What are the responsibilities and job description for the Specialist - Survivor Housing position at WEAVE Inc?
WEAVE’s mission is to promote safe and healthy relationships and support survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and sex trafficking. WEAVE’s vision is a community free of violence and abuse.
Position Summary: Survivor Housing Specialists are primarily responsible for assisting WEAVE’s clients with locating and securing stable, long-term housing. Specialists work closely with other members of the Client Prosperity Team to provide robust, cohesive supportive services that help survivors exist WEAVE’s residential programs successfully. Specialists assess the housing needs of clients, provide support and advocacy with securing and maintaining safe and stable housing, and work closely with Sacramento County’s Coordinated Entry System, the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency, and housing providers in the community. Specialists also provide education and resources to survivors around financial literacy and budgeting, job readiness, being a successful renter, and other skills that impact the survivor’s ability to maintain economic stability and keep their housing.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct housing and economic assessments to determine clients’ housing and economic needs, affordability, and housing preferences. Identify barriers and offer resources, including emergency or flexible financial assistance when appropriate.
- Conducts and/or updates clients’ Vulnerability Index Assessment (VI-SPDAT), to identify all available housing opportunities and make referrals through traditional housing resources and/or the Survivor Coordinated Entry System.
- Locate and build partnerships with housing resources in the community to provide an array of housing options based upon clients' housing preferences, family size, and income.
- Assist clients and their Case Managers with applying to housing programs with the local housing authority or housing programs in the community, with housing searches, rental applications, applying to waiting lists, collecting required documentation for housing applications, and other housing related support as needed.
- Accompany clients to housing meetings, property tours, lease signings or move-in walk throughs. May include transporting clients in WEAVE-owned vehicles.
- Facilitate moving process for clients including scheduling movers, coordinating household establishments items, and providing resources and referrals.
- Collaborate with Residential Services staff and Client Prosperity staff to ensure all team members are aware of voluntary services available for clients.
- Conduct educational workshops such as Ready to Rent or budgeting in either a one-on-one or group setting with clients; adapt the delivery of the curriculum according to the clients’ specific needs.
- Maintains high visibility and availability, initiates contact with residents, and provides a welcoming and nonjudgmental environment.
- Collaborate with internal teams, external agencies, and community partners to coordinate services, referrals, and advocacy for residents.
- Attend staff meetings, training sessions, and one-on-one meetings with supervisors to enhance skills, knowledge, and awareness of domestic violence issues and case management best practices.
- Promote a culture of respect, equality, and diversity within the residential services environment.
- Consistent with agency and program requirements, maintain accurate, timely and confidential records of services provided.
- Adhere to all agency and department policies and procedures.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in a related field, or minimum of four years equivalent work experience.
- Strong understanding of domestic violence dynamics, trauma-informed care, and survivor-centered approaches.
- Previous experience working with survivors of domestic violence or trauma in a residential setting is highly desirable.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build rapport with diverse individuals in crisis and create respectful, empowering professional relationships.
- Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, for documenting services, communicating with residents, and collaborating with team members or community partners.
- Empathy, compassion, and the ability to maintain professional boundaries while providing emotional support.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple cases and priorities.
- Knowledge of community resources and the ability to connect survivors with appropriate services.
- Cultural sensitivity and an understanding of the intersectionality of domestic violence with other issues, such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status.
- Bilingual skills are an asset; pay differential is available for certain high-need languages.
- Valid driver’s license, proof of current auto insurance and reliable transportation.
- Successful pass of criminal background check.
- Successful completion of domestic violence and sexual assault peer counselor training (post-hire requirement.)
- Successful completion of Defensive Driving Training (post-hire requirement.)
ADA Job Characteristics:
WEAVE is committed to providing inclusive, accessible and respectful workplaces for all staff, including those with disabilities such as being in a wheelchair, Deaf or Hard of Hearing, blind or low vision or other access or functional needs.
WEAVE works to equip staff of all abilities with reasonable accommodations to perform their job functions. These can include the provision of adaptive equipment, materials in alternate formats, and flexible work schedules. Our priority is to provide ongoing, individualized accommodations to give all staff access to resources best suited to their needs. If you require an accommodation to access this job application, please send a request to hr@weaveinc.org
Work environment is a residential program settings. Local travel (driving) required daily to various agency sites. Must be able to lift and carry 25 lbs., extend both arms above the head and/or reach below the waist, stoop, squat, crawl, bend the back to retrieve items, climb stairs, or use an elevator. Employee may also need to remain in one position (i.e. sitting or standing) for an extended period of time while completing work tasks. Must be able to efficiently operate a keyboard and mouse or adaptive equivalent, write reports, take notes; utilize desk tools such as phones or calculators, and utilize larger office equipment such as printers and copy machines. Communicate clearly and concisely to others. Apply above average reasoning and detail as required in the accomplishment of job duties.
