Housing Navigator

Housing Navigator

Under limited supervision, determines extent of clients' housing needs and develops individualized plans to assist clients to achieve and maintain housing stability.

Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

The Housing Navigator position falls under the Housing and Homeless Services Branch in the Department of Employment and Social Services (DESS).

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Typical functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Interviews clients and assesses the needs for housing through phone, home, community and office contacts; collects and assesses client information through phone and personal contact; coordinates plan to address housing needs with social service and community agencies.
• Provides case management and navigation services designed to assist clients and their families to obtain housing stability.
• Assists clients with housing applications, completes supportive and subsidized housing paperwork, surveys rental market for affordable housing, and advocates for clients with prospective landlords.
• Establishes professional networks with landlords, renter associations, property management companies, and other local housing providers to identify potential rental properties and provide permanent housing options for clients.
• Case Management focused on housing maintenance and stability: paying rent, interacting positively with landlords and neighbors, managing behaviors that may accompany mental illness or substance use so that they don't interfere with success in housing, develop crisis plans, connecting with appropriate community resources, and supporting client's individual housing goals.
• Case Management services may include: assisting and advocating for clients with psychological and developmental disabilities in accessing services and obtaining disability benefits; act as an advocate for individual clients with social services agencies; interprets social service rules, regulations and policies within the scope of responsibility.
• Determines clients' eligibility, and refers client to community agencies based on needs and problems identified during assessment; coordinates multiple services as required; assists clients in accessing private and public resources and services; follows up on referrals made and actions to be completed by the client.
• Works collaboratively with Employment Case Managers to develop comprehensive case plans, which may include the need for specialized social services. Educates clients on related social and health issues, workplace behavior, employment skills, and the availability of community resources to meet their needs; assists clients in accessing community services.
• Recognizes and discusses with client symptoms of problem behavior, appearance and conditions indicative of the need for help; assists in the removal of legal barriers; aids clients in seeking safety from domestic violence; and assists in the identification and removal of barriers to self-sufficiency.
• Maintains thorough case documentation for each assigned client; updates and maintains client records; gathers and compiles data obtained from written and multi-agency specific computer software for reporting purposes; develops summary records and prepares reports.
• As a mandated reporter, makes appropriate referrals regarding suspected cases of neglected, abused, or exploited children or adults.
• Expands expertise in field of service through participation in educational opportunities; attends multi-disciplinary and task force meetings to develop collaborative efforts in service delivery.
• Supports the relationship between Butte County and the constituent population by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with clients, visitors, other employees, and members of outside agencies.
• Adheres to the standards of the Privacy Act of 1974, {U.S.C. § 552A} as amended; maintains and enforces all aspects of confidentiality of client information.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• State, federal and local laws and regulations with respect to tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities.
• Laws, rules and regulations governing eligibility as it relates to housing and homelessness and determination for diverse public assistance programs and related case administration techniques.
• County and the department policies and procedures, and professional rules of conduct.
• Interviewing, information gathering, and public assistance counseling techniques.
• Case management methods, practices and procedures.
• Local employment, social services resources and the local housing market.
• Underlying social, economic, legislative and physical factors facing client population and strategies to resolve core issues.
• Specialized and personal computer systems and software applications.

Ability To:

• Understand, interpret and apply relevant statutes, codes, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Assess and identify complex issues, and recommend solutions to complex problems.
• Assess and evaluate social problems, providing outreach and advocacy services; make recommendations to supervisors based on observations and interviews and to multi-disciplinary agencies.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines and follow-up on assignments.
• Interact with people of diverse social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Interview, motivate, and educate population served.
• Assess, review, update and maintain files, reports and documentation.
• Assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects and demands.
• Establish and maintain effective working relations with co-workers and other government and social service entities.
• Operate a personal computer.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Successful completion of 30 semester or 45 quarter units in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Child Development, Gerontology, Vocational Counseling or closely related field; and

Three (3) years of case management work experience in a public or private social services agency.

Certifications and Licenses:

• Must possess a valid US driver's license upon date of application. Must obtain California driver's license following hire date per California DMV regulations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various County sites; primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required; occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information; ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds.
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen.
• Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.
• Finger dexterity is needed, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Working conditions are home and office settings; site visits may be required; some non-standard work hours may be required.
• Office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.
• Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS UTILIZED

• Standard equipment includes motor vehicle, personal computer and standard office equipment.

Disaster Service Worker

All Butte County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.