Homeless Navigator

CITY EQUITY STATEMENT

The City of Westminster welcomes diverse candidates from the broadest base possible. Our goal is to find the best candidate for the job—someone who belongs, not just fits. We value life and professional experiences, recognizing equivalent combinations of knowledge skills and education.

Aligned with our city SPIRIT values, the successful candidate will have a passion and commitment to serving a diverse population of residents and must respect and uphold the principles of justice, equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.

We encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for this role, even if you believe you have a less traditional background than described we invite you to apply.

POSITION PURPOSE / IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION

The Regional Homeless Navigator position connects services to customers of all ages who are experiencing homelessness with a goal of ultimately housing clients. This position requires interaction with municipal, county, non-profit and faith-based organizations to provide resources and strategic referrals to assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

The full salary range for this position is stated above. The starting range of pay is dependent on qualifications and experience of each individual candidate. The City of Westminster has a Multilingual Stipend Program to encourage, and reward benefited employees who are conversationally fluent in languages other than English. Benefited employees have the opportunity to test their language proficiency skills and qualify for a bi-weekly stipend that will vary based on the employee’s level of proficiency and usage.

ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETENCIES AND CULTURAL VALUES/GENERAL COMPETENCIES

The City's work culture encourages passionate, positive and enthusiastic employees who, along with our City Council and City Manager, are strong supporters of our mission: The City of Westminster provides high-quality core services and fosters resilience in order to promote a safe and thriving community. Westminster is a city of beautiful, safe, well-maintained neighborhoods and destinations with a vibrant, diverse economy, rich and resilient environment and a strong sense of community belonging. Our core values are embodied in our SPIRIT (Service – People – Integrity – Respect – Innovation – Teamwork).

This position supports the goals of the Parks, Recreation and Libraries Department, which enhances the quality of life for all Westminster citizens by providing diverse leisure, recreational and informational services and resources; and acquiring, developing and maintaining first-class parks, facilities, open space and recreational trails. This position works towards the accomplishment of the department’s mission: Together we create exceptional opportunities for a vibrant community with a commitment to nature, wellness and literacy.

Every Employee Is Accountable To

• Demonstrate a high level of customer service; encourage others to focus on the customer; foster an environment where customer service is a priority
• Communicate with customers to ensure that where possible they are satisfied and that their needs are being addressed; solicit and evaluate customer feedback
• Act as an ambassador by understanding and fostering the organization's mission and vision
• Exhibit pride in self, the department, the city, and the community; conduct self in a professional manner
• Demonstrate integrity and build trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, loyalty and ethical behavior
• Address difficult or contentious issues in a constructive manner
• Support/promote change; demonstrate flexibility and takes calculated risks when appropriate
• Participate in personal growth opportunities and attend trainings designed to enhance capacity to bring new skills and ideas to the job and the organization
• Work to continuously improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the service or product being delivered
• Demonstrate support for team efforts by accepting new roles and responsibilities, and helping others achieve objectives
• Value diversity; demonstrate an awareness of differences; demonstrate sensitivity and adapt behaviors and communication to accommodate these differences
  
  

GENERAL COMPETENCIES

Citywide - Every employee in this position is accountable to:

• Establish effective interpersonal relationships through honest, open communication and follow-through on commitments
• Recognize personal strengths and weaknesses and target areas for personal self-development
• Demonstrate initiative in performing job tasks
• Exhibit problem-solving skills leading to sound judgment and quality decisions
• Achieve goals, handle assigned workload and new assignments effectively; demonstrate an ability to work independently
• Communicate effectively with individuals and groups using clear and concise verbal and written communications
• Demonstrate accountability for work and take ownership in job performance
• Demonstrate concern for the accuracy and quality of work; take steps to correct mistakes and improve the overall product
  
  

Job Specific – Every employee in this position must be able to:

• Demonstrate and utilize knowledge of housing and stabilization outcome principles, practices, and techniques
• Demonstrate exceptional organizational skills and an ability to manage numerous projects simultaneously
• Demonstrate ability to establish and maintain rapport with landlords, or potential placements, for housing conversations with involved professionals
• Demonstrate ability to maintain composure and professionalism during stressful situations
• Demonstrate ability to plan, organize, schedule and supervise varied activities within general policies and budgetary limitations
• Demonstrate ability to make decisions recognizing established procedures and practices, and to use resourcefulness and tact in addressing new situations and problems
• Demonstrate ability to establish effective working relationships with individuals and groups participating in the Homeless Navigator network, as well as associates, fellow employees, supervisors and clients and guests
• Demonstrate team spirit and a willingness to assist coworkers when necessary
• Work as part of a team as well as independently
• Maintain discretion and confidentiality
  
  

Job Specific Functions

Essential Job Functions, Duties, Responsibilities and Tasks

• Assists with homeless referral and resources support, entry and exit follow-up plan development, as well as facilitation and participation in individualized service and support teams; serves clients by following up with individuals and families to provide resources and knowledge of multiple individual and family service agencies in the region to all these activities; maintains resources and eligibility requirements for services available to individuals and families
• Facilitates, organizes, participates, and evaluates in the regional homeless navigator network programs, including hotel partnerships for sheltering, medical respite and bridge housing; organizes resource fairs and supplies for outreach
• Supports with expediting services for clients in need through research and present data collection tools; designing individual and family involvement opportunities through participation on subcommittees; and gathering qualitative and quantitative data from individuals and families regarding services
• Visits camps, parked cars, and other sites to meet people where they are as well as in-person visits in an office environment to assist with direct homeless service delivery
• Serves as a professional ambassador of the department and City by maintaining a professional image and demonstrating exceptional public speaking skills
• Maintains regular and punctual attendance
  
  

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Manages and enters data in spreadsheets, including in the Homeless Management Information System, and analyzes data using statistical software
• Researches national evidence-based practices in the areas of housing strategies
• Interprets complex data and information into distinct formats using tables, graphs, or other visual aids
• Works within the regional navigation team and other regional boards, committees, and groups
  
  

Incumbent is accountable for all duties of this job and other projects and responsibilities may be added at the City’s discretion.

Position Requirements/Working Conditions/Pre-employment Requirements

Education, Experience, Skills, Formal Training, Licenses and Certifications

Required

• Graduation from an accredited four (4)-year college with major course work in social work, human services, or a closely related field
• A minimum of three (3) years of non-profit or related experience
• Experience in a social services setting with working knowledge of housing resources, subsidy programs, and the Continuum of Care for homeless persons
• Trained in trauma-informed care
• A valid driver’s license and safe driving record throughout employment
  
  

Preferred:

• Experience working with homeless individuals and families is strongly preferred
• Bi-lingual preferred
  
  

Any equivalent combination of education, training and experience - including lived experience of homelessness, housing instability or poverty - which would provide the required knowledge and skills, may be considered.

Physical Requirements

Work requires sufficient physical stamina and strength:

• Frequent walking on all types of surfaces; including uneven terrain
• Frequently sitting to perform daily tasks; occasional walking through a multilevel facility to retrieve information; frequent standing, sometimes for extended periods
• Frequent squatting, reaching above shoulder, and twisting to file documents and lift supplies and material; occasional bending, kneeling, climbing, balancing, and reaching below shoulder to store documents, material, and supplies
• Constant light grasp, fine manipulation, and handling to perform daily duties; occasional firm grasp to safely use equipment
• Frequent lifting, carrying, and pushing/pulling of up to ten (10) pounds to move material and supplies; occasional lifting and pushing/pulling of up to 30 pounds with dollies and carts
  
  

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is occasionally performed outdoors, including during inclement weather. Work includes driving and walking outdoors as well as sitting or standing in an office environment on a regular basis. The position requires a great deal of communication with City employees, outside agencies, and the public, including people experiencing homelessness.

Pre-employment Requirements

• Background checks will include employment references and criminal history and when applicable, credit check, driver’s license record, education verification
• Pre-employment drug screen
• Must be legally entitled to work in the United States
  
  

The City of Westminster, Colorado, is a drug free workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity and aims to have its workforce reflect the community.

The City of Westminster offers a comprehensive benefit package including:

• Health and Dental
• Flexible Spending
• Pension/Retirement Plans
• Term Life Insurance
• Long-term Disability
• Survivor Benefits
• Wellness Program
• Career Development Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Leave program that provides for vacation, holidays, sick leave, major illness, and on the job injury
  
  

For a more detailed overview of our General Non Exempt employee benefit package:

Benefit Package

The City of Westminster does not participate in the Social Security system. In lieu of Social Security contributions, the city contributes to a 401(a) defined contribution plan on your behalf.

401(a) Contribution Rates

Employee Mandatory Contribution: 11.5% of your base pay. Contributions are pre-tax and fully vested.

Employer Contribution: 12% of your base pay.

Employer Contribution Vesting Schedule

• Less than 3 years - 0%
• 3 to 4 years - 60%
• 4 to 5 years - 80%
• Over 5 years - 100%
• For employees age 55 and older, the employer contributions are 100% vested
  
  

The City of Westminster provides employees with innovative and practical ways to improve their commute through two key features, EcoPass and Commute Benefits powered by Commutrics. EcoPass provides unlimited trips on RTD's core transit services and Commute Rewards allows you to record your trips and get rewards based on your commute mode.

01

What is your highest level of education?

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• PhD
• None of the above
  
  

02

If you have a college degree, please state what field the degree is in. If you do not have a college degree, please respond with N/A.

03

How many years of related experience to providing housing and homeless navigation services to clients do you have? Please describe your experience. If you have none, please respond with N/A.

04

Have you personally experienced homelessness, or living in poverty?

• Yes
• No
  
  

05

If you answered yes to having personally experienced homelessness, or living in poverty, please indicate which one and for how long. If you answered no, please respond with N/A.

06

Please indicate which of the following that you have working experience or training in supporting (check all that apply):

• People experiencing homelessness
• Living in poverty
• Trauma-informed care
• None
  
  

07

If you indicated that you have working experience or training in supporting people experiencing homelessness, living in poverty or trauma-informed care, please indicate how long you supported these situations. If you have no experience, please respond with N/A.

08

Have you worked for non-profit service providers and/or government agencies serving the homeless population in the Denver metro area?

• Yes
• No
  
  

09

Have you read the physical requirements and working conditions section of the job description and are you able to perform the essential functions of this position in these conditions?

• Yes
• No
  
  

10

Do you have a current valid driver's license and safe driving record?

• Yes
• No
  
  

11

Have seven (7) or more points been assessed against your driving record in the last three (3) years?

• Yes
• No
• Required Question