Mather Community Campus, Singles Program - Housing Specialist

Housing Specialist

We are more than a nonprofit organization. We are a ministry of service that includes nearly 600 paid professional employees dedicated to helping those we serve. We provide compassionate care today for flourishing communities tomorrow. Founded locally in 1911, VOA Northern California & Northern Nevada is one of the largest providers of social services in the region, delivering a broad range of community-based services that transform lives while meeting immediate needs of families, individuals, veterans, seniors, and youth. In fact, VOA-NCNN provides shelter or housing to over 3,500 men, women, and children every night.

VOA puts faith into action by providing compassionate human services to empower individuals and strengthen communities. VOA aspires to create a world in which every person lives a life of emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being, filled with hope across Northern California & Northern Nevada.

VOA-NCNN, a Certified Great Place to Work, is recruiting for a full-time Housing Specialist for the Singles Program at our Mather Community Campus. Full-time employees (working 30 or more hours a week) are eligible for a benefits package that includes paid holidays, vacation, sick pay, health, dental, vision, life, and short-term disability insurance coverage.

Responsibilities

Under general supervision, this position will assist residents in obtaining and maintaining housing. Objectives include supportive interaction with program participants and team members, assessment of participant's needs, supporting the safety and the integrity of all residents, and performance of all work duties as required. Work is performed in a cost effective and service-oriented manner as it relates to established organizational standards providing services to clients without ethnic or social prejudices.

A. Responsible for performing daily work requirements to achieve established objectives of the department.

• Develop contracts with each resident for payment of fees, both in VOA's apartment building and scattered-site locations.
• Liaison with landlords to facilitate successful transition and to problem-solve placement issues.
• Contact and orient developers/landlords to increase permanent housing options.
• Prepare all clients for their housing search.
• Develop permanent housing resources throughout the community.
• Maintain a resource list of available housing.
• Coordinate with Housing Specialists from other VOA programs to ensure all permanent housing resources are available to clients.
• Coordinate with Case Managers to assist students in mitigating negative credit histories.
• Maintain follow-up housing data on graduates.
• Develop and conduct groups regarding issues related to securing and maintaining permanent housing.
• Prepare monthly report by the 5th of every month outlining accomplishments in a statistical format.
• Develop with each client, their financial plan to take over the master leases on their apartments.
• Visit weekly with clients in scattered-site locations to assist them in caring for their apartments and to remain aware of any financial changes or challenges that would prevent clients from meeting their rental/lease obligations.
• Monitor fee payments and develop plans with residents, consult with the Case Manager, plan for fee waivers, late fee payments, back-rent payment plans.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by Program Manager.

B. Responsible for self-development.

• Continually learn and enhance technical and interpersonal skills.
• Attend staff meetings and assigned training and complete required certifications, i.e. CPR, First Aid, etc.
• Attend all training and collaborative meetings necessary for development of housing resources.
• Serve as part of the development team by providing information and support for the development of quality operations.
• Maintain an above average working knowledge of fire, safety, and health standards to assure safe work environment for clients and all personnel.

Qualifications

A Bachelor's Degree in Social Work or a related field is preferred. This position requires two years of successful experience in the delivery of human services or any combination of education, training and experience, which would provide the knowledge and ability to complete the duties outlined above. Working knowledge of credit and legal responsibilities of renters as well as familiarity with low-income housing resources is preferred. Strong verbal and written communication skills are necessary as well as knowledge of problems unique to emancipated foster youth, persons with disabilities, substance abuse and adolescent parents. Must have the willingness to function as a team member with the ability to make skillful independent decisions. Valid California driver's license and ability to meet the organization's insurance carrier guidelines are required. Must pass all required background clearances in accordance with agency, County, State, and federal standards. CPR/First Aid certification is required within 90 days of employment. Completion and maintenance of all required training and health clearances.

Specific skills required include teamwork skills, oral and written communication skills, computer skills (Word, Excel, Outlook), ability to de-escalate situations and assist residents and staff in emergency situations, organizational skills, analytical and decision-making ability.

Physical requirements include ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and stoop throughout the workday, ability to occasionally lift and move up to 25 pounds, ability to travel between campus and community locations as needed, and ability to climb stairs as required.

Pay Range

USD $25.00 - USD $31.45 /Hr.

Volunteers of America Northern California and Northern Nevada