Housing Navigator - STOP (100% Onsite - Los Angeles)

Job Description

Job Description

Amity Foundation , an internationally acclaimed Teaching, and Therapeutic Community is seeking compassionate and enthusiastic individuals with a desire to teach, learn and join our community as a Housing Navigator . This groundbreaking opportunity will allow you to work with our prison and re-entry programs helping the community and will also enhance your training and experience in the field.

 

About Amity:

Amity Foundation is a safe place where people can change in an environment that fosters trust; where new values can be formed; responsibility developed, and lasting relationships built. Amity is dedicated to the inclusion and habilitation of people marginalized by addiction, homelessness, trauma, criminality, incarceration, poverty, racism, sexism, and violence. Amity is committed to research, development implementation, and dissemination of information regarding community building.

 

Remembrance, Resolution, Reconciliation, Restoration, Renewal

 

Job Summary: The Housing Navigator facilitates successful reentry into the community by ensuring participants have access to safe, affordable housing after incarceration. This position may be inadvertently updated based on changing State contractual requirements.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties:

• Assist clients with housing applications, complete supportive and subsidized housing paperwork, survey rental market for affordable housing, and advocate for clients with prospective landlords

• Provide individualized client support by assessing housing needs, helping to develop discharge plans that address their barriers and connecting participants to permanent housing options.

• Conduct outreach in the community routinely including daily, weekly, monthly; and participate in community events throughout the program area to establish access to housing options

• Work to recruit landlords and establish working relationships for the benefit of clientele.

• Work with individuals who are chronically homeless and/or those at risk of becoming homeless.

• Utilize knowledge of Public Housing Authority and Housing subsidy (i.e., Housing Choice Vouchers, Shelter Plus Care, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH), permanent supportive housing, affordable and market rate housing, and other housing opportunities).

• Assess housing and personal history information (housing history, evictions, income, credit history, debts, etc.).

• Assist clients with completing applications, or other documentation support.

• Advocate on behalf of clients to landlords or potential landlords.

• Align housing resources and client needs.

• Develop relationships with landlords; identify affordable and supporting housing owners.

• Navigate subsidized housing programs, appeal process, and resources.

• Accompany clients when they are conducting housing searches.

• Assist clients in acquisition of furniture and/or appliances.

• Identify affordable grocers, food banks, transportation, social service agencies and other resources in housing areas.

• Assist in conflict resolution with landlords, employer, neighbors, and associates.

• Crisis planning due to relapse or financial problems.

• Performs other related duties as assigned. 

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

 

Education and Experience: 

Required : 

• Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree from a granting institution accredited by the Western Association of Schools (WASC), or equivalent AND a minimum of one (1) year of experience in a similar position; OR

• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in a similar position. 

• Experience working with individuals who are chronically homeless and/or those at risk of becoming homeless Preferred:

• Bilingual, fluent Spanish/English oral and written skills are highly desirable.

• As a TACPA Worksite, priority consideration is given to qualified individuals as specified in GC 4530

• Priority consideration is given to recipients of aid under Welfare and Institutions Code Section 11200. Certifications or Licenses: Required:

• Valid Driver’s License and Auto Insurance Preferred:

• None Knowledge:

• Understanding of causes, symptoms, and effects of substance abuse.

• Knowledge of Public Housing Authority and Housing subsidy is ideal (i.e. Housing Choice Vouchers, Shelter Plus Care, Veteran’s Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH), permanent supportive housing, affordable and market rate housing, and other housing opportunities).

• Knowledge of local housing market and community resources.

• Knowledge of subsidized housing and low-income utility assistance processes.

• Knowledge of contractual requirements of Housing Navigator functions is essential. Skills/Abilities:

• Recognition of the importance of individual differences created by personalities, cultures, lifestyles, social networks, and other factors that influence behavior; demonstrate the ability to apply this knowledge to participant attitudes towards acquisition and maintenance of long-term housing.

• Ability to integrate and align housing opportunities with participant interest, proximity to job and essential community resources.

• Ability to work co-operatively with network of landlords and community resource providers.

• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in the community and within the organization.

• Ability to work with minimal supervision.

• Ensure that excellence and integrity are applied to professional responsibilities to provide optimal services to participants.

• Understand and appropriately apply Amity policies and procedures and adhere to agencywide practices and regulations.

• Protect program participants’ health, safety, welfare, and confidentiality of records and participant information.

• As an interface between potential landlords, community resources, and participants, an attitude of appropriate advocacy for participants is essential.

• Model professionalism, effective work habits and responsible living.

 

Training and Continuing Education:  

• Within 90 days of hire, personnel file shall document evidence of participation in the following training: o Employee Orientation o CPR Certification, First Aid Certification (within 6 weeks of hire, and renewed prior to expiration thereafter) o Tuberculosis (TB) test (annual) o Motivational Interviewing o Sexual Harassment Prevention o Emergency Procedures o Confidentiality (Title 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 2) o Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (Title 45 CFR Part 164) o Signed acknowledgement of Drug Free Workplace policy o Signed CDCR Prison Rape Elimination Policy (PREA) form

• Participate in forty (40) hours of applicable orientation training within the first year of employment, and forty (40) hours annually thereafter. Training topics will be consistent with the duties and responsibilities of the position and applicable to the function of the STOP Placement Office.

• Participate in other training as assigned.

 

Security Clearance & Live Scan:

• This position shall go through the Provisional and Security Clearance Processes defined by California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), including Background Security Clearance Application and Live Scan;

• Must receive and maintain security clearance. 

Additional Information

ADA Information:

Physical Requirements:

• Occasionally adjusts or moves objects up to 50lbs. in all directions.

• Constantly remains in a stationary position often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.

• Repeats motions that may include the wrists, hands and / or fingers.

• Required to communicate verbally and in written form.

• Uses all types of vision, such as close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception, to complete daily tasks.

• Assesses the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.

• Occasionally required to climb, bend, stretch, reach, or stoop.

• Required to wear comfortable and location appropriate clothing and shoes. Mental Demands:

• Ability to change directions as a priorities shift.

• Ability to thrive in environment that require the ability to adapt to changing circumstances,

• Ability to cope with occasionally difficult or temperamental students and faculty.

• Ability to cope with mental and emotional stress related to the position. Work Conditions:

• Generally, in an indoor setting. Environmental Conditions:

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be loud.

• The temperature in the work environment is generally moderate, however can range from hot to cold seasonally.

 

Travel:

• Occasionally travels locally and operates motor vehicles. Note: This job description is intended to describe the general nature and work responsibilities of the position. It is not possible or desirable to commit every detailed aspect of each job to a written description.

 

This job description and the duties of this position are subject to change, modification, and addition as deemed necessary by the company. Job descriptions alone cannot be used as an argument to refuse work assignments. Faculty are required to comply with supervisory instructions and perform other job duties, responsibilities and assignments required by company officials. This job description does not constitute an employment contract between the company and any employee. The job responsibilities of this position may include cross-training in other functions to ensure satisfactory operation.

I have read the above job description, understand its contents, and have had an opportunity to discuss it with my supervisor or the hiring manager. By signing below, I agree and understand what is expected of me, and will comply with all requirements of this position. 

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision.
• Paid vacation, sick time, & holidays.
• 401K, HSA, & Life insurance programs.
• Organization committed to community action.
• Community oriented workplace.