Housing Navigator II

Housing Matters partners with individuals and families to create pathways out of their homelessness into permanent housing. We are a leader in working to end homelessness – and we want you to be part of our team! We are looking for individuals eager to make a difference and willing to enthusiastically commit to join in our vision that homelessness in Santa Cruz County should be rare, brief, and non-recurring.

The Recuperative Care Center is hiring for a Housing Navigator II. The Recuperative Care Center is a 24-bed facility that provides medical respite for people experiencing homelessness. Housing Navigator II is a journey-level class and is expected to work with a minimum amount of supervision to conduct housing navigation, and secure housing placements in coordination with their team, program, and the agency through new training, strategies, partnerships, and other activities.

Hours and Benefits

• Housing Navigator II is a full-time, hourly, non-exempt position, eligible for medical, dental, vision, 403b, and our generous PTO plan.

• Regular hours are Monday through Friday. Occasional evenings and weekends may be required for some positions.

Wages

Housing Navigator II Pay Band

$26.04 $27.34 $28.71 $30.15 $31.65 $33.24

Housing Navigator II Starting Wage (DOE):

$26.04 $27.34

Preferred Experience and Education Requirements

Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. Typical ways to obtain this knowledge would be:

• A minimum of one year of experience performing social service casework services comparable to a Case Manager I or Housing Navigator I at Housing Matters in an exceptional manner exceeding all standards and abilities

• A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college with a major in social work, social welfare, human services, or one of the social or behavioral sciences.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License or must be able to provide suitable transportation that is approved by the organization may be required for certain positions.

Thorough knowledge of:

• Basic principles and trends of affordable housing.

• Federal and State housing regulations, programs, and procedures.

• Community resources.

• Public social service and assistance programs.

• Interviewing and record-keeping techniques.

• Knowledge of the specialized program area to which assigned.

• County and state affordable housing policies, procedures, and programs.

• Housing inspections.

• Grant compliance reporting.

Typical Job Duties:

• Conduct landlord/property management outreach and relationship building.

• Search daily for housing and reach out to available units.

• Coordinate regularly with Housing Navigators and Case Managers, including attending collaborative working group meetings.

• Develop rapport and communication with both property managers and program clients.

• Conduct, with Case Managers, housing needs assessment and client-driven housing searches in neighborhoods that are a good fit for the individual clients and families.

• Act as client advocate in securing appropriate housing.

• Facilitate rental agreements with landlords in scattered site apartments and ensure participants' understanding of rental agreements, housing policies, and procedures.

• Conduct home visits with clients.

• Maintain extensive, accurate records, data, and documentation of services.

• Participate in Housing Matters and Case Management/Supportive Services staff meetings, case reviews, and related functions.

• Maintain effective relationships with community partners and represent Housing Matters professionally in the community.

• Attend training, workshops, and conferences related to the position.

• Maintain confidential, professional boundaries with all program clients.

Shelter Case Managers may be responsible for the following:

• Orient new shelter guests into the program, including outlining shelter policy and expectations, touring the shelter facility and dining hall, etc.

• Facilitate storage of personal items.

• Support the Program Manager in enforcing and maintaining campus and shelter policy.

• Support the Direct Services Team in facilitating day services, shelter programs, and additional services.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment at Housing Matters without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer-related and genetic characteristics), marital status, sexual orientation, age (over 18), veteran status, gender, pregnancy, or any other non-merit factor unrelated to job duties. Such action shall include, but not be limited to, the following: recruitment; advertising, layoff or termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, selection for training (including apprenticeship), employment, upgrading, demotion, or transfer.