East Oakland Community Project

JOB DESCRIPTION

Title: Realignment Housing Specialist

Department: Rapid Rehousing

Reports to: Realignment Lead Case Manager

FLSA: Non-exempt

Salary: 55K – 60K

SUMMARY

The Realignment Housing Specialist functions as part of a dynamic team engaged in providing supportive services to individuals and their families who are on probation and recently released from incarceration. This position acts as an advocate and assists with finding permanent, affordable housing and employment and is also a point of contact with probation officers regarding these clients. The Realignment Housing Specialist is responsible for assessing client housing needs, providing support in researching low-income and other housing resources, assisting in coordinating a search for permanent housing, and maintaining relationships with housing property managers, owners and organizations to facilitate placement of homeless singles in stable housing situations and mediate between landlords and tenants if needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

General Operations

• Attend and participate in all required staff meetings, weekly supervision meetings and in-service trainings and off-site meetings and trainings
• Write progress reports and maintain statistics on client activities
• Coordinate with staff to share housing information, referral and other relevant resources

Client Support

• Maintain confidentiality in all matters pertaining to clients
• Conduct immediate housing needs assessment on pre-release referrals
• Conduct housing needs assessments on post-released enrolled PRCS clients
• Set up and maintain client case files and progress notes
• Access client credit reports and assess potential barriers
• Conduct reassessment on clients after 30 to 90 days, depending on the need
• Use Motivational Interviewing techniques and other problem-solving skills to assess client housing issues and needs
• Assist clients with budgeting plans
• Escort clients to various housing appointments, as needed
• Provide support to clients in filling out housing application and other relevant materials

• Assist clients in contacting and negotiating with potential landlords
• Inspect apartment or other permanent housing alternatives with clients prior to signing a lease to determine habitability and fairness of the lease requirements
• Identify/provide monetary and non-monetary support including furniture, appliances and start-up household items for PRCS clients moving into permanent housing
• Provide in-home services to client to ensure they remain in a stable housing situation
• Perform other duties, as assigned

Programmatic Activities

• Coordinate housing information and services with Crossroads Case Managers to ensure a comprehensive approach to client needs
• Set-up and maintain well-organized housing files including information on housing providers, application materials, repair request and requisition forms, etc.
• Compile and maintain program/housing resource files and/or a database containing current listings of market-rate and subsidized permanent housing resources in Alameda and surrounding Bay Area counties as well as out-of-area housing options
• Work closely with EOCP's Lead Outreach/Housing Specialist to ensure landlord information is tracked in organizational database

Community Outreach

• Establish working relationships with local landlord/real estate associations to access market rate housing resources
• Conduct outreach to local public housing authorities and other subsidized housing entities in the Bay Area to maintain up-to-date information on vacancies and application requirements
• Develop contacts with local church groups and other non-profit organizations who offer alternative affordable housing options in the local real estate market as well as employment options
• Establish relationships with other housing advocates in the Bay Area

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• A.A. or B.A. preferred or relevant work experience with target population.
• At least three to four years' experience working as an outreach worker or housing advocate with high risk, low income people
• Experience working with individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds
• Knowledge of local market rate and subsidized housing resources in the Bay Area and other areas in California and adjacent states
• Basic counseling and interviewing techniques. Motivational Interviewing preferred.

• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Demonstrated ability to maintain organized files
• Ability to produce well-written reports, memos and other correspondence in a timely fashion
• Ability to work effectively with a team of other professionals and coordinate services/activities with each member, as needed
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to speak clear, concise English

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

• Strong basic math skills required at least at the high school level
• Must be able to perform mathematical calculations with a high degree of accuracy

REASONING ABILITY

• Must be able to exercise good judgment while addressing those obstacles or barriers that prevent homeless singles from clarifying their housing goals
• Must exhibit good critical thinking skills to be used to solve problems

COMPUTER SKILLS

• Ability to use Microsoft Office Suite to perform key job duties is required

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Must have current CPR and Basic First Aid certificates
• Valid California driver's license, insurance and access to an automobile. Proof of insurance and auto registration required

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to dress neatly with a professional appearance when reporting to work
• This position requires an annual tuberculosis test
• Must be able to work under stressful conditions

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The position requires an ability to work in a diverse and stressful environment with individuals and families that have multiple issues. Work schedules are flexible according to facility and clients' needs. Punctuality and good attendance are required to be successful in this work environment. The Realignment Housing Specialist must be willing to travel through-out the Bay Area.

Salary : $55,000 - $60,000