Housing Specialist

Shift Details Shift Details: Day Monday - Friday 10:00am-6:30pm.

Hourly pay Rate: $25.50-$38.50/hour

ABOUT LIFEMOVES

LifeMoves is the largest and most effective provider of housing and services for neighbors experiencing homelessness in Silicon Valley since 1987. Our Mission is to end homelessness by providing interim housing, supportive services, and building collaborative partnerships. With 40 programs , LifeMoves gives our neighbors experiencing homelessness a temporary place to call home while providing intensive, customized case management through site-based programs and community outreach.


POSITION PURPOSE

LifeMoves Navigation Center provides interim supportive housing in Redwood City to 220 individuals and 20 couples. During their stay, clients participate in holistic services tailored to each household's unique needs and goals. Clients receive support to build self-sufficiency and return to housing stability. The team supports clients with employment, housing, benefits, dental, physical and behavioral health through case management, workshops, and connection to specialized resources.


The Navigation Center Housing Specialist plays a key role in supporting people moving toward safe, stable housing and greater self-sufficiency. This position provide case management services, life skills support, and resource connections. They work in partnership with clients to set goals, celebrate progress, and overcome challenges. Using a trauma-informed and strengths-based approach, this position builds trust and respect, making sure clients feel heard, valued, and supported throughout their journey.

Key responsibilities include supporting clients by connecting them to services, building support networks, facilitating groups and activities, advocating for equitable access, and providing crisis intervention when needed. Beyond working directly with clients, this role may help to improve the overall program by sharing ideas, identifying service gaps, and helping strengthen community relationships. This role maintains clear documentation, contributes to program planning and reporting, and models professional, ethical behavior and works closely with their teammates to provide high-quality, coordinated care. Through their efforts, staff empower clients to grow their strengths, reach their goals, and build a better future.

The Navigation Center Specialist reports to the Program Director and receives support from the Education and Specialized Services Team. This role supports clients and Case Managers by offering expert guidance on benefits, employment, and housing resources. The Specialist may work 1:1 with clients to check eligibility for programs and train Case Managers to stay current on new opportunities. They also monitor policy changes to make sure clients and staff get the most up-to-date information and resources. Specialists are experts in their field and ensure clients and staff are well prepared on the complexities of benefits, employment, and housing. Additionally this role supports daily program operations and helps keep the site safe and welcoming for everyone and works closely with clients and staff to build a positive community. They help monitor the environment, respond to client needs, and ensure that all program rules are followed with fairness and respect. Finally, this role supports service delivery by helping with client check-ins, group activities, and site coordination.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop, implement, and update individualized case plans focused on housing, employment, benefits, and overall well-being based on client strengths and goals.
• Support clients with housing searches, employment preparation, life skills development, and navigation of housing and employment resources.
• Assist clients with resume development, cover letters, job readiness, and professional development planning.
• Support client enrollment in public benefit programs such as General Assistance, CalFresh, SSI/SSDI, Unemployment, and Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants.
• Coordinate healthcare access by scheduling appointments, arranging transportation, and accompanying clients as needed.
• Facilitate client-centered groups, workshops, and educational sessions that build skills, confidence, and self-sufficiency.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with community partners, landlords, employers, and service providers to expand client resources.
• Serve as a liaison with public agencies including Veterans Affairs, Probation, APS, CPS, and city, state, and federal partners.
• Advocate for client rights, reduce stigma, and provide mediation or conflict resolution with landlords, employers, and agencies.
• Maintain accurate, timely documentation, case notes, and reports in HMIS and internal client management systems in compliance with confidentiality requirements.
• Track client progress, program outcomes, housing placements, employment achievements, and community partnerships.
• Provide crisis intervention and referrals to appropriate services to ensure client safety and stability.
• Participate in required case conferences, supervision, trainings, and continuing education to strengthen professional skills.
• Complete all required trainings, including CPR, MHFA, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention, HMIS, trauma-informed care, and mandated reporting.
• Support site operations through inspections, unit checks, donation coordination, and daily program operations as needed.
• Remain flexible to work occasional evenings or weekends and perform other duties to support program, department, and organizational needs.

• Associate's Degree in a related field preferred, or High School Diploma/GED with 2-5 years of relevant experience such as housing services, outreach, or peer advocacy.
• Demonstrates care, respect, and empathy when working with individuals from all backgrounds.
• Committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) principles and practices.
• Practices radical hospitality by welcoming everyone with kindness, respect, and non-judgment.
• Manages stress effectively and remains calm and supportive in high-pressure situations.
• Applies de-escalation techniques to promote safety and positive client outcomes.
• Demonstrates a growth mindset and openness to feedback and continuous learning.
• Shows interest in trauma-informed care, crisis support, and harm reduction practices.
• Works effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Maintains clear, unbiased, and professional documentation and communication.
• Demonstrates strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and task ownership.
• Comfortable using basic technology, including email, Microsoft Word, Excel, databases, and case management systems.
• Actively advocates for clients in navigating systems, accessing benefits, and ensuring equitable treatment.
• Identifies, researches, and connects clients to appropriate housing, employment, health, and social service resources.
• Builds collaborative partnerships, facilitates group discussions or workshops, and demonstrates specialized knowledge in housing.

COMPETENCIES

• Job Knowledge: Understands job duties and performs tasks with accuracy.
• Commitment to Growth: Demonstrates a selfless commitment to others on the team, including activity-based dependability, self-improvement activities. Actively seeks opportunities to contribute at higher levels in service to LifeMoves and others on the team.
• Performance Improvement: Sets performance goals, establishes the approach, creates a learning environment.
• Time Management and Reliability: Manages workload effectively and meets deadlines.
• Proactive Collaboration: Actively seeks opportunities to partner with colleagues across teams and functions. Shares knowledge, communicates openly, and anticipates needs to support collective goals. Builds trust by contributing ideas, offering assistance, and ensuring alignment to achieve results together.
• Spanish Bilingual skill set preferred.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

This position is contingent upon:

• Satisfactory results of a background check
• Submitting proof of clear TB test results. Results dated within 60 days prior to hire date are acceptable

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

N/A

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

This role may include small amounts of travel to training and admin events

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and communicate with others in the workplace. The employee must frequently use hands or fingers and handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee must frequently stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities this position requires include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

COMPENSATION

This rewarding role offers a competitive annual base salary.

LifeMoves is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) committed to building a culturally diverse staff representing the communities we serve. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, physical or mental disability (non-disqualifying), sexual orientation, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, personal favoritism, lived experiences or any other non-merit-based factor. Candidates who are bilingual/bi-cultural, of color, Native/Indigenous, with disabilities, who identify as LGBTQIA+, or who are members of other marginalized groups are strongly encouraged to apply. We aim to create and sustain inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environments where everyone can thrive.

This job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of LifeMoves. Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties, and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the job holder's responsibility.

If you require a disability accommodation during the application process, please contact the Human Resources Department at View phone number on click.appcast.io.