Navigation Specialist

Job Title: Navigation Specialist

Department: Houseless Intervention Services

Reports to: NavSpec Manager

Salary Grade/Level/Family/Range: $28.05/hour, Step I, FY 2024-25.

Effective Date: 1-Jul-24

FLSA Classification: Non-exempt / Hourly

AFSCME Represented

Job Summary: The Navigation Specialist will be a member of a dedicated team whose mission is to support those experiencing houselessness in shelter and emergency shelter settings. The Navigation Specialist will work with Case Managers, as well as their own case load, to assist with participants’ housing search and placement while leveraging supportive services to assist the participant in maintaining permanent housing. Navigation Specialist will assist the NavSpec Manager & Program Manager with program coordination, including document assessment and management for the Rapid Rehousing program. Duties and Responsibilities are used in revising or developing performance review objectives for employees.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Understand how to navigate the complexities of the Metro region’s social and housing services.
• In coordination with NavSpec Manager & Program Manager, ensure accurate and uniform daily participant roster management, as well as in-take, exit, and follow-up documentation.
• Maintain accurate and efficient physical and electronic records, including utilizing the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) to enter and exit participants from database, assigning incoming participants to case managers, and regular reporting functions.
• Participate in on-going, recurring community partner meetings
• Work with on-site community partners to identify opportunities to meet participant needs.
• Maintain effective communication with all relevant team members.
• Maintain effective communication with all staff, programs, and community partners.
• Other assigned tasks and duties appropriate to position.
• Adhere to all state and federal privacy and security regulations applicable to the program, and to Sunstone Way, hereinafter referred to as The Company’s policies and agreements regarding confidentiality, privacy, and security.
• Visit individuals in homes or attend group meetings to provide information on agency services, requirements, or procedures.
• Submit reports and review reports or problems with supervisor.
• Submit CAF Requests
• Maintain HMIS Data
• Rental Assistance Application for Rental Assistance
• Complete a navigation assessment (identifying barriers to access)
• Meet with all Participants on their side of the week
• Write and review daily notes
• Housing readiness
• Complete navigation assessments for all participants
• Maintaining the cleanliness of the facility
• Communication with community partners/stakeholders(landlords)
• Connection to Peers that are culturally and affinity group specific
• Track housing opportunities
• Resource Mining
• Call People on the waiting list and maintain accuracy of list (quarterly review)
• Divvy completions
• Maintain communication with staff and participants
• Individual housing stability plan
• Educating participants on healthy tenancy and housing retention
• Participate in all team meetings (wrap around)
• Attend and participate in all outlined trainings as directed by the training and safety manager and site leadership
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Provides 6-month and 12-month follow up calls for exited/placed participants from their program and documents in HMIS.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

Required Experience:

• 1-2 years’ experience as a Navigation Specialist, Housing Specialist, Case Manager, or similar work in social services.
• Client information databases, developing operating strategies, plans, or procedures.
• Direct administrative or support services.
• Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation,
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Understanding of Housing First and Harm Reduction models.
• Being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
• Ability to effectively interact with co-workers and clients with diverse ethnic backgrounds, religious views, political affiliations, cultural backgrounds, lifestyles, and sexual orientations and treat everyone with respect and dignity.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Preferred Education:

• Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or other related field (Preferred).
• Other relevant certification or training.
• Lived experience

Additional eligibility requirements:

• Sufficient manual dexterity and physical ability to perform assigned tasks.
• Must be able to pass a background check upon offer.
• Must be able to work in a drug-free environment.
• Regular and reliable attendance to all required shifts.

Work environment:

Working indoors and outdoors in heat and cold | Slippery and uneven walking surfaces | Working in close proximity to others | Exposure to offensive odors

Physical Requirements:

Ability to lift up to 50lbs | Bending, stooping, reaching | Sitting for extended periods of time | Standing for extended periods of time

Travel required:

Occasional travel to and from other work sites up to 20% of the time.

Competencies:

• Accountability – Accountable for measurable, high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.
• Problem Solving / Decision Making – Identifies and analyzes problems weighing the relevance and accuracy of available information. Generates and evaluates alternative solutions and makes effective and timely decisions.
• Quantity / Quality of Work – Pays close attention to detail. Strives to achieve accuracy and consistency in all tasks.
• Service Orientation – Applies effective interpersonal and problem-solving skills when responding to participants. Actively looking for ways to help people.
• Computer Skills – Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work.
• Writing – Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Time Management – Managing one's own time.
• Efficiency: Planning ahead, managing time well, being on time, being cost conscious, thinking of better ways to do things.
• Speaking – Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Social Perceptiveness – Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Reading Comprehension – Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Monitoring – Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Judgment and Decision Making – Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Coordination – Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Active Listening – Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Collegiality: Being helpful, respectful, approachable and team oriented, building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
• Coachability: Being receptive to feedback, willing to learn, embracing continuous improvement.

Note:

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) of this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee(s) will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an at will relationship.