Housing Navigator

Organization Summary: Established in 1993, Operation Dignity (OD) is a nonprofit organization that conducts outreach and operates emergency, transitional, and permanent housing programs throughout Alameda County. Our mission is to create pathways to health and housing for the most vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness in our community, with a special focus on Veterans and people living in encampments. Among our core values are meeting people where they are while cultivating a strong peer community, inclusive of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and disability.

Position Summary: Operation Dignity Housing Navigators provide comprehensive case management services for residents at Dignity Village. Housing Navigators use a strength-based approach, valuing clients’ skills, resilience, and capacities to take charge of their lives. Housing Navigators support each resident to achieve their goals, including stable housing options, substance abuse recovery, mental health improvements, and self-sufficiency.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Case Management and Service Coordination

· Develop a trusting and consistent relationship with each resident that supports them to envision positive change, receive needed support, and achieve their goals.

· Maintain a respectful, caring, strength-based, and empowering relationship with all clients while adhering to the organization’s Fraternization Policy.

· Conduct a thorough psychosocial assessment to identify the client’s unique story, risk factors to address, and strengths/resiliency factors to build upon for a successful program outcome.

· Engage clients to develop a self-sufficiency case plan, identifying the action steps to achieve their goals. Utilize motivational interviewing techniques to explore participants’ substance dependency, encourage reduction, and/or provide support to clients moving towards abstinence.

· Provide case management counseling on a weekly basis to support clients to achieve their self-sufficiency goals.

· Facilitate case management sessions and offer life skills training and education programs. Support clients in household management skills.

· Support and prepare clients to gain the skills and self-determination needed to successfully move to permanent housing or other suitable living environments.

· Coordinate services with community-based partners to ensure clients have maximum access to community resources and receive comprehensive services, including: mental health, legal assistance, entitlement benefits, health care, substance abuse treatment, job training, and housing assistance.

· Monitor client progress towards meeting their life goals and permanent housing search. Inform supervisor of gaps in services and assist in developing resources and/or referrals for residents to meet their goals. Identify and collaborate with support people and family members in participant’s life.

· Intervene in crisis situations to help de-escalate clients, promote positive solutions and re-establish stability in the community environment.

· Inform supervisors of crisis matters in a timely manner.

· Provide early intervention, intensive support, and mediation to foster a successful stay.

· Initiate a case conference and advocate on behalf of clients to prevent discharge due to non-compliance with program guidelines.

· Perform other related duties, as assigned.

2. Housing Navigation

· Assist clients in completing housing applications, including obtaining all documents necessary for a successful application.

· Support clients moving into new housing should applications be accepted.

· Coordinate field trips to housing fairs, housing appointments, and other related trips.

· Conduct ongoing assessment of client needs, strengths, and resources in order to create a housing stability plan and provide appropriate services. Ensure clients have an active voice in their goal/service plan.

· Address the change of “home” and familiar location with tenants; the potential for isolation, how to pay bills, manage visitors and relationships, etc.

· Recruit landlords to accept subsidized housing clients, work closely with the housing authority to secure leases, and maintain ongoing relationships with landlords to support client housing stability.

· Perform other related duties, as assigned.

3. Communications and Record-Keeping

· Maintain thorough, accurate, and up-to-date files, including progress notes, case plans, and other pertinent documentation regarding services for each client.

· Input case notes and supportive services provided for each client in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).

· Conduct a Coordinated Entry System (CES) Assessment on all clients and engage in case conferences to connect them to CES resources.

· Maintain professional relationships/boundaries with clients, while maintaining a strict level of confidentiality. Discuss clients only to support their goals in a private setting.

· Work closely with site management staff to provide a safe, welcoming, and community-building space that fosters resident growth.

· Participate in weekly staff meetings to discuss client progress and recommend community resources on behalf of each client.

· Follow-up on incident reports in a timely manner until a satisfactory resolution is attained.

· Engage in respectful communications with City staff and community partners.

· Perform other related duties, as assigned.

4. Staff Development and Organizational Culture

· Receive regular supervision sessions to enhance skills and safeguard personal health and wellness.

· Participate in strategic planning, trainings, and team-building sessions, as requested.

· Help create a positive, productive, and supportive team and work environment.

· Perform other related duties, as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

· Must have education and/or experience demonstrating knowledge of case management principles and required responsibilities.

· Must have at least two years of relevant experience providing direct services to individuals who have been homeless, disabled, or economically marginalized.

· Cultural competency, with the ability to maintain effective professional relationships with culturally and racially diverse staff and clients.

· Must be able to problem-solve a variety of complex issues, and always maintain a high level of professionalism while doing so.

· Strong verbal, written, and communication skills.

· Strong ability to record client progress and fulfill documentation requirements.

· Able to bring compassion, patience, tenacity, and dedication to the homeless and resident community.

· Self-starter and self-motivated, able to take initiative on behalf of clients.

· Team player, able to contribute to positive and harmonious relationships with other staff.

· Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and manage personal boundaries in a social service environment.

· California Driver’s License with clean driving record, able to drive company vehicle/truck.

· Be able to sit and look at a computer screen for several consecutive hours.

Physical Demands:

· Ability to lift, carry, push, and/or pull objects weighing up to 50 pounds.  

· Ability to frequently go up and down stairs.  

· Ability to stand, walk, and sit for extended periods as required to perform essential job functions.  

Operation Dignity is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential to our mission. Operation Dignity does not discriminate based on sex, race, color, creed, national origin, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and individuals with lived experience are encouraged to apply.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $30.00 - $32.50 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• We appreciate your interest in joining our team! Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we’re only able to contact candidates whose qualifications best match the requirements of the position. If you meet the qualifications, we will be in touch to discuss next steps. Thank you for your understanding.
• Employment Relationship Disclosure

To help ensure appropriate reporting relationships, please disclose if you have a relative, household member, or close personal relationship with anyone currently employed by the organization.

If yes, please provide the employee’s name and department: __________

• To be considered, please submit a cover letter that specifically addresses how your experience relates to this position.

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Alameda, CA 94501: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $30 - $33