Landlord Engagement Specialist - $20+ - Full Time
About The Position
DVSSP is dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible workplace that fosters a sense of belonging. This position will be hybrid/home office based and will include regular weekly attendance of required meetings and collaboration at any of our Agency locations. The role focuses on helping and empowering people, learning new skills, and training volunteers. The Landlord Engagement Specialist will conduct outreach and expand access to housing by cultivating relationships with property owners and management companies, and connecting with landlords via neighborhood outreach, Internet search, and networking events. They will develop expertise in available affordable housing sites and housing subsidies, identify and place clients of the emergency shelter into appropriate housing with the goal of housing clients in fewer than 90 days of acceptance into the program, and develop and maintain an accurate and current housing portfolio. The specialist will provide clients with listings of potential housing options, help clients mitigate issues impacting housing eligibility, and assist clients in their housing search, including applying for apartments, negotiating with potential landlords, making referrals, and accompanying clients to viewings. They will also assist with housing applications, track application status, advocate on behalf of clients, complete timely inspections, arrange landlord corrective actions, determine rent reasonableness, complete landlord certification, and explain and review lease agreements. Additionally, the role involves assisting clients with moving, conducting post-placement home visits, providing resources for housing retention, participating in Coordinated Entry, maintaining proficiency in PCADV RRH regulations, understanding Fair Housing regulations, distributing relocation funds, providing direct services such as counseling and safety planning, reporting child abuse as mandated by law, assisting clients with goals and life skills, maintaining detailed electronic records, ensuring confidentiality, and participating in required meetings and continuing education training.
Requirements
- Translatable work experience
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
- Ability to provide on-going supervision, training, and professional development
- Collaborate with peers and other departments within the agency
- Working knowledge of community resources
- Ability to maintain confidentiality
- Proficient computer, Internet, and email skills
- Possess current PA driver’s license, insurance, and reliable vehicle
Nice To Haves
- B.A., or B.S. in related field, (M.S.W. or M.A. preferred) OR equivalent work experience
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
- Ability to provide on-going supervision, training, and professional development
- Collaborate with peers and other departments within the agency
- Working knowledge of community resources
- Ability to maintain confidentiality
- Proficient computer, Internet, and email skills
Responsibilities
- Conducts outreach and expands access to housing by cultivating relationships with property owners and management companies and connecting with landlords via neighborhood outreach, Internet search, and networking events.
- Develops expertise in available affordable housing sites and housing subsidies.
- Identifies and places clients of the emergency shelter into appropriate housing with the goal of housing clients in fewer than 90 days of acceptance into the program.
- Develops and maintains accurate and current housing portfolio.
- Provides clients with listings of potential housing options in alignment with their needs and geographic preferences.
- Helps clients to mitigate issues with credit reports, utility arrears, criminal records, unfavorable landlord references, and other issues which may impact housing eligibility.
- Assists clients in their housing search, including applying for apartments, negotiating with potential landlords, making referrals to clearinghouses or other housing location services, and accompanying clients to apartment viewings as needed.
- Assists clients with housing applications including preparing/obtaining any needed documentation and tracking application status.
- Advocates on behalf of clients to expedite their access to housing.
- Completes timely inspections and arranges any necessary landlord corrective actions.
- Determines rent reasonableness for inspected units prior to rental assistance and lease approval.
- Completes landlord certification.
- Explains and reviews the lease agreement with the incoming client.
- Assists clients with moving (help locating affordable moving companies, locating storage units, acquiring furniture and other move-in essentials, etc.).
- Conducts required in-person post-placement home visits, mitigates risks, and helps improve the likelihood of housing retention by providing resources including but not limited to budgeting, efficient use of utilities, maintaining a clean, safe home, information on utility programs, and Prepared Renter Education Program (PREP).
- Participates in Coordinated Entry by completing CE assessments, attending case conferencing, and educating clients on the process.
- Maintains proficiency in PCADV RRH regulations and guidelines.
- Possesses understanding in Fair Housing regulations and makes referrals to Summit Legal Aid as appropriate and necessary.
- Distribute relocation funds and other flexible funding to eligible clients as needed.
- Provide direct services including: telephone hotline counseling, safety planning, information and referrals, accompaniment, individual advocacy, individual empowerment counseling, legal advocacy, transportation, support groups, and victim compensation assistance as relevant to work site.
- Report child abuse as mandated by law, reinforcing to volunteers that they are mandated reporters and required to report child abuse as directed by the requisite process in place.
- Assist clients with goals and life skills.
- Maintain detailed and timely electronic counseling records in any and all Agency, Program specific, and Funding required Client Databases.
- Prepare and submit all statistics and reports as instructed.
- Maintain facility, staff, volunteer, and client confidentiality at all times.
- Participate in all required RHAB, LHOT, and Housing Coalition meetings and conferences.
- Complete necessary continuing education training as relevant to domestic violence and/or housing.
Benefits
- Flexible Scheduling
- Paid Training
- Competitive Pay
- Annual education opportunities
- Internal Advancement
- Comprehensive Benefit package including PTO, Sick Time, and Agency Vehicle use for work related travel
- Pension
- Life Insurance
- Extended Paid Leave
- Medical/Dental/Vision
- Eligibility for the Student Loan Forgiveness Program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Associate degree
