Housing Specialist I-Homeless Services

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Job description

MISSION STATEMENT: The mission of St. Vincent de Paul CARES is to alleviate pain and suffering, in a spirit of justice and charity, through person-to-person involvement.

SUMMARY: The Housing Specialist I shall provide direct services to enable eligible clients to locate affordable, safe and sanitary housing. The Housing Specialist will network with property owners, managers of housing units, and maintain a list of landlords that can readily assist our veterans.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job-related duties as required. Nothing in this job description restricts management's rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at this time).

• Responsible for identifying and engaging landlords through a variety of methods in order to develop sufficient affordable housing stock for Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) program

• Assists eligible families in locating and renting suitable housing; computing and preparing financing arrangements and monitoring owner/tenant compliance with standards

• Maintain linkage between Agency, landlord and client

• Develop and maintain (i.e., update) a database/listing of available housing stock for clients

• Responsible for coordinating and/or performing Housing Inspections

• Makes referrals to agencies and departments for the resolution of applicant housing issues

• Investigates tenant and owner complaints and conducts follow-up visits

• Makes appropriate referrals for assistance when client's needs cannot be met

• Maintains required client, legal and administrative record and statistical data as required by St. Vincent de Paul CARES and program funders including use of HMIS

• Responsible for collecting all necessary documentation for client files

• Networks and collaborates with other agencies and represents the agency at community functions, which may include public speaking and presentations as directed by Program Manager

• All other duties as assigned

• Demonstrates a commitment to serve all people with respect and compassion

• Works in a spirit of cooperation with all external and internal stakeholders

• Will make a Commitment to Serve all people with Respect, Compassion, and Cooperation

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Comply with all applicable training requirements

• Comply with all company safety, personnel and operational policies and procedures

• Comply with work schedule to ensure effective operations of Agency programs

• Contributes positively as a member of a productive and cooperative team

• Performs other duties as necessary to fulfill the St. Vincent de Paul CARES Mission.

Requirements

ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: (To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.)

• Knowledge of Business English, spelling and punctuation

• Knowledge of office practices and procedures

• Knowledge of general math pertaining to percentages, allocations and discounts

• Computer skills using current software

• Strong oral and written communications

• Sensitivity to the cultural diversity of clients in order to successfully work with diverse racial, ethnic, and economic groups

• Ability to work as a team member and establish effective working relationships with staff, supervisor and outside organizations

• Commitment to empowering others to solve their own problems

• Demonstrate a commitment to serve all people with respect and compassion

• Valuing a nurturing family as the ideal environment for a person

• A conviction about the capacity of people to grow and change

• The ability to establish a respectful relationship with persons served to help them, gain skills and confidence

• Ability to work collaboratively with other personnel and/or service providers or professionals

• The capacity to maintain a helping role and to intervene appropriately to meet service goals

• Ability to work under deadlines, multi-task and set appropriate limits

• Respects diversity of all clients, staff, and volunteers

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: (Pending on position and if prior to hire is approved by Chief Executive Officer, a comparable amount of training, education or experience may be substituted for the minimum education qualifications).

• This position requires a minimum a bachelor's degree in social work or related field

• Minimum 2-years' experience serving homeless or at-risk families and/or individuals in crisis