Description:
Job Title:
Housing Navigator
Location:
Headquarters /Mobile - This role requires the ability to travel to various locations within the City of Riverside and neighboring cities to support program participants and caseload needs.
FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt
Department:
Housing
Reports To:
Senior Housing Manager
Job Status:
Temporary Full-Time 40 hrs. per week
Schedule:
Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
About Path of Life Ministries
Path of Life Ministries (POLM) is a 501c3 organization serving those experiencing homelessness in the greater Riverside area, and County of Riverside. Our strategy is to provide a holistic system of care in an integrated, seamless manner for individuals and families, leading them from a place of crisis to a life of stability and self-sufficiency. Our goal is to walk people home. We seek talented and compassionate individuals able to thrive in a high-capacity and complex landscape of providing human services in a non-profit setting.
Position Overview
Housing Navigation is a fast-paced and very hands-on job requiring high-levels of nuanced people skills, creativity with a solutions focus, and extreme flexibility as well as self-management by those who are comfortable in a wide variety of unconventional situations working with a very challenged population in scattered sites and in the field throughout the County of Riverside. Additionally, housing navigation requires a high level of detailed documentation and file work.
The Housing Navigator, under the direction of the Senior Housing Manager, provides participant advocacy, intensive case management, benefit establishment, linkage to Mental Health/Substance Abuse services, linkage to stable housing and all other supportive services as needed. Housing Navigators will provide individualized participant support by helping each participant develop a plan to address their barriers, increase their income, and maintain and sustain permanent housing. As part of the plan, the Housing Navigator will identify each area in which participants will need assistance to accomplish the outlined goals and objectives (i.e. scheduling appointments, applying for public benefits, identifying subsidized housing, etc.) and the Housing Navigator will take full responsibility for their participant’s success.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Supportive Services
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Conduct screening interviews, complete intake documentation, and coordinate move in and exit of all program participants.
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Provide social work intensive case management and navigation services designed to assist participant and their families exit displacement and move into permanent housing.
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Coordinate and identify appropriate resources and mainstream benefits that lead to permanent housing options for participants, such as, subsidized housing Section 8, Shelter Plus Care, VASH, permanent supportive housing, affordable and market rate housing, and other housing opportunities.
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Provide onsite intensive case management services in the areas of independent living skills, employment linkage, cooking groups, house meetings, social events, benefits establishment, and other services as needed to assist in reaching case plan and treatment plan goals.
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Provide guidance towards resources that help to increase participant income, including connecting them with employment services, Social Security resources, and other mainstream resources that may be available to them.
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Perform comprehensive intensive case management assessments and develop a plan of intervention that addresses need for housing, services, crisis intervention, and continuity of care planning and coordination.
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Respond to referrals and participant requests for intensive case management assessment and intervention within required response time.
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Encourage and promote an environment that is strength based to assist participants in meeting their individual goals.
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Assist participants with housing applications, complete supportive and subsidized housing paperwork, survey rental market for affordable housing, and advocate for participants with prospective landlords.
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Use of personal vehicle to travel to scattered sites throughout Riverside County and transport participants.
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Work with, support, and help direct teams of volunteers giving direct support to your participants.
Outreach and Relationship Management
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Respond to and negotiate housing solutions with housing managers and landlords.
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Mediate disputes between displaced persons and neighborhood residents.
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Attend collaborative meetings.
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Network with other agencies, coalitions, and local community meetings.
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Actively participate in staff meetings and trainings.
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Maintain participant related data tracking systems, including case notes and complete HMIS entries with support of Chief Solutions Officer.
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Other duties as assigned
Education and Qualifications
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Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, Psychology, Social Work or related field.
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Two years of related experience with case management services, housing, displaced and mentally ill populations.
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Computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office, Excel and (preferably) Access. HMIS training a plus.
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Extensive experience working with individuals that are chronically displaced and/or displaced veterans.
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Knowledge of Public Housing Authority and Housing subsidies is ideal (ie, Section 8, Shelter Plus Care, VASH).
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Project a professional demeanor.
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Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
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Strong written and verbal communication skills.
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Must maintain and execute confidential information.
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Highly motivated self-starter and ability to coordinate multiple projects/tasks simultaneously in a high-pressure environment.
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Ability to work with diverse communities and exercise mature judgment.
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Problem solving and conflict resolution skills.
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A working knowledge and practice of Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Informed Care, and the cognitive approach to providing social services and development services.
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A working knowledge of the “hidden rules” and motivating factors and dynamics of social class and generational poverty in America.
Benefits
NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.
Path of Life Ministries is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
Requirements:
Requirements Include
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Reliable personal (not public) transportation available for occasional errands. Mileage will be reimbursed.
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Must possess a valid California Driver's License, have a minimum of three (3) years of licensed driving experience, and maintain an acceptable driving record as verified by the DMV.
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Proof of Automobile insurance.
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Employment eligibility verification.
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Successful completion of background screening.
Work Schedule Requirements
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Work schedules are subject to change, or start and end times may vary based on business needs and operational requirements.
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Flexibility and adaptability are essential to meet the demands of the role and the organization.
Physical Requirements
Navigators are often required to visit participants in non-conventional locations. Sometimes while carrying supplies and needed equipment. This may include…
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Walking extensive distances
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Walking on unlevelled terrain
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Carrying up to 30lbs for extensive distances
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Navigators are also required to work for many hours out of their vehicles making many stops throughout the day.
