Housing Navigator

Metropolitan Family Services • Chicago, IL

13h • $47,000 - $53,000

About The Position

If asked to describe the culture at Metropolitan Family Services, we could do that in one word. COMMUNITY ! Reflected in both our internal culture as well as through the services we provide, community is at the heart of all we do. Metropolitan Family Services (MFS) empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan Family Services has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities. Are you looking to have an impact on more than just a company’s bottom line? Then we’d love to hear from you! We are now hiring for a full-time Housing Navigator at our Calumet office.

Requirements

• High School diploma or GED equivalent plus 4+ years’ work experience or associate’s degree plus 2+ year work experience, preferably in the field of homelessness services or in a social service-related capacity required.
• Experience working directly with individuals or families experiencing homelessness in outreach, housing navigation, or supportive services settings required.
• Demonstrated ability to render adequate service to clients and to organize and manage job efficiently.
• Requires mobility to work with community-based caseload.
• Ability to maintain assigned community and home-based services.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups.
• Must be highly organized and knowledge of Excel to track data.
• Satisfactorily pass all relevant screening and criminal background checks.
• Driving for work required with transportation of clients in a personally owned vehicle.
• Travel between sites required.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field preferred.
• Experience in social services and/or the field of gender-based violence preferred.
• Bilingual/bicultural preferred and may be required for particular programs or sites

Responsibilities

• Provide outreach and engagement to individuals and families experiencing homelessness in the community, including shelters, encampments, drop-in centers, and other locations where unhoused individuals may be present.
• Deliver direct, in-person housing support and stabilization services to persons experiencing homelessness, including crisis intervention, problem-solving, emotional support, advocacy, life skills development, and referrals to community resources.
• Conduct strengths-based assessments to identify client needs, barriers to housing, and immediate stabilization concerns, and respond using short-term, client-centered interventions.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of Metropolitan Family Services programs and relevant community-based housing, healthcare, and supportive service resources; facilitate referrals and linkages as appropriate.
• Administer required assessments, housing tools, and outcome measures in accordance with program and funder requirements.
• Accurately document services, case notes, and outcomes in HMIS and client files in a timely and complete manner.
• Participate in required supervision, team meetings, training, and program or agency-wide meetings.
• Adhere to contract, grant, and program expectations, including timelines, performance measures, and reporting requirements.
• Respond appropriately to crisis and emergency situations involving clients, following agency policies and procedures.
• Establish and maintain professional relationships with community partners, service providers, and referral sources; represent Metropolitan Family Services and the housing program effectively in the community.
• Provide linkages to essential support services such as transportation assistance, childcare resources, clothing, and employment or benefit supports, as applicable.
• Remain informed of current trends, best practices, and policy developments in homelessness and housing services; participate in ongoing professional development opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned based on the needs of the program or site.

Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Guardian Dental Coverage
• VSP Vision Coverage
• Metropolitan Family Services contributions of $2,000 to individual, and $4,000 to family, HSA accounts, pro-rated to your benefits start date.
• FREE General Medicine and Behavioral Health Teladoc services provided to all team members.
• Ascensus 401K plan services with a 4% employer match, vested at 100% on day one of eligibility.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED