About the Community Economic Defense Project (CEDP) & CED Law

Our mission

We partner with low-income and working people to build economic and racial equity. We do this by confronting economic abuse and investing in community wealth. We use an ever-evolving set of legal, economic and advocacy tools to challenge and dismantle unjust systems, building quickly towards a world where all people have what they need to live and thrive.

Our Organization

The Community Economic Defense Project (CEDP) is a Colorado-based nonprofit. Launched in 2020 as the COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project, our organization was formed to keep our neighbors housed during the pandemic. Working with clients, we built a “one-stop-shop” approach to eviction, foreclosure, and homelessness prevention that centers the legal and financial needs of housing-insecure families and uses a variety of tools to keep them housed.

Our team now serves more than 1,000 people per month, bringing together housing lawyers, economists, data analysts, policy-experts, organizers, and technologists to serve our clients. In the previous two years, we have distributed more than $100 million in aid and served more than 40,000 Coloradans. We have also contributed to the passage of major legislation to prevent eviction, stop economic abuse, and make credit and life-saving medication cheaper. CEDP’s model has been cited as a best practice by White House, HUD, the Urban Institute, and in the media.

Building on our work to stop evictions, CEDP has further expanded its integrated services model to include disaster response, predatory towing, debt collection, benefit access & navigation, long-term rental assistance, and homelessness response. Similar to CEDP’s work on rental housing, these efforts offer a continuum of care that includes navigation and advisory services, targeted payments, legal support, and the ability to participate in advocacy.

More about the Intake Navigator Role:

We are seeking a highly motivated and compassionate individual to join our team as an Intake Navigator for our supportive services and housing programs. As an Intake Navigator, you will play a crucial role in assisting individuals and families in Northeast Colorado experiencing homelessness in accessing housing resources and support services. You will be responsible for conducting intake assessments, determining eligibility, and facilitating the enrollment process into the program. In addition, provide ongoing support with connecting clients to resources out in the community during program duration. 

In this role you will:

• Meet with individuals and families seeking housing assistance, gather information about their situation, and assess their eligibility for housing and supportive services programs.
• Review program guidelines and verify eligibility requirements such as income, housing history, and related factors to determine if applicants qualify for assistance.
• Educate applicants about the program and available resources, explain the application process, and answer any questions or concerns they may have.
• Collaborate with partner agencies, community organizations, and service providers to identify clients and facilitate referrals.
• Building and managing relationships as hotel liaison to ensure availability and quick turnaround of units. 
• Will maintain a caseload of at least 25-30 clients with varying acuity.
• Assist clients with completing necessary application forms, collect required documentation, and ensure accurate and timely submission of all required paperwork.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date client records, including intake forms, eligibility determinations, and other relevant documentation.
• Collaborate with case managers to ensure a seamless transition for clients into Homelessness Prevention, Rapid Rehousing, and permanent housing programs. This includes coordinating move-in logistics, conducting housing inspections, and addressing any immediate needs.
• Generate reports and maintain program statistics related to intake, eligibility determinations, and program outcomes as required by funders and management .
• Complete all documentation and data entry as required, in a timely manner (Progress notes, Homeless Management Information System etc.).
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements:

• English proficiency required (Spanish proficiency) preferred.
• Prior experience in intake coordination, social services, or housing programs is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with homelessness issues, housing resources, and eligibility criteria for housing programs is beneficial.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential, with the ability to effectively engage with diverse populations and build rapport.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail are necessary to manage multiple tasks, maintain accurate records, and meet program deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to assess complex situations, think critically, and make sound decisions to facilitate client intake and program enrollment.

• Ability to demonstrate a steadfast commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within the workplace. 

• Proficient computer skills, including experience with data entry and recordkeeping systems, are required.
• A genuine desire to serve individuals experiencing homelessness, along with the ability to approach clients with empathy, respect, and non-judgment.

Additional Details:

• Candidates must reside in Colorado, ideally within the greater Sterling area. The position includes competitive pay, flexible time off, benefits package (including medical, dental, vision), and 401k.
• A competitive salary of $61,000 annually. All employees receive a technology stipend of $720 per year.
• Employees who utilize two languages or more at work are eligible for a $2,000 per year differential, added to the salary grade listed above. Language assessment will be conducted by the organization as a requirement to receive the differential.
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis but must be received by June 28, 2024
• The estimated time to complete the recruitment process will be by July 15, 2024
• This is a hybrid position that requires in office and in person work in the community. 
• As in-person work is required, all employees at CEDP & CED Law are expected to maintain current vaccination status in keeping with CDC recommendations.
• CEDP is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Employment decisions are made without regard of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.