Housing Navigator at Blaine Center
Job Description
ABOUT THE POSITION: The Housing Navigator, at Blaine Center, is a type of Case Manager at Compass that will maintain a caseload of homeless participants, many of whom will have multiple barriers (i.e. serious mental illness, substance use disorders, chronic health conditions, frequent contact with law enforcement, etc.). The Housing Navigator will engage and develop relationships with participants, and provide support services so that secure, stable, and permeant housing may be achieved. This is a unionized position, represented by Local 8 of the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU).ABOUT THE PROGRAM: Blaine Center Men’s Shelters provide a safe, warm place to sleep for 60 homeless men. Guests are served dinner and breakfast, and have access to case management and support services. Blaine Center is a 24-hour shelter and day facility that provides guests access to housing-focused program services. Access to is by in person referral only, from partner organizations and our Client Services Office in Pioneer Square.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: Compass Housing Alliance develops and provides essential services and affordable housing for homeless and low-income people in the greater Puget Sound region. We envision a world in which every person lives in a safe and caring community. To learn more about the agency visit https://ift.tt/1oNREFi .
LOCATION: Blaine Center near Seattle Center
REPORTS TO: Program Manager
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt
SCHEDULE: Sunday & Tuesday 12-8pm, Monday & Saturday 8am-4pm, Friday 2-10pm with staff meetings every other Tuesday 4-6pm
SALARY RANGE: $17.73-18.22 per hour(higher for certain master's degrees)
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time. The employee in this position must be able to read, write, and understand English.
Engagement & Assessment
- Provide trauma-informed case management utilizing motivational interviewing and strength-based techniques to assigned clients.
- Write clear, objective, and accurate client file case notes of significant interactions, including stability plans, and all other required forms and paperwork including logs, records, reports, and statistics, as requested.
- Identify barriers and steps necessary to overcome obstacles.
- Assess participant housing histories, barriers and resource/support needs (e.g. food, health, transportation, etc.) and opportunities (e.g. family, friends).
- Per program policy, complete intake assessment, housing stability plan, VI-SPDAT and orientation to program.
- Assess eligibility for permanent housing resources – deposit/move-in financial assistance, rapid rehousing, affordable housing and permanent supportive housing.
- Identify need for interim or bridge housing, link as requested and available.
- Establish goals and objectives; monitor achievements through regular meetings.
- Provide information, referrals, and direct advocacy as needed, utilizing internal and external resources.
- Link participants with services intended to address significant barriers to housing stability – e.g. mental health services, chemical dependency services, primary health services, employment and/or educational supports.
- In a collaborative manner, coordinate with internal and external agency representatives to ensure clients are resourced according to their needs.
- Build and maintain positive relationships with a network of community providers and services to address and advocate for client needs.
- Work with supervisor to devise and implement corrective action plans for clients failing to meet goals.
- Mediate conflicts, provide de-escalation and crisis intervention, model appropriate problem solving; and refer to appropriate services as needed.
- Where necessary, provide milieu management as well as support to the program team in daily operations of the facility.
- In coordination with Program Manager/Coordinator, develop and facilitate life skills trainings and other relevant workshops.
- Develop relationships with landlords and property managers, assisting in breaking down barriers to create pathways to housing.
- Utilize available landlord information and referral resources to identify and access private market housing that will accept housing subsidies or that provide below-market rents; establish and develop additional private market landlord resources to supplement these other sources.
- Help participants to tour neighborhoods and properties; provide and discuss options as part of selection decision.
- Assist participants with obtaining the resources necessary to apply for and move in to housing (e.g. application fees, security deposit, first month rent, furnishings, etc.).
- Help participants to complete and submit required housing applications and other materials; help participants to prepare for housing interviews or other housing application meetings.
- Assist participants with move-in to new housing, and with transitioning supports to other provider or other community resources.
- Maintain a favorable working relationship with all other company employees to foster and promote a cooperative and harmonious working climate.
- Project a favorable image of the organization to promote its aims and objectives, and foster and enhance public recognition and acceptance of all its areas of endeavor.
- Perform all duties and responsibilities in a timely and effective manner in accordance with established company policies to achieve the overall objectives of this position.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Working knowledge of the following evidence-based practices: harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and strengths-based case management.
- Demonstrated knowledge of local resources and services for individuals who are homeless or low-income.
- Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in de-escalation, crisis intervention and stabilization skills.
- Promotes a team environment that values, encourages, and supports differences.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team particularly to be able to exercise sound decision making in the absence of supervision, with strong collaboration skills.
- Ability to set and maintain boundaries in a professional manner.
- Strong time management, organizational skills, and follow through.
- Ability to follow agency policy and procedures to maintain safety and security within the facility.
- Ability to enter data accurately; create log entries and case notes; prepare written reports and generate statistical reports.
- Sensitive to, and able to communicate and work effectively with individuals from diverse economic circumstances, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, physical and mental abilities, and sexual orientation.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills with ability to communicate effectively about technical problems and solutions. Strong problem solving, time and project management skills are required to be successful in this role.
- Ability and aptitude with technology necessary for successful day-to-day functioning in business environment including various databases, Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Outlook, etc., and Internet technology.
- Valid WA driver’s license, proof of insurance, and a driving record that meets Compass standards, required.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
- A Bachelor’s degree is strongly desired, Master’s degree preferred in social work or a related field. Or relevant work experience, certificate and/or equivalent continuing professional development or education.
- A minimum of 1-year experience in case management experience, desired.
- 2+ years’ experience working in a human services setting related to housing and homelessness, desired.
- Demonstrated familiarity with issues of homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse, sexual assault, and/or domestic violence, required.
- Experience building supportive and respectful relationships with individuals who have experienced homelessness, and who live with mental illness and/or addiction.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.
- The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, type, and reach with hands and arms; and requires the ability to occasionally push, pull, lift, and/or carry supplies up to 20 pounds.
- Work takes place in a social services environment where long periods of sitting, working on a computer, walking to various work areas, going up and down stairs, and standing are required.
- Travel to program sites and meetings outside the office and around the county are necessary.
In compliance with the ADA Amendment Act, should you have a disability that requires assistance and/or reasonable accommodation with the job application process, please contact the Human Resources department via phone at 206-474-1100 or via e-mail at HRInfo@compasshousingalliance.org .
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is normal. Compass programs are housed within a human services environment in the Greater Seattle area. Our diverse tenant community includes many single, formerly homeless adults who lack any family support system. Compounding the constraints of poverty, our client community includes the physically and mentally disabled, persons living with AIDS, those who struggle with chemical dependencies, veterans, and vulnerable, elderly adults. Working at Compass will mean that you will be in close proximity to the people we serve. This position is not eligible for remote work, it requires onsite work only.
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