Housing Navigator

City of Flagstaff•Az 86004, AZ

15h•Onsite

About The Position

The Housing Navigator provides intensive housing case management to participants in Housing Choice Voucher Programs, with a focus on clients experiencing high levels of difficulty in navigating the intricacies of applying for and maintaining assisted housing. The Housing Navigator performs eligibility interviews, determinations, inspections, unit transfers, and interim and annual reexaminations as well as providing landlord support and general client support with the goal of continued housing.

Requirements

AA degree, or 60 completed college credits
Two (2) years of relevant experience in social services, public agencies, or property leasing/management
A Valid Driver's License
Or any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the above Minimum Requirements

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in social work, public administration, psychology, political science or related field
Social service experience with direct client interactions
Knowledge of the principles and practices of legal, ethical, and professional rules of conduct
Knowledge of principles of recordkeeping, case files and records management

Responsibilities

Provides excellent customer service to both internal and external customers.
Serves as the main housing liaison and advocate between local Continuum of Care (CoC), Front Door Coordinated Entry partners, landlords, housing specialists, applicants, and clients
Responsible for receiving and assessing referrals from Front Door
Provides intensive support to help clients rent and live successfully in the private housing market including assisting the client in gathering required documents; mitigating barriers such as transportation, credit reports, utility arrears and unfavorable landlord references; and assisting in problem resolution with landlords and program participants
Conducts pre-lease briefing sessions
Advocates on client’s behalf regarding leasing issues and compliance with regulatory and lease requirements
Performs initial housing inspections and re-inspections for compliance with federal housing quality standards (HQS/NSPIRE-V)
Conducts landlord recruitment and outreach to encourage renting to clients receiving housing assistance
Assists client households related to financial management and household budgeting
Processes initial lease-ups, unit transfers, interim and annual reexaminations for housing assistance
Interviews participants for recertifications, explains housing program obligations, verifies information on the reexamination/recertification forms, and determines continued eligibility of participants
Calculates Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) payment amounts, tenant rents and utility reimbursements
Negotiates repayment agreements for approval by the Program Manager
Issues Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) to applicants, clients requesting to move, clients exercising portability options, or who require a smaller or larger unit
Responds to landlord inquiries and concerns about specific contracts and the HCV programs in general
Initiates and executes HAP contracts
Initiates Termination of Assistance of families for non-compliance, non-performance, or other grounds in conformance with established Housing Authority policy and procedures
Maintains participant and landlord files and documents historical record for each participant file
Generates and mails correspondence or notices to landlords and participants for appointments, changes in rent, termination of assistance, etc.
Prepares and distributes incoming/outgoing mail and files necessary information into client’s files
Provides data entry for all adjustments or changes to participant data
Prepares monthly reports to advise supervisor of caseload status
Contributes to team effort by accomplishing all other duties assigned
Safely operates a vehicle in the performance of job related duties.
Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Competitive pay
Outstanding benefits
Arizona State Retirement System with 100% Match
Deferred Compensation Options
Up to 4% Annual Pay for Performance Increase
Group Insurance including Health, Dental and Vision coverage
Flexible & Health Savings Accounts
13 Paid Holidays, Vacation, Sick Leave, Personal Leave, Paid Parental Leave, Bereavement, Jury Duty
Life Insurance, AD&D, Short- and Long-Term Disability and Voluntary Life Insurance
First-Time Homebuyer Assistance
Qualified Public Student Loan Forgiveness Employer
Tuition Assistance
Employee Clinic, Telehealth, Wellness Program & Incentives
Tobacco Cessation Program
Employer Assistance Program
Recognition including Work i versary, Wonderful Outstanding Worker (WOW), On-the-Spot, 7k Award, and City Manager's Excellence Awards
Employee Discounts: Mountain L ine Bus Eco Pass, Aquaplex, and Recreation Centers