Navigator II - Housing/ Food

Job Title: Navigator II - Housing/ Food

Department: Economic and Community Based Services  

FLSA Status: Non-exempt  

Hours/Weeks: Full Year, Full Time 

Hiring Range: $19.50 - $21.01

NEKCA Mission Statement:

To empower all generations in the Northeast Kingdom to grow, prosper, and thrive.

SUMMARY:

Navigators at NEKCA help community participants access a variety of our services utilizing a human-centered approach. Through compassion and relationship-building, Navigators support with program intake, filing appropriate benefit applications, service delivery, and data collection. Navigators are often the first faces that participants see and help make our spaces and services warm and welcoming.

This position is a Housing Retention Navigator II for the Housing and Homelessness Program in the Economic and Community Based Services Department which primarily works with participants who have, or are experiencing homelessness. Additionally, this position supports community members needing access to food support.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

•   Perform intake per requirements of NEKCA/grantor. Determine and verify income for all applicants in accordance with program guidelines.
•   Collect and report all data accurately and timely into GoEngage to meet program deadlines
•   Assess participants in crisis to determine immediate needs and develop plan for response, including referrals (interagency and external)
•   Work collaboratively with community partners to address needs of low-income households
•   Understand and follow all program guidance and policies
•   Attend and participate in staff, agency and community meetings deemed necessary for job performance.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

•   Enter and maintain data in programmatic database(s) in an accurate and timely manner.
•   Attend community partner, local housing coalition, housing review team (HRT) and others as deemed necessary.
•   Meet with participants in home visits, in office, and/or community settings.
•   Assist in landlord communication and support.
•   Assist in creating and maintaining a housing stability plan.
•   Assist participants in financial assistance and other housing applications as needed.
•   Support participants in Rapid Rehousing (RRH) and retention efforts.
•   Assist in grant reporting on a quarterly basis.
•  Street outreach to meet with participants at encampments, shelter sites, or other community-based locations.
•  Provision of food to community members, intake forms on yearly basis.
•  Stocking, ordering, recovery pick up, and other food shelf-related tasks as deemed necessary.

Core Competencies:

•   Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Must be able to maintain good relations with participants, other staff, and members of the community.
•   Must have knowledge of basic computer skills and record keeping, including spreadsheet applications.
•   Proficiency in Microsoft Office products and database management systems.
•   This position is considered a mandated reporter.
•   Must be responsible, self-motivated, self-initiated, may need to work flexible hours (program dependent)
•   Demonstrate positive problem-solving skills in stressful situations.
•   Demonstrate the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
•   Demonstrate familiarity with, and sensitivity to the challenges faced by low-income individuals, and some knowledge of the community and available resources to address them.
•   Maintain confidentiality.
•   Complete all required trainings and professional development.

Core Values:

•  Demonstrate competency in all five areas of NEKCA’s Core Values.
•  Empower individuals to recognize and utilize their potential for growth and positive change.
•  Build and maintain strong relationships with the local community.
•  Involve community members in the organization's initiatives and decision-making processes.
•  Uphold ethical standards in all interactions with participants and the community.
•  Participate in self-reflection and self-care practices to prevent burnout.
•  Adhere to ethical guidelines and professional codes of conduct.
•  Maintain participant confidentiality and ensure participant safety.
•  Use clear, respectful, and professional language and behavior when communicating with participants, colleagues, and other service providers.
•  Demonstrate a genuine understanding of and care for the needs and feelings of participants or service users.
•  In-person attendance required during scheduled hours as defined by your supervisor.
•  Be respectful and sensitive to participants’ unique situations and challenges.
•  Represent NEKCA in public and advocate for its mission.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Employees in this position work primarily in an office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions. The work involves sitting for extended periods of time, using a computer and other office equipment, and will require lifting of up to 50 pounds. Position has regular bending, stooping, or reaching for items. Standing or moving around the office area.

Travel: Home visits involve travel to participants' homes. This can vary from local travel to covering a larger geographic area, depending on the nature of the job.

Participant Diversity: Professionals conducting home visits often work with a diverse range of participants, each with unique needs, backgrounds, and living conditions.

Safety Considerations: Safety is a crucial aspect of home visits. Professionals need to be aware of their surroundings and take precautions to ensure their safety, especially if they are visiting unfamiliar or potentially risky environments.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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The responsibilities listed in this job description are intended to provide a general overview of the role and its expectations. While this description is comprehensive, it should not be construed as an exhaustive list of duties and tasks that may be required of the employee. The organization reserves the right to assign other tasks or responsibilities as needed, and this role's responsibilities may evolve in response to changes in the organization's goals and priorities. Flexibility and adaptability are key attributes for success in this dynamic work environment.

NEKCA is a proud equal-opportunity employer. We work diligently to recruit a broad pool of candidates and to hire and promote qualified individuals whose personal experiences, characteristics, and talents reasonably reflect the diversity of the communities served by NEKCA. Our equal employment opportunities apply to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. We encourage applications from women, minority groups, veterans, and people with disabilities. 

Qualifications for positions within NEKCA are determined by the duties and responsibilities of the position itself.

Education and Experience: 

BA (preferred)

1-2 years of relevant experience preferred

Background Checks:

Employees in this role are required to undergo a background check in accordance with NEKCA policy, which may include verifying education, employment history, criminal background and driving records.

Transportation Requirements:

This position requires that employees possess a valid driver's license, favorable driving record results and have access to dependable transportation.