Housing Placement & Outreach Specialist - HS020

Native American Rehabilitation Assoc. of the NW•Portland, OR

14d•$26 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

The Housing Placement & Outreach Specialist provides culturally responsive outreach to Native American individuals and other vulnerable community members experiencing homelessness in shelters, encampments, and unsheltered locations throughout Multnomah County. Working independently and with community partners, the specialist conducts outreach, completes Coordinated Access and supportive housing assessments, facilitates referrals, and helps participants obtain documents needed to access housing. The role connects participants to housing, shelter, healthcare, behavioral health, food, clothing, employment, education, and other supportive services. The specialist provides housing navigation and short-term stabilization assistance, including housing searches, applications, lease-up coordination, move-in assistance, document readiness, and use of Short-Term Rental Assistance and Rapid Re-Housing models. Services are delivered through a culturally responsive, trauma-informed, person-centered, and nonjudgmental approach that respects participant self-determination and autonomy. The position works with community housing, health, behavioral healthcare, workforce, and other service providers, participates in coordinated outreach and care teams, and consults with clinical or housing leadership on complex cases. The role is based at Totem Lodge in Portland, Oregon. It is in person, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The position is non-exempt and pays $26.25–$30.45 per hour. NARA NW provides culturally appropriate education, physical and mental health services, and substance abuse treatment to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and others in need. Employees are required to comply with the organization's drug-free and alcohol-free workplace and modeling sobriety policies.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
QMHA (Qualified Mental Health Associate), PSS (Peer Support Specialist), CRM (Certified Recovery Mentor), and/or CADC-1 (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor I) credentialing is required within six months of hire.
Professional experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness or severe and persistent mental illness.
Demonstrated ability to present ideas, transmit information, or convey concepts to individuals or groups with varying educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds.
Ability to maintain professional boundaries with clients, the community, and other staff members.
Knowledge of housing resources and understanding of recovery-based, holistic approaches to addressing needs.
Ability to work collaboratively with clients and program staff and treat everyone with respect and dignity.
Reliable transportation, a current driver's license with a clean driving record, and proof of auto insurance.
Ability to pass pre-employment or for-cause drug testing.
Ability to pass criminal background and DMV checks.
Agreement to comply with NARA NW's Drug-Free/Alcohol-Free Workplace Certification and Modeling Sobriety policies as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

Experience working within the Native American/Alaska Native community.

Responsibilities

Engage individuals experiencing homelessness and address social, cultural, linguistic, and educational barriers by developing creative action plans for housing stability.
Provide supportive services in a culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and nonjudgmental manner.
Use a person-centered approach that respects client self-determination and autonomy, including Motivational Interviewing principles.
Conduct brief screenings and assessments as appropriate, complete Coordinated Access assessments, and perform supportive housing assessments (MSST).
Help match individuals to community-based, subsidized, treatment-focused, shared, or other housing options.
Help participants obtain documents needed for housing access, such as DMV identification, birth certificates, and Social Security cards.
Provide housing navigation, including housing search assistance, application support, lease-up coordination, move-in assistance, and short-term housing stabilization.
Use Short-Term Rental Assistance and Rapid Re-Housing models to help participants secure and maintain housing while promoting self-sufficiency and stability.
Connect participants with housing, shelter, healthcare, behavioral health, food, clothing, and other supportive services.
Coordinate with community housing providers and health and behavioral healthcare providers.
Coordinate with WorkSource Oregon, Supported Employment programs, and other workforce partners to connect participants to employment, education, vocational training, and career development.
Participate in coordinated outreach with other agencies providing street and shelter outreach, and attend collaboration meetings as a NARA NW representative when required.
Provide culturally appropriate clinical consultation and advocacy for Native American and Alaska Native individuals and families in community settings, hospitals, jails, schools, and public agencies.
Participate as a care team member by contributing input and developing strategies addressing housing, health, and psychosocial issues.
Consult with the clinical supervisor and/or housing leadership team on complex cases outside the specialist's area of expertise.
Facilitate communication and positive relationships between households, service providers, and housing providers.
Respond to outreach requests involving homeless service sites, encampments, hospitals, jails, detox centers, shelters, and street locations.

Benefits

15 paid holidays, including the employee's birthday.
13 paid days of sick time.
13 paid days of PTO, with vacation accrual increasing with years of service to a maximum of 26 days.
Affordable medical, dental, and vision insurance through Kaiser Permanente.
$50,000 life insurance and AD&D coverage.
Short-term and long-term disability.
Flexible Spending Account.
Health Spending Account.
401(k) with a 4% match.
Employee Assistance Program.
Inclement weather days (snow days).
Public Student Loan Forgiveness eligibility; NARA NW is a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit and FQHC.