NAVIGATOR-

Interfaith Works • Olympia, WA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Navigation Team serves a wide range of functions, including advocacy, case management, and peer counseling in order to increase social inclusion and retention in social services. We work under a variety of funding to prioritize serving single adults with the highest needs who struggle to navigate institutional resources. The Navigation Team is dedicated to providing a bridge to more traditional services as an act of social justice and as a platform for strengthening community agency.

Requirements

• Ability to read and interpret documents.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Must be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing to all levels of the organization.
• Have the ability to follow through with job commitment.
• Demonstrate the necessary attitudes, knowledge, skills, willingness, and self-awareness to deliver culturally competent services and work effectively in a multicultural environment with a variety of situations.
• In particular, addressing and interrupting oppression in all forms on an ongoing basis.
• Ability to work effectively with participants displaying a varying range of social behaviors.
• Ability to regularly communicate along clearly understood lines of authority.
• Availability to work on-call and flexible hours depending on emergent circumstances.
• Must already have or be able to obtain a Certified Peer Support Specialist certification.
• Must be able to complete initial training within 6 months of hire.
• Ability to file paperwork efficiently in a neat and time-sensitive manner.
• Ability to resolve conflicts in a respectful and culturally humble manner.
• Must be able to construct and maintain professional boundaries as well as consistently implement such boundaries.
• Must be a good communicator, good listener, and maintain kindness within often unpredictable dynamics.
• Ability to meet our participants “where they’re at” without judgment or prejudice.
• Flexibility, creativity, and resourcefulness are necessary skills to have in this job.
• Have access to reliable transportation and be able to arrive on time each day.
• Must already have or be able to obtain a Certified Peer Counselor certification within six months of hire.
• Must have a working phone for communication.
• Ability to work extended hours when required.
• Demonstrated dependability, maturity, and initiative.
• Ability to handle crises and accomplish tasks assigned with minimal supervision.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to maintain program/guest/agency confidentiality, and treat each individual with dignity and respect.
• Ability to set and observe appropriate personal limits and boundaries, especially with respect to shelter guests.
• Ability to relate positively to supervisor, fellow employees, and all shelter guests.
• Flexibility to deal effectively with a variety of people, situations, problems, and changes in an ever-changing and occasionally stressful environment.
• Must have the ability to pass a required background check as part of our hiring process.
• Support and uphold the mission, values, and philosophical foundation of all IW HS programs.
• Ability to balance program expenses and have relevant awareness of budget expenditures.
• Be responsive, strengths based, aware of personal biases, and uphold professional boundaries.
• Support and aid in the growth and development of a tenant's sense of belonging, self-worth, independence, and confidence in reaching goals.
• No educational requirement.
• Experience in direct service and community organizing is desirable; personal experience and understanding of the homeless population may be substituted.
• Must successfully pass required background checks before an offer of employment.
• Must have a valid state driver’s license and be willing to disclose driving record.

Responsibilities

• Advocate, counsel, and navigate services for clients getting and keeping permanent supportive housing at Sandy’s Flats.
• Assist tenants in stabilizing in and retaining permanent housing, improving health and self-sufficiency, and fostering the growth and development of a supportive community.
• Ensure decision-making responsibilities are being provided to maintain tenants’ housing stability and sustain the health and well-being of tenants residing at Sandy’s Flats.
• Provide culturally appropriate, voluntary, and confidential services to formerly homeless residents living at Sandy’s Flats.
• Assist tenants in breaking the cycle of homelessness and addressing their mental health, substance use, and medical needs.
• Attend all ongoing training, supervision sessions, weekly case conferencing meetings, and regular scheduled meetings (including, but not limited to: weekly coordination meeting, monthly strategy development meeting, monthly community events, and monthly tenant meetings) and all community events.
• Create tailored and documented service plans with tenants who choose to engage in case management based on their specific expressed needs and wants.
• Promote long-term independent living and to assist tenants to retain their housing by working with the tenant to secure necessary supports.
• Promote the growth and development of a safe and supportive community that provides tenants with opportunities to become actively engaged in their community.
• Provide tenants with the opportunity to give feedback to improve programming.
• Grow and support the development of a diverse and highly skilled Navigation Team Unit that is responsive to the needs of IFW’s tenants.
• Outreach to tenants within 5 days of move-in to welcome tenants to the building and schedule intake appointments.
• Maintain neat and up-to-date records of tenants’ paperwork.
• Coordinate apartment wellness checks with the Property Management in the event a tenant may be having a mental health or medical emergency.
• Review incident reports/tenant complaints and respond with a documented follow-up plan within 2 days.
• Work with the Property Management to help tenants address housekeeping or maintenance concerns that may jeopardize the tenant's housing, including being available for walkthroughs.
• Assist tenants in the event of a Lease Violation Notice with documented follow-up updates to Property Management.
• Meet with Property Management to discuss possible Eviction Prevention Plans, present tenants with Eviction Prevention Plans, and review consequences of not agreeing to terms defined by the contract.
• Outreach to tenants within 2 business days of receipt of notice to offer eviction prevention services, including rental assistance if needed, and other referrals necessary to assist the tenant in maintaining housing, and review the consequences of eviction with the tenant.
• Make appropriate referrals and encourage tenants to surrender the premises before eviction.
• Explain the process of eviction to tenants who have received a Sheriff’s Notice posted, and provide the tenant with appropriate referrals.
• Provide up to 30 days of after-care service to tenants who have moved out.
• Complete and maintain current knowledge of all necessary paperwork.

Benefits

• 10 recognized holidays
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance - Free for employees working 25 hours and above (Begins on the 1st day of the month following 60-day probation)
• PTO (paid time off) – 9 hours for every 80 hours worked
• Training and Career Development Program
• Access to free mental health counseling

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed