Eviction Prevention Specialist

FORKIDS INC•Chesapeake, VA

3d•$22 - $26

About The Position

The Eviction Prevention Specialist provides housing stabilization services to households facing or potentially facing eviction through education programs, mediation, referrals to community-based supports, and short-term financial assistance when available. The Eviction Prevention Specialist also assists with outreach to targeted neighborhoods and educates landlords and community partners about the program. The Eviction Prevention Specialist works a flexible schedule, including 2-3 evenings and 1 weekend day per month as necessary.

Requirements

Education and Experience: Combination of experience and education sufficient to meet the essential skills and knowledge of the position, with a minimum of one year of crisis counseling and/or homeless shelter or other relevant work experience.
Essential Functions, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Considerable knowledge of social, economic and health problems as they relate to homeless households.
Ability to be objective and calm in a stressful environment.
Knowledge of community and social agencies and resources.
Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
Ability to work with a diverse population.
Ability to make sound judgments within the framework of existing policies and procedures.
Knowledge of the use of personal computers and standard office software.
Ability to accurately track and report data.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers, co-workers and with representatives of other agencies and programs.
Ability to work regular evening hours as scheduled.
Valid driver’s license with no more than two at-fault accidents, three minor moving violations or four nonmoving violations in the past three years and no major moving violations in the past four years.

Responsibilities

Outreach: In collaboration with the PM - VERP and the Crisis Response Director (CRD), create and implement an outreach plan that ensures services are available to the most vulnerable households across the designated service area.
Lead workshops and information sessions about the eviction process, tenant rights, working with landlords, and developing household spending plans.
Court observation and navigation as needed.
In collaboration with PM - VERP and CRD, triage households, focusing on those that require immediate attention to lessen the risk of eviction.
Conduct individual needs assessment with households that request additional supports at workshops or are referred through Court Navigators, the Housing Crisis Hotline, and community VERP partners.
Connect households with appropriate community services and programs for long-term solutions, ensuring that the household understands the requirements and purpose of the program to which they are being referred.
Conduct mediation sessions with participants and landlords as needed to restore communications and establish eviction prevention plans.
When required, use Financial Assistance funds to facilitate housing stability, and effective solutions to identified needs.
Attend community outreach events throughout the designated service area.
Use a housing first approach to rapidly resolve the threat of eviction and address or eliminate barriers to maintaining and sustaining housing
Develop and cultivate relationships with local property management agencies to seek housing for participants and to encourage property managers to modify tenant selection criteria to accommodate participants facing homelessness.
Assist participants in becoming familiar and identifying financial concerns that could cause possible challenges for housing stabilization and eviction prevention.
Other duties as assigned.
Customer Service: Provide service to internal and external customers according to standards as outlined in ForKids Customer CARE Manual.
Financial Management: Use agency resources (financial and non-financial) prudently. Acknowledge and follow financial policies of the agency.
Grants Data Management: Accurately complete all required data reporting in accordance with established guidelines. Participate in all scheduled data collection trainings.
Community Engagement: Participate in development and fundraising activities as needed and requested (ex: meeting with donors, providing tours, attending fundraising events).