Housing Navigator

Homeless Action Center • Oakland, CA

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Homeless Action Center (HAC) is a community-based legal services program founded in 1990 to provide legal services to people who are homeless in Alameda County. HAC’s specialty is public benefits advocacy, with a focus on Social Security disability benefits and a goal of stabilizing and increasing clients’ income so that they can obtain sustainable housing and health care. Employing a client-centered model and harm reduction framework, HAC’s staff work closely with other legal and social services programs to assist clients in meeting their emergency and longer-term needs during the process of obtaining benefits. HAC is committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and working diligently toward an anti-racist organization and society.

Requirements

• A clear understanding of, and the ability to demonstrate, professional ethics, boundaries, and judgment
• Integrity to handle sensitive information in a confidential manner and to follow the confidentiality practices of a law office
• Initiative, flexibility, and the capacity to respond effectively in all situations with strong organizational skills
• Substantial demonstrated knowledge/experience working with people in crises or unstable housing situations
• Education in trauma, domestic violence, substance abuse, and mental health issues
• Must have Class C California Driver’s License with a clean driving record
• Knowledgeable of available resources in the East Bay
• The necessary attitudes, knowledge, and skills to demonstrate cultural humility, deliver culturally competent services and work effectively in cross-cultural situations
• Understanding of and enthusiasm for employing harm reduction principles in dealing with issues arising from substance use, mental illness, and homelessness

Responsibilities

• Ensuring quality data collection and accurate documentation of multiple reports
• Completing software and database trainings to qualify for access to county level data
• Assisting clients in obtaining and submitting documentation including identity documents from government agencies and disability verifications from medical providers
• Monitoring and identifying affordable housing opportunities
• Assisting clients in submitting housing applications
• Verifying people who self-report their homelessness which will require entering homeless encampments
• Participating in related program, agency, and community meetings as assigned
• Accompanying individuals or households to appointments and providing transportation support as needed
• Communicating and working well with all levels of representatives, internally within Homeless Action Center and externally with partner organizations
• Assessing the overall needs of a client to determine realistic goals, helping clients cope with the challenges related to unstable housing/homelessness, substance abuse, and physical and mental health issues
• Monitoring and identifying affordable housing opportunities
• Assisting clients in submitting housing applications

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Home office stipend
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Training & development
• Vision insurance
• Wellness resources
• Employer paid insurance: health, vision, and dental, as well as $150,000 basic term life insurance and AD&D policy, long-term disability insurance and employee assistance program.
• Coverage includes 100% employer paid medical, dental and vision insurance premiums for employee and dependent spouse/domestic partner or children; when adding spouse/domestic partner and children, 100% of the child premiums and 50% of the spouse/domestic partner premiums are paid by HAC.
• Additional optional life insurance, short-term disability, accident, and critical illness plans available.
• Optional Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for healthcare or dependent care available.
• 50% Subsidy for Commuter Check program.
• Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) in the amount of $200 subsidy per month for all staff who have student loans, regardless of salary or loan amount.
• 403(b) account available with employer contribution of up to 4% of annual salary.
• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time.

What This Job Offers

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