Location: Portland,OR, USA
Title: Housing Navigator
Location: 1310 SW 17th St. Portland, OR 97201
Schedule: Monday through Friday approx. 8:00AM - 4:30PM.
Wage Range: $24.00 - $31.00, non-exempt
If you are a motivated and dedicated Housing Navigator looking for an opportunity to contribute to an organization making a positive impact, we want to hear from you!
At NARA NW, you'll find a supportive and inclusive work environment where every member of our team is valued and respected. Whether you're passionate about healthcare, behavioral health, education, or social services, there's a place for you to make a positive impact.
Company Mission:
The mission of NARA NW is to provide education, physical, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment that is culturally appropriate to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and anyone in need.
About the Company:
At NARA NW, we provide essential services and support to Native American and Alaska Native people, empowering them to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. As an organization rooted in cultural heritage and community values, we offer a unique and rewarding opportunity to make a direct positive impact in the lives of others.
We have over 400 employees in a wide range of programs and services, including medical and dental care, addiction treatment, housing assistance, and cultural enrichment programs, there are endless opportunities to grow and thrive in your career while making a difference in the lives of others.
Position Overview:
The Housing Navigator works within a Permanent Supportive Housing team that focuses on providing culturally specific housing placement and retention services to Native American and Alaska Native individuals and families who are experiencing unsheltered houselessness at the time of program entry. The position works independently and collaboratively with the NARA NW homeless outreach team, PSH Housing Specialists and Peer Support Specialists. Job duties focus on identifying potential housing placements throughout Multnomah County, engaging property owners and property managers and facilitating housing placements for participants who will receive a long-term rent assistance subsidy. The landlord engagement specialist will connect other staff and program participants to potential housing placements, facilitate the application and lease-up processes in coordination with other team members, and will be a point of contact for property managers should any concerns arise. Some additional housing navigation services and short-term stabilization services may be required.
What you will do:
* Identify and reach out to potential landlords and property management companies in efforts to establish rapport and build relationships.
* Establish and maintain a strong network of partnerships with property owners and managers to increase access to rental housing units for housing program participants. Create a list of contact information for landlords and property management companies willing to establish partnership and work with NARA NW and a system of notification when rental units are available.
* Create mutually beneficial opportunities and trusting relationships with local landlords and property managers, understanding their perspective, wants and needs, the significance of the role they play in supporting participants, and how they will benefit from guaranteed rent, collaboration with providers of PSH, and other available incentives.
* Develops and utilizes marketing packets, tracking systems, and other forms of documentation necessary to carry out the day-to-day operations of the program and the purpose of tracking program outcomes.
* Cultivate positive working relationships with providers of Permanent Supportive Housing services.
* Be responsive to property managers as concerns arise to support housing participants in successfully stabilizing their housing and preventing eviction. Follow up with housing support staff and property managers to determine outcome of any needed interventions.
* Work in close coordination with other providers/ support systems to address the needs of clients. Includes initiating clinical consults, assuring coordination of treatment planning and ongoing support services.
* Consistently use strong professional judgment while working with landlords and property management companies, as well as with program participants, including taking appropriate safety precautions while working in the community.
* Facilitates introductory meetings between landlord partners, PSH service staff, and those who seek housing.
* Facilitates tours of properties, available rental units, and opportunities for participants to apply for housing.
* Supports in lease signings and move in processes, as appropriate, as needed, or as requested by the landlord partner and/or provider of PSH.
* Checks in regularly with landlord partners and providers of PSH to ensure the satisfaction of each, obtain feedback, and identify areas for improvement.
* Serves as mediator between landlord partners and providers of PSH when conflicts arise and to help remedy these situations.
* Attends all meetings as required
* Documents all landlord outreach and engagement efforts.
* Assist housing program staff with HUD inspection checklist to confirm the unit is ready to move in and pass an inspection.
* Meet regularly with HUD Program Manager for supervision and seek supervision, as needed.
* Serves as the point person for coordinating landlord documentation (w9, move in accounting, vendor information form, etc).
* Actively participate in multi-disciplinary team meetings and consultations.
* Collect information on client demographics and program outcome activities as needed
* Track outcomes and generate a program updates and reports as needed or requested.
* Attend and provide relevant training as assigned.
* Participate in and/or provide educational opportunities that promote an understanding and acceptance of culturally relevant health services for the Native American and Alaskan Native community and for service providers.
* Provide supportive services in a culturally responsive, trauma-informed and nonjudgmental manner. Demonstrate a person-centered approach in working with clients by respecting their self-determination and autonomy.
Qualifications
We would like to hear from people that have:
* Bachelor's degree in social-service related field, QMHA, CADC or equivalent highly desirable. QMHA credentialing required within six months of hire.
* Professional experience working with landlords and property management companies.
* Experience with community outreach and partnerships.
* Knowledge of housing resources and programs.
* Strong written and verbal communication skills.
* Strong time management skills.
* Knowledge and skill in working in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment.
* Experience working within the Native American/Alaska Native community is considered a plus.
* Ability to engage and interact positively with individuals and families to promote strengths and improve health and well being.
* Excellent communication skills and initiative to effectively coordinate care.
* Ability to work collaboratively with clients, other NARA staff, and team members, and to treat everyone with respect and dignity at all times.
* Must have valid driver's license and personal vehicle.
What's in it for you?
14 Paid Holidays: New Years, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Battle of Little Big Horn, 4th of July, Labor Day, United Indigenous Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Employee's Birthday!
Benefits: Employees working 20 hours, or more are eligible for benefits. Benefits are effective from the 1st of the month following the date of hire.
* Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance through Kaiser Permanente
* 14 Paid Federal Holidays (Listed Above)
* 13 Paid Days of Sick Time
* 13 Paid Days of PTO (Vacation accruals increase with years of service to a maximum of 26 days)
* $50,000 Life Insurance & AD&D
* Short Term and Long-Term Disability
* Flexible Spending Account
* Health Spending Account
* 401(k) with 4% Match
* Employee Assistance Program
* Inclement Weather Days (Snow Days)
* Referral Program- (Up to $1000 Dollars)
* Company Phone
* Company Laptop
* Public Student Loan Forgiveness -NARA NW is a local 501(c)3 nonprofit, FQHC
How to apply:
* To Quick Apply, go to Careers - NARA NW (naranorthwest.org)
* Look for the position you want to apply for and submit a resume (Required) and cover letter (Not required), that's all!
* Feel free to contact ...@naranorthwest.org if you have any questions or would like to know where your application is in the process.
NARA NW is fully committed to supporting sobriety. All employees must agree to model sobriety, including no alcohol drinking, no illicit drug use, no marijuana use, and no prescription drug abuse behavior. If in recovery, must have been sober/clean for a length of time sufficient to demonstrate that will be able to model sobriety..
This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position's activities and requirements, the agency reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties, as necessary.
Preference in hiring is given to qualified Native Americans in accordance with the Indian Preference Act (Title 25, US Code, Sections 472 and 473). NARA Northwest is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Within the scope of Indian Preference, all candidates will receive equal consideration. Experience working with Native American/ Alaska Native community is considered a plus.