and have the resources and support you need. Check out our comprehensive benefit offerings here in support of various dimensions of your wellbeing.

The starting salary ranges from the mid to high 40s.

In this role, you will: 

• Proactively seek out new housing opportunities and resources to assist families with housing.
• Nurture existing relationships and create new collaborative partnerships with landlords and other housing providers, including acting as a liaison between landlords and clients as needed. Negotiate leases on behalf of clients in collaboration with case managers and clients.
• Develop and facilitate training and workshops for clients and shelter staff including tenant rights and responsibilities, housing discrimination, finding and securing rental housing, communication with landlords and fair housing.
• Maintain a Housing Directory to include documentation of all contacts with housing providers. Provide consistent updates on housing availability.   
• Maintain documentation of trainings, budgets, housing contacts and other pertinent information in accordance with agency and best practice standards.
• In coordination with the case manager, provide access to resources to assist families and singles as needed during their move into permanent housing (such assistance may include accessing rental assistance money, donated furnishings and coordinating with volunteer movers).
• Negotiate and manage the Rapid Re-housing direct assistance budget in coordination with case management staff and Director of Homeless Services to ensure the distribution of funds is in keeping with state and local guidelines and meets the needs of clients.
• Maintain current level of knowledge on program software and other information on housing assistance programs.
• Conduct Housing Quality Standard Inspections per grant guidelines. Advise and advocate for clients regarding quality standards. 
• Participate in regular supervision with supervisor and provide regular updates.
• Remain current on knowledge of standards and other program-related information.
• Enter data for record keeping and reporting to meet relevant guidelines.

Your Background:  We understand that you may obtain skills through a variety of professional, personal, educational, and volunteer experiences.

• HQS certification required within six (6) months of hire if not already certified.
• Bachelor’s degree in public or business administration from an accredited college or university preferred.
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in property management, housing management, and/or real estate required, including negotiation and advocacy. Experience within the working community a plus.
• Must be experienced in, comfortable with and willing to conduct trainings to groups.
• Experience providing direct services to individuals in crisis strongly preferred.
• Ability to communicate respectfully, clearly, effectively, tactfully and patiently in-person and on the phone to a diverse population.
• Strong interpersonal skills and proven ability to build trust, rapport and maintain relationships; must be able to create and maintain collaborative working relationships and effectively interact with clients, landlords, and community partners.
• Fluency in English required; bilingual fluency in Spanish or other client languages a plus. Additional language skills always welcome.
• Proficiency in usage of basic technological tools including laptops/computers, email, phones, and internet required. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite required.
• Must be able to demonstrate and live the organizational values of Communication, Integrity, Respect, Collaboration, and Accountability.

Additional Requirements:

• Successful completion of background checks required upon hire
• Must have reliable transportation to visit properties and community locations on a frequent basis
• May be called upon to work beyond normal working hours

At Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS), we value every team member’s contribution and our collective impact on our clients and the community. NVFS is an equal opportunity employer, E-Verify participant and drug-free workplace.