Multnomah Housing Specialist III

IMPACT NW GROUP•Portland, OR

17h•Onsite

About The Position

At Impact NW, we are a nonprofit with a mission to prevent homelessness, believing in the fundamental right to a beautiful life, stability, and peace, with opportunity and community support, especially for Indigenous, Black, Brown, Melanated, Immigrant, and Asian people. We seek individuals who put people first, see the beauty in people, promote peace, and find a way. Our vision is a future where housing is a human right. The Housing Specialist III provides advanced, community-based social work services including coordination, advocacy, support, and encouragement using a Housing First framework. This position serves individuals and families experiencing chronic homelessness and/or complex housing instability, including those with high barriers. In addition to direct service, the Housing Specialist III provides mentorship and onboarding support to team members, assists supervisors with training and quality assurance efforts, supports compliance monitoring, and contributes to light financial tracking to ensure alignment with funder and agency expectations. The primary working location for this position is at Beacon at Glisan Landing in Multnomah County; however, geographic boundaries are subject to change.

Requirements

Bilingual Spanish is required for this position.
Minimum of 3 years of successful housing navigation experience working with individuals and families experiencing poverty and homelessness. Minimum of 2 years for internal hires.
Demonstrated experience managing complex or high-barrier cases, including chronic homelessness.
Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying program and funder guidelines.
Experience with HMIS and agency/funder data systems required.
Demonstrated ability to effectively work within a strength-based, client-centered, Housing First service delivery model.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple and varied tasks while meeting deadlines.
Ability to work independently while serving as a collaborative team leader and resource.
Sensitivity and ability to relate to individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Workspace computer programs.
Ability to travel efficiently in urban and rural areas and between multiple counties.
Personal transportation and a valid driver’s license with acceptable driving history.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field preferred; equivalent professional or lived experience may be substituted for education requirements.
Experience mentoring, training, or supporting staff development preferred.
Experience supporting documentation compliance, audits, or quality assurance processes preferred.

Responsibilities

Maintain advanced working knowledge of all program requirements, including eligibility, enrollment standards, documentation expectations, and funder definitions.
Conduct screening, intake, and referral of internal and external requests for service.
Manage a caseload that includes high-acuity and complex cases requiring advanced problem-solving, landlord negotiation, and barrier removal.
Provide progressive person-centered, trauma-informed, and strength-based engagement, assessment, and ongoing case management using the principles of Assertive Engagement and Housing First.
Develop and maintain client relationships that promote long-term housing stability, independence, and self-determination.
Conduct housing search assistance, landlord/property manager negotiation, habitability inspections, and advocacy to support successful lease-up and retention.
Research and compile information on new housing and community resources; distribute updated information to staff and participants as appropriate.
Provide education regarding public benefits (WIC, Medicaid, TANF, SNAP, veteran-specific benefits, SSD, SSI, Medicare, etc.) while ensuring participant choice and autonomy.
Coordinate multi-disciplinary service providers (e.g., healthcare, addictions, mental health, employment, and social services) to support holistic client stability.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of mental health, addiction recovery, disability, and social service resources in the metro area.
Meet client service standards set forth by HSN Department Leadership regarding quantity, type, and quality of services delivered.
Serve as a mentor and resource to Housing Specialist II staff.
Support onboarding new team members through shadowing, case consultation, process guidance, and modeling of best practices.
Assist supervisors with training efforts related to housing navigation, documentation standards, landlord engagement, and program procedures.
Provide guidance to team members on complex cases, eligibility interpretation, and barrier resolution strategies.
Model professional communication, documentation quality, and Housing First principles in daily practice.
Maintain expert-level knowledge of and compliance with program policies, departmental tools, agency procedures, and funder requirements.
Assist with file reviews and quality assurance activities to ensure timely, accurate, and complete case records.
Support accurate and timely data entry in HMIS and agency/funder data systems.
Assist with preparation for audits, monitoring visits, or internal compliance reviews.
Ensure accurate documentation of financial assistance in compliance with funder requirements.
Support timely submission of required program documentation and reports.
Represent the program in internal and external meetings as delegated.
Serve as a liaison with landlords and community partners to resolve complex housing barriers.
Meet face to face with walk-ins and respond to calls and emails from housing unstable individuals seeking information and support, as assigned.
Accept other work assignments as assigned by HSN Department Leadership.