Location
Fairfield, CA | United States
Job description
Description
Position Title:Housing Locator
Program/Dept:Coordinated Entry
Reports to:Program Director
Classification:Regular, Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Compensation:$27.30/HR + Full Benefits Package
Position Summary: The Housing Locator works as part of the Coordinated Entry team, under the direct supervision of the Program Director. The Housing Locator supports the program team and works in collaboration and coordination with various jurisdictional and nonprofit outreach teams, landlords, and property managers to identify housing opportunities for individuals experiencing homelessness. Coordinated Entry provides a standardized approach to the comprehensive assessment of the housing and service needs of homeless individuals and families and referral of such persons to appropriate available resources that are needed to end their homelessness. Homeless individuals and families as well as highly vulnerable individuals and families who are homeless are its principal users.
About Us: Founded in San Mateo, California, in 1964, Caminar’s thriving programs and services serve more than 14,000 individuals annually across San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Francisco, Solano, and Butte Counties. Our nonprofit organization’s portfolio of behavioral health and supportive services empowers and supports individuals and families to move toward resilience, wellness, and independence. And, we are expanding our capacity to address the increasingly complex needs of individuals and families.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
- Actively nurture and advance the cooperative, harmonious and teamwork oriented environment Caminar strives to promote within the workplace; Through daily efforts and presentation promote an atmosphere of dignity and respect in line with the organization’s mission, philosophy, policies and procedures.
- Adaptability—adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands and is able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events.
- Attend and complete trainings as assigned and in a timely manner.
- BA/BS in a social work related field. Absent BA/BS, a minimum two-years of verifiable program experience in the provision of direct services to homeless individuals is required. High school diploma or GED required.
- Building long-lasting relationships with property managers, landlords, owners, and firms to expand the scope of their participation in programs that house those experiencing homelessness.
- Cognitive: Frequently required to concentrate on moderate detail with constant interruption. Must be able to attend to a task/function for 20-45 minutes at a time. Frequently required to understand and relate to specific ideas, several at a time. Must be able to remember multiple tasks/assignments given to self and others over a period of several days.
- Complete and submit accurate time sheets and absence reports to Program Director in a timely manner.
- Conducting regular visits to landlords participating in the program in order to proactively identify any emerging areas of concern and strengthen the relationship.
- Customer Service—manages difficult customer situations, responds promptly to customer needs and solicits customer feedback to improve service.
- Demonstrated experience in a program serving homeless individuals strongly preferred.
- Dependability—is consistently at work and on time, follows instructions, responds to management direction and solicits feedback to improve performance.
- Develop a Landlord Appreciation process to honor landlords that have leased to homeless or formerly homeless tenants.
- Develop sample forms, templates, and trainings for providers to use, including: sample client reference letters for landlords, landlord-facing sample program information marketing, sample landlord-tenant- case manager communication plan/agreement, a tenant education program, etc.).
- Developing and managing a comprehensive outreach program and developing workings relationship with community stakeholders, especially landlords and property managers.
- Drive own or agency vehicle to destinations, as required; documenting and reporting mileage according to agency procedures, so that services can be provided in a timely manner; comply with agency vehicle policy at all times.
- Environmental Conditions: Frequent exposure to varied office and mixed (residential/office) environments. Occasional exposure to toxins and poisonous substances, dust, and loud noises.
- Equipment: Frequently required to use a computer, phone, and fax machine.
- A personal cell phone with reliable service and, if applicable, a data plan to use for business purposes.
- Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality, a professional demeanor and to represent the organization in a positive manner at all times.
- Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment including email and Internet navigation required. Experience with Homeless Management Information Systems strongly preferred. Experience with web based time and attendance and staff training and development system strongly preferred.
Experience, Qualifications, Skills & Abilities:
- Implementing a landlord recruitment and retention plan. Recruiting landlord, management firm, and leaseholder participation and/or growth of participation in Continuum of Care and Resource Connect Solano housing programs, which may include Permanent Supportive Housing, Rapid Rehousing, Section 8, TBRA, HUD/VASH, and other subsidy programs.
- Knowledge in local communities and resources.
- Lead a subcommittee to work on systemic landlord engagement strategies (including strategies to reduce barriers to housing: obtaining documents, removing evictions, expunging convictions, payments of arrears, etc.).
- Maintaining a database of landlords and management firms willing to work with community members who have experienced homelessness.
- Maintaining awareness of changes in the market and of community processes that may impact services. Develop and present recommendations to address expected changes.
- May be required to obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR certification.
- Meeting with owners, landlords, and property managers to discuss Resource Connect Solano and opportunities to participate, such as rental assistance, placement programs, and support services.
- Must be a dynamic self-starter with demonstrated ability to work independently on special projects.
- Must be able to meet and receive a criminal records clearance, as required by Title XXII, other licensing regulations, and Caminar practices.
- Must be able to pass post offer, pre-employment medical and drug tests as required under State Community Care Licensing regulations and/or agency policies.
- Must be passionate about Caminar's mission.
- Must demonstrate acceptable level of maturity, good judgment, and emotional stability.
- Negotiating with landlords experiencing conflicts with tenants who have been placed through Coordinated Entry, in order to develop solutions to experienced problems. Coordination with outside mediation services as needed for more serious conflicts to help avoid eviction.
- Notify Resource Connect Solano team members of new units of housing as they become available.
- Oral and written communication—speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, demonstrates group presentation skills and conducts meetings. Completes written progress notes and other formal communications skillfully and professionally.
- Organize annual trainings for homeless service providers (mandated for all CoC, ESG and state-funded housing providers) on: Fair Housing training (this should include information on Detecting and Preventing Discrimination, compliance with the Fair Housing Act, how to file a local grievance or HUD directly) and Tenants Rights (this should include information on any relevant moratoriums on evictions, late fees, and penalties related to nonpayment of rent).
- Participate in promoting a safe, healthy and clean working environment at all times consistent with applicable laws, industry standards and the agency’s own Health & Safety Program.
- Participate in staff meetings and attend other meetings, as assigned.
- Perform all job functions in cooperation with the supervisor, other staff, and other providers involved in the service effort, including sharing information regarding all important interventions.
- Perform other related duties, responsibilities and special projects as assigned.
- Performing initial site visits at all prospective sites to ensure they meet guidelines for habitability standards.
Physical, Environmental and Mental Requirements:
- Physical: Occasionally required to push/pull objects up to 50 lbs, and to lift/carry objects up to 25 lbs. Frequently required to perform moderately difficult manipulative tasks such as typing, writing, etc. Must be able to walk, stand, sit for extended periods.
- Planning/organizing—prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently and develops realistic action plans.
- Prior experience working with landlords, property managers, property owners, and/or housing developers.
- Problem solving—identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
- Quality management—looks for ways to improve and promote quality and demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
- Safety and security—actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures, and uses equipment and materials properly.
- Sensory: Frequently required to read documents, written reports, and plans. Must be able to distinguish normal sounds with some background noise, as in answering the phone, interacting with residents and staff, etc. Must be able to speak clearly and understand/be understood using the English language.
Special Requirements:
- This position requires frequent driving. A valid California driver license, reliable personal vehicle, current personal auto insurance as required by law, and an MVR sufficient to obtain and reasonably maintain insurability under agency auto liability policies are all essential job requirements.
- Tracking all placements with landlords in HMIS.
- Work with the Program Director to manage and administer the Landlord Incentive Pilots.
Caminar is a leader in providing innovative client-oriented mental health services.We are an equal opportunity employer.Please visit our web site at www.caminar.org
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