Property Engagement Specialist

Vancouver Housing Authority•Vancouver, WA

12d•$30 - $36

About The Position

Access to, and support to maintain safe, affordable housing remains a significant challenge for program-supported households in Clark County. As the point of entry for the homeless response system, Council for the Homeless (CFTH) is uniquely positioned to foster productive partnerships that address these challenges. The Property Engagement Specialist is a staff position dedicated to strengthening collaboration between program participants and property management companies throughout Clark County. The role will serve as a critical liaison connecting property managers, tenants, and social service providers to identify and overcome barriers to housing access and to build long-term affordable housing solutions. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Maintains a positive work atmosphere with superior customer service and focus on trauma informed care, participant centered practices, motivational interviewing, active listening, boundaries, and other strength-based approaches. Solicits and incorporates feedback from participants and agency partners into service delivery. Collects and maintains accurate data quality standards specific to property management and supports creation of a centralized property management system. Personal and professional commitment to ongoing learning, engagement and change that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as aligning with CFTH commitment to the Agreements. Conduct outreach and build relationships with local property managers. Organize roundtable discussions to surface and address systemic barriers faced by tenants and property managers. Offer technical support and education about housing programs and resources. Serve as a resource for both property managers and case managers, facilitating communication and problem-solving. Fully incorporate CFTH and system values, including maintaining strict confidentiality of participant information. Train property management partners on data sensitivity and confidentiality best practices. Identify and develop trainings for property management staff focused on de-escalation, cultural competency, and other requested topics. Provide educational supports and tools to prospective tenants to increase long term stability in housing. GENERAL DUTIES: Exhibits strong initiative, understands homelessness and all the barriers associated with houselessness, and strong ethics and boundaries that allows for organization accountability. Complies consistently with agency practices, policies, and procedures. Executes general administrative tasks effectively and in a timely manner. SECONDARY FUNCTIONS Work collaboratively with community partners to advocate and educate the community of property management and tenants. Represent the agency at various community meetings in an appropriate manner. Performs related duties and responsibilities as required. DEMANDS/COMPLEXITY The Property Management Specialist will play a critical role in expanding access to housing by establishing and maintaining strategic relationships with property management partners, landlords, and housing providers. This position is designed to build systems and partnerships that streamline housing access for program participants, particularly those experiencing homelessness or housing instability. While this role is deeply connected to CFTH’s existing work, it represents a new and innovative direction for the organization. As such, the position will require a creative, adaptable, and persistent approach, with the understanding that progress may be gradual and involve a degree of trial and error. The ideal candidate will be comfortable navigating ambiguity, building something from the ground up, and collaborating across teams to shape a sustainable housing access strategy. Position requires a high degree of complexity, self-direction, customer service skills. Position will include a combination of working in office, remotely from home, as well as in the community. A strong relationship with community partners, and staff will be essential for the success of the position. CONTACTS WITH OTHERS Contacts are normally made within the CFTH offices and outside the agency. They frequently contain confidential/sensitive information always necessitating discretion.

Requirements

Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required to effectively administer programs and to attract and retain program participants.
Strong interpersonal skills are required to work with staff and participants from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
Knowledge of Clark County resources for low income and homeless individuals and families is essential for this position, as well as knowledge of the property management sector.
Language (Russian, Ukrainian, Spanish, Chuukese, ASL) skills preferred.
Position requires significant computer and analytical skills to perform job functions.
Constant independent judgment and/or action, organizational skills, customer service, decision making, and use of discretion are required.
Understanding and comfort with creating and maintaining boundaries with community partners will be crucial in this role.
Frequent creativity, collaboration and problem analysis required.
Candidate must read, speak, write and understand English to work effectively with staff, community partners, and participants.
Data analysis and math skills are necessary understand data and translate to outcomes.
Frequent physical activities are standing, walking, talking, sitting, and hearing/listening.
Occasional physical activities are grasping, repetitive motions of hands/wrists and handling.
Stooping, bending, and reaching are rarely required.
This role primarily sits at a computer.
Minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience in property management, preferably in environments with multiple operational focus areas such as lease administration, and tenant relations.
Proven ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining a high level of organization, professionalism, and responsiveness.
Demonstrated success in navigating complex property issues, including tenant disputes, emergency repairs, and regulatory compliance, with a solutions-oriented mindset.
Skilled in building trust and rapport with vulnerable populations, advocating for resident needs, and collaborating with case managers, service providers, and community partners to ensure housing stability.
Knowledge of Clark County resources and agencies that support the homeless response system, tenants, and property management.
Experience and/or knowledge of property management, tenant rights and laws governing landowners.
Excellent communication and time management skills required.
Valid driver’s license and access to automobile required.

Nice To Haves

Lived experience as someone who is or was low-income, homeless and/or in recovery.
Exceptional verbal and written communication.
Speaks a language(s) other than English and reflects our diverse community.
Experience using databases.
Knowledge of Clark County resources and agencies that serve people experiencing homelessness and housing instability.
Knowledge of resources for landowners and property managers in Clark County.
Experience working with individuals and families who are low-income and/or experiencing homelessness, with a strong understanding of trauma-informed care, housing-first principles, and supportive service coordination.
Demonstrated ability to maintain and regularly update a comprehensive list of property management contacts, landlords, and other viable housing options to support rapid and sustainable housing placements.
Candidates from Communities of Color, Veterans, seniors, people with disabilities, and those who identify as LGBTQ+ are highly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Maintains a positive work atmosphere with superior customer service and focus on trauma informed care, participant centered practices, motivational interviewing, active listening, boundaries, and other strength-based approaches.
Solicits and incorporates feedback from participants and agency partners into service delivery.
Collects and maintains accurate data quality standards specific to property management and supports creation of a centralized property management system.
Personal and professional commitment to ongoing learning, engagement and change that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as aligning with CFTH commitment to the Agreements.
Conduct outreach and build relationships with local property managers.
Organize roundtable discussions to surface and address systemic barriers faced by tenants and property managers.
Offer technical support and education about housing programs and resources.
Serve as a resource for both property managers and case managers, facilitating communication and problem-solving.
Fully incorporate CFTH and system values, including maintaining strict confidentiality of participant information.
Train property management partners on data sensitivity and confidentiality best practices.
Identify and develop trainings for property management staff focused on de-escalation, cultural competency, and other requested topics.
Provide educational supports and tools to prospective tenants to increase long term stability in housing.
Exhibits strong initiative, understands homelessness and all the barriers associated with houselessness, and strong ethics and boundaries that allows for organization accountability.
Complies consistently with agency practices, policies, and procedures.
Executes general administrative tasks effectively and in a timely manner.
Work collaboratively with community partners to advocate and educate the community of property management and tenants.
Represent the agency at various community meetings in an appropriate manner.
Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.