Multnomah Housing Specialist III (Bilingual Spanish)

IMPACT NW GROUP • Portland, OR

5d • $27 - $28 • Onsite

About The Position

Impact NW is a nonprofit working to prevent homelessness and advance housing as a human right. The Housing Specialist III provides advanced, community-based social work services to individuals and families experiencing chronic homelessness or complex housing instability, including people facing high barriers. Services include coordination, advocacy, support, and encouragement using Housing First, person-centered, trauma-informed, and strength-based approaches. The position manages complex cases and supports participants in achieving long-term housing stability, independence, and self-determination.

Alongside direct services, the role mentors and helps onboard Housing Specialist II staff, supports supervisors’ training and quality assurance work, assists with compliance monitoring, and contributes to financial tracking and documentation. The position works primarily in Multnomah County, with geographic boundaries subject to change. It is on-site Monday through Friday; hybrid work is not permitted. Significant driving and travel within the Portland Metro area are required, with occasional early morning, evening, and weekend meetings.

Requirements

• Bilingual Spanish is required.
• At least 3 years of successful housing navigation experience working with individuals and families experiencing poverty and homelessness.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex or high-barrier cases, including chronic homelessness.
• Experience with HMIS and agency or funder data systems.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a strength-based, client-centered, Housing First service delivery model.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize varied tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently while serving as a collaborative team leader and resource.
• Sensitivity and ability to relate to people from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
• Ability to travel and drive efficiently in urban and rural areas and between multiple counties.
• Valid driver’s license, good driving record, and dependable personal transportation for agency-related driving.
• Ability to perform frequent repetitive motions, sit for prolonged periods, and maintain extensive visual focus.
• Ability to work on-site Monday through Friday; hybrid work is not permitted.
• Ability to manage significant driving and travel within the Portland Metro area and occasional early morning, evening, and weekend meetings.
• Ability to work with periodic exposure to individuals who may be angry or distressed.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Maintain advanced knowledge of program requirements, including eligibility, enrollment standards, documentation expectations, and funder definitions.
• Screen, conduct intake for, and refer internal and external service requests.
• Manage a caseload that includes high-acuity and complex cases requiring advanced problem-solving, landlord negotiation, and barrier removal.
• Engage, assess, and provide ongoing case management using person-centered, trauma-informed, strength-based, Assertive Engagement, and Housing First approaches.
• Build and maintain client relationships that promote long-term housing stability, independence, and self-determination.
• Assist with housing searches; negotiate with landlords and property managers; conduct habitability inspections; and advocate for successful lease-up and housing retention.
• Research housing and community resources and share updated information with staff and participants as appropriate.
• Educate participants about public benefits, including WIC, Medicaid, TANF, SNAP, veteran-specific benefits, SSD, SSI, and Medicare, while respecting their choice and autonomy.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary service providers, including healthcare, addiction, mental health, employment, and social service providers.
• Maintain current knowledge of mental health, addiction recovery, disability, and social service resources in the metro area.
• Meet client service standards established by HSN Department Leadership for the quantity, type, and quality of services delivered.
• Mentor and serve as a resource to Housing Specialist II staff.
• Support onboarding through shadowing, case consultation, process guidance, and modeling best practices.
• Assist supervisors with training on housing navigation, documentation standards, landlord engagement, and program procedures.
• Guide team members on complex cases, eligibility interpretation, and barrier-resolution strategies; model professional communication, documentation quality, and Housing First principles.
• Maintain expert-level knowledge of and compliance with program policies, departmental tools, agency procedures, and funder requirements.
• Assist with file reviews and quality assurance to ensure case records are timely, accurate, and complete.
• Support accurate and timely data entry in HMIS and agency or funder data systems.
• Assist in preparing for audits, monitoring visits, and internal compliance reviews.
• Ensure accurate documentation of financial assistance and support timely submission of required program documents and reports.
• Represent the program at internal and external meetings as delegated.
• Liaise with landlords and community partners to resolve complex housing barriers.
• Meet with walk-ins and respond to calls and emails from housing-unstable individuals seeking information and support, as assigned.
• Drive on behalf of the agency using dependable personal transportation; maintain a valid driver’s license and good driving record.
• Accept other work assignments as assigned by HSN Department Leadership.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off (PTO) and additional self-care leave.
• Employer-paid employee health insurance and an employer-contributed Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA).
• Employer-paid long-term disability insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program offering free and confidential support for mental health, finances, and other needs.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contribution.
• Positive, inclusive, and mission-driven work culture where team members are valued and supported.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed