Founded in 1996 as Queens Law Associates, Queens Defenders (QD) is a public defender organization in Queens, New York serving the most ethnically diverse county in the United States.

QD provides defense to people in the criminal, family and immigration systems and believes that all individuals have the constitutional right to legal representation if they are charged with a crime and cannot afford an attorney.

In addition to legal defense, Queens Defenders also provides immigration and social work services in order to improve the well-being of our clients and their families.

Job Description

Queens Defenders is seeking a full time Housing Navigator in our Far Rockaway & Jamaica, Queens locations.

The Housing navigator will be responsible for providing assistance and support to homeless individuals and domestic violence survivors by providing housing focused case management and accessing housing assistance programs.

* This is a grant funded position contingent upon continued funding.*

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Develop a housing, financial, and self-sufficiency case management plan with clients which includes completing intake interviews to determine client’s needs, goals, and eligibility and assist in locating and securing housing of their choice.
• Establish a rapport with property managers/owners, realtors and establish new relationships with those interested in providing housing for people experiencing homelessness.
• Create and maintain consistent communication channels, both verbal and written, between several parties (i.e. tenant, landlord, supervisors, and collaborating agencies).
• Meet all assigned goals with respect to number of rental property contacts, number of new rental property owners/managers engaged, number of people served, and number of people moving into permanent housing.
• Utilization of the HPD portal - following privacy and policy rules set for grant compliance
• Outreach with referral agencies that enhances successful housing projects & outcomes when applicable
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

Qualifications/Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree or High school diploma/GED
• 2 years of related professional experience working with DHS and city vouchers(required)
• Must have transportation to commute to Far Rockaway, Jamaica or Kew Gardens location assigned
• Experience working with landlords, property managers or households experiencing homelessness strongly preferred
• Sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of population served
• Excellent communication skills, particularly listening, mediation, and writing skills.
• Proven ability to work well with others, including community leaders, a diverse collection of team members, and people experiencing extreme poverty
• Excellent interpersonal skills, good judgment, and an ability to work both independently and in a highly collaborative and diverse environment

QD is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a culturally diverse staff and fostering an inclusive working environment. We seek to hire staff that reflect the full range of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic identities of the communities we represent so that we better serve our clients, understand their diverse circumstances, and meet their needs. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• Housing Vouchers: 2 years (Required)

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)

Willingness to travel:

• 50% (Required)

Work Location: One location