Housing Navigator

SUMMARY

Under the direct supervision of the YRC Program Manager, the Navigator serves as a key role in the system-wide assessment of homeless persons to match them to the appropriate housing intervention. The Housing Assessor/Navigator will screen clients using an assessment workflow through the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and will accompany clients from the housing referral through the lease-up process. The Housing Assessor/Navigator will also collaborate with system partners. This position will work independently at times and as part of a team at other times. The position is not required to be tied to a fixed office site but may accompany outreach teams as needed to assist persons living on the streets to seek and secure housing.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

· Screens homeless persons for housing eligibility using the Coordinated Access assessment tool.

· Provides client referral to the appropriate housing intervention and potential housing sites.

· Pulls housing referral from HMIS and begins the next step process to enrollment.

· Assists individuals that are homeless in gathering all documents necessary to complete a housing program enrollment.

· Accompanies clients to all housing appointments and serves as clients’ primary advocate during the housing search and selection process and prior to transfer to the housing case manager.

· Transfers all required homeless and housing documentation to the housing case manager.

· Ensures all data is collected and entered accurately and in a timely manner into HMIS.

· Be available to conduct assessments at different Assessment Hubs located throughout the Continuum of Care.

· Attends all Housing Assessor, Navigator, and HMIS trainings in order to fully utilize the Coordinated Access system accurately.

· Conduct life skills and “Housing Readiness” trainings to youth and young adults

· Provides high quality services to those accessing the homeless services system.

· Provides regular feed-back to management level staff of collaborating agencies regarding the front-line Coordinated Access process.

· Provides feed-back to Coordinated Access Workgroup regarding Policies and Procedures of the Coordinated Access system.

· Participates in case conferences as needed.

· Participates in Coordinated Access Transition Team meetings as needed.

· Participate in scheduled supervisory sessions with Program Manager to provide feedback regarding direct services, program and other issues which may impact the program.

· Other duties as assigned.

GENERAL DUTIES

· Active participation in case management team meetings to assist with ensuring the clients receive appropriate and timely services and to provide input to enhance service delivery for program participants.

· Keep notes on clients updated to the day in HMIS and the confidential electronic files system used by the agency

· Maintain statistics regarding service delivery and other services provided to victims of crime and family violence as necessary.

· Maintain awareness of community resources.

· Manage tasks assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no supervisory responsibilities

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

· Bachelors in a Human Service Field required, Masters preferred.

· A minimum of one year experience providing crisis services to families.

· Knowledge of and ability to work with persons of diverse backgrounds.

· Knowledge of crisis counseling skills.

· Knowledge of dynamics of victims of crime, trauma, and family violence.

· Current Driver’s License

· Safe Driving Record

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of clients, collaborative agencies or employees of the Agency. Ability to speak Spanish, a plus.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Basic math skills of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division are required.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

· Current Driving License

· Safe Driving Record

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

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

· Routine office mobility.

· The Navigator must be able to transport her/himself to other agency and community partner locations and assigned locations as necessary in a timely manner.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work environment characteristics are as follows:

· The Navigator may need to travel to meet with clients and attend meetings. This must be done in a timely and efficient manner.

· The Navigator will need to work in different locations for the agency at different times, varying on the needs of clients and staff support

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $22.00 - $26.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• providing crisis to families: 1 year (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's license and safe driving record (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $22 - $26