Housing Specialist

POSITION TITLE: HOUSING SPECIALIST

REPORTS TO: Housing Supervisor 

SUPERVISES: N/A

POSITION SUMMARY: 

As a member of a housing team, the specialist assists households in securing and maintaining safe and affordable housing.  The Housing Specialist directly assists clients affected by HIV/AIDS and their family members who are participating in Caracole’s permanent supportive housing programs or short term housing services. Engages participants to increase independent living skills and/or income as participants work toward program graduation. Builds and maintains positive working relationships with landlords, advocates and other community providers. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field with at least six months experience in a social service setting, or equivalent experience. Basic knowledge of special needs of people living with HIV/AIDS, mental health, substance use, and homelessness. Proven ability to work harmoniously with ethnically, culturally, and racially diverse groups of individuals.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist participants in obtaining documentation and locating appropriate housing.
• Develop individualized Housing Plans.
• Manage eligibility and documentation requirements for highly-regulated programs on a rigorous timeline. 
• Coordinate care with housing team members and case managers in supporting participants’ success in maintaining housing.
• Work with participants and case managers to address participants’ needs, goals, barriers, and concerns.
• Initiate and maintain communication with participants’ case manager regarding the housing process.
• Educate clients regarding positive life skills.
• Provide transportation for clients when needed.
• Demonstrate commitment to Harm Reduction/Housing First models of housing retention.
• Ensure that all files meet program and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure that recertification of clients, documentation, database entries, and other such tasks are complete, accurate and on time.
• Complete Housing Quality Standards inspections when needed, in coordination with other members of the housing team.
• Serve as a liaison with landlords, utility companies, and the larger community.
• Market Permanent Housing Program to landlords and become familiar with housing tenant rights/laws utilizing other professional resources.
• Mediate issues between participants and landlords so that clients can maintain housing and avoid eviction.
• Assist the housing team in offering or providing input on tenant-training classes.
• Collaborate and interact with community agencies, workgroups and task forces as assigned.
• Develop new relationships with employers, community organizations, landlords, and medical professionals to assist participants with needed resources.
• Identify and pursue educational opportunities to promote professional growth.
• Participate in continuous quality improvement, group and individual supervision, and required staff meetings.
• Maintain professional boundaries and model appropriate behavior.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Ability to maintain confidentiality in verbal, print, and electronic communications.
• Basic computer skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office. 
• Read, write, speak and understand English with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Sensitivity to persons living with chronic disease (HIV/AIDS and/or addiction) and co-existing social, mental and physical conditions.
• Bilingual (Sp/En) preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This position includes time spent working in office, remote at home, and in the community. Work is generally 9-5 M-F. The employee must be able to remain in a stationary position for multiple hours. Must operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a phone and copy machine. Must have the ability to accurately communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to move throughout the building and other sites in the community. Some site visits may involve stairs. Must have driver’s license and insurance and vehicle in order to transport clients. The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

SALARY:

This is an hourly, full time position. Hourly rate will be $22.50 per hour (approx. $46,800).

BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• Hybrid work environment: in community, in office and at home, with an hour paid lunch included.
• Competitive pay; annual increases, on-demand pay advances.
• Medical health insurance, dental, and vision.
• At no cost to the employee: short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and employee assistance program.
• 401k retirement plan with company match.
• Paid paternity leave.
• Generous paid time off includes 11 paid holidays, up to 5 weeks of sick and vacation time off in your first year, and one community service day.
• Reimbursements for work-related mileage and cellphone costs.
• Nonprofit student loan forgiveness program.
• Annual training allowance for all staff to continue their education
• Social work license supervision towards independent licensure, and continuing education credits.
• Opportunities for internship or practicum supervision
• Funded through government grants, donations and program income; no medical billing.
• Mission-focused local service agency with a focus on high-quality services and high-quality employment.
• A friendly, progressive, recovery-friendly and inclusive environment that values people.

Caracole is an equal opportunity employer. We are proactively seeking a diverse applicant pool. Reflective of our strategic and client needs, we welcome applications from individuals who live with HIV or are at risk for HIV.