Housing Specialist

Position Title


Housing Specialist


Job Category


Exempt


Department


Program Administration


Manager


Director, Person-Centered Planning


Location


Howard County


Travel Required


Limited


Annual Salary Level


$50,000 - $55,000


Position Type


Full-Time


Position Summary

The Housing Specialist plays a critical role in supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in achieving their housing goals and living successfully in the community. The Housing Specialist provides individualized housing navigation, tenancy support, housing stabilization, and advocacy services while promoting self-determination, independence, and community inclusion.

Position Responsibilities

Essential Functions include but not limited to, the following:

• Meet with individuals and support teams to identify housing goals, needs, and preferences.
• Develop individualized housing support plans.
• Assist with housing applications, documentation collection, and eligibility processes.
• Monitor housing waitlists and communicate with housing authorities.
• Support housing searches, property viewings, lease processes, and move-in activities.
• Conduct tenancy training and housing stabilization services.
• Complete all required documentation and reports.
• Collaborate with DDA, landlords, property managers, support coordinators, and community partners.
• Maintain compliance with all organizational, Medicaid, DDA, and housing program requirements.
• Participate in team meetings, training activities, and quality assurance reviews.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Public Health, Housing Services, or related field.
• Knowledge of Maryland housing assistance programs.
• Strong communication, organizational, and case management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic documentation systems.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Knowledge of Maryland DDA waiver services.
• Experience in housing navigation, tenancy support, or community-based case management.

Core Competencies

• Person-Centered Thinking
• Advocacy
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Accountability
• Problem Solving
• Cultural Competency

Performance Expectations

• Timely completion of housing plans and support documentation.
• Successful housing placement and stabilization outcomes.
• Compliance with all regulatory and organizational requirements.
• Positive working relationships with housing providers and community partners.

Licensure & Screening Requirements

• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required.
• Acceptable driving record required.
• Successful completion of all required background checks, reference checks, and pre-employment screenings required.

Work Environment

This position includes office, community, and remote work. Frequent travel throughout Howard County and surrounding areas is required. Occasional evening and weekend work may be necessary.

Physical and Mental Demands

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Physical Demands

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, reach, and travel throughout the community.
• Ability to operate computers, phones, and office equipment.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, electronically, and by telephone.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret, data information and documents; analyze and solve non-routine and complex problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or skills; perform highly detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks; work under intensive deadlines with frequent interruptions; and interact with the community stakeholders including elected and appointed officials, staff, people served, the public and others encountered in the course of work.

Work Schedule

This position includes office, community, and remote work. Occasional travel between sites, evening and weekend work may be necessary. This position is full-time, 40 hours per week. A typical work schedule is Monday through Friday during The Arc office hours from 8:30am - 4:30pm with some flexibility to accommodate occasional meetings or calls outside regular office hours.


Equal Employment Opportunity

The Arc of Howard County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.

ADA Statement

The Arc of Howard County is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable laws.

Mission & Safeguarding Commitment

The Arc of Howard County is committed to promoting the health, safety, dignity, rights, and full community inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Employees are expected to uphold all standards regarding abuse prevention, mandated reporting, person-centered planning, and protection of vulnerable individuals.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. The Arc reserves the right to revise the position and assign additional responsibilities as needed. Nothing in this document constitutes a contract of employment

• Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Public Health, Housing Services, or related field.
• Knowledge of Maryland housing assistance programs.
• Strong communication, organizational, and case management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic documentation systems.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.