Housing Specialist Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social services or a related field, or equivalent experience working in shelter, social services, or case management.
• Experience working in a shelter setting or with people experiencing homelessness is strongly desired.
• Experience conducting group trainings.
• Basic knowledge of Housing First principles.
• Ability to work compassionately and in a trauma-informed way with clients who may have substance use disorders, untreated mental health conditions, or significant trauma.
• Ability to proficiently speak, read, write, and understand English.
• Ability and willingness to work with people of varied racial, cultural, social, and economic backgrounds, lifestyles, sexual orientations, ages, and genders.
• Strong time-management and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Outlook, and ability to learn new software and database systems quickly.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented organization.
• Creative problem-solving, healthy professional-boundary setting, conflict mediation, and crisis-management skills.
• Ability to understand and track funder requirements and ensure accurate, timely data collection and entry.
• Motivation, resourcefulness, flexibility, and a positive attitude under pressure.
• Willingness and ability to work occasional evenings and weekends in response to guests’ needs.
• Attention to detail; ability to interact in person and by email, use critical thinking to develop and implement plans and documentation, and listen and participate verbally in meetings.
• Willingness to take a TB test within 30 days of hire.
• Ability to perform the essential duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with city and county services and resources for families experiencing homelessness.
• Basic understanding of Harm Reduction and Trauma Informed Care.
• Proficiency in another language, particularly Portuguese, Amharic, Spanish, Lingala, Oromo, French, Russian, Tigrinya, or Marshallese.

Responsibilities

• Work individually with families to set and meet housing goals, identify barriers, and develop housing plans.
• Complete vulnerability and housing assessments for families and prepare screening reports.
• Use the Agency database to assess housing options and document client meetings, goals, and barriers accurately and promptly.
• Seek out housing opportunities and resources, conduct internet-based housing searches, and assist families with housing authority applications.
• Help families overcome housing barriers by connecting them with resources, obtaining documentation, and addressing housing debt.
• Help families navigate immigration-related barriers by connecting them with legal resources or assisting with immigration paperwork.
• Use appropriate procedures to help guests access flexible funding assistance.
• Collaborate with Family and Shelter Advocates, Housing Locators, Youth Services, Health Services, and the Economic Advancement Coordinator to refer guests to internal resources.
• Cover various shelter sites as needed.
• Refer guests to outside providers and services that Mary’s Place does not offer.
• Gather and verify documents provided by properties or landlords to determine eligibility.
• Conduct weekly meetings and check-ins with every assigned guest.
• Attend staff meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Benefits

• Medical and dental insurance, with core employee coverage paid at 100% by the company and competitive family rates.
• Basic life insurance of $50,000 at no cost to the employee, with an option to purchase additional coverage.
• 403(b) plan with a 50% employer match on the first 6% of employee contributions; participation is available upon hire and the match begins after the first year of employment.
• Unlimited-use ORCA pass for a small deduction per pay period.
• 10 days of paid time off per calendar year, accrued by pay period.
• 10 days of sick time per calendar year, accrued by pay period.
• 10 days of flexible floating holidays per calendar year, accrued as 40 hours on January 1 and 40 hours on July 1; prorated in the first year based on hire date.
• Employee Assistance Program.