Housing Navigator

POSITION: HOUSING NAVIGATOR

RESPONSIBLE TO: Housing Navigation Manager, Community Health Home

COMMITMENT (HOURS): Full-Time, 40 hours per week

STATUS: Non-Exempt (3 months orientation period)

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Open until filled

Family Bridges in Oakland is looking for a full-time Housing Navigator to join our Community Health Home (CHH) – Oak Street Community Cabin Team. The Oak Street Community Cabin (OCC) is a 24/7 emergency residential shelter for houseless adults in the greater Oakland Chinatown area. The successful candidate thrives in a positive, team-driven environment, is skilled in encouraging and promoting an environment that is strength based, and is committed to serving persons facing houselessness, substance abuse, and/or mental health issues with respect and dignity.

JOB SUMMARY: The Housing Navigator, a member of Oak Street Community Cabin (OCC) Team, is responsible for providing housing navigation for cabin residents. The Housing Navigator will engage cabin residents in their journey to becoming housed e.g. support residents in their positioning to become housed, finding housing, transitioning to being housed, and stabilizing in that housing. The Housing Navigator provides onsite care management, establishes public benefits, and offers viable connections to behavioral/mental health, substance abuse services, stable housing, advocacy, and other supportive services as needed. The Housing Navigator will provide individualized support by helping each resident develop a plan to address their barriers, increase their income (including potential employment opportunities), and maintain and sustain permanent housing. As part of the plan, the Housing Navigator will identify areas in which cabin residents will need assistance to accomplish the outlined goals and objectives. The Housing Navigator works collaboratively with the Housing Services Manager and Site Support Staff, is directly supervised by the Housing Services Director, and ultimately responsible to the Community Health Home Program Director.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Conduct screening interviews, complete intake documentation and coordinate move in and exit of Oak Street Community Residents.
Provide care management and navigation services to obtain social supports and housing stability.
Perform initial comprehensive case management assessment and develop a plan of intervention and referrals that addresses need for housing, services, crisis intervention, and continuity of care planning and coordination.
Identify appropriate housing options for residents, such as, subsidized housing, permanent supportive housing, affordable and market rate housing, and other housing opportunities.
Assist residents with housing applications, complete supportive and subsidized housing paperwork, survey rental market for affordable housing, and advocate for residents with prospective landlords.
Maintain internal data tracking systems, case notes, and manage HMIS entries and uploads.
Prepare case-related reports and generate data for monthly reporting.
Maintain complete and accurate documentation of service objectives and outcomes as well as other services in accordance with federal, state, county and other required guidelines.
Complete follow-up and retention services, and provide back-up documentation in resident file.
Outreach to community, landlords, housing developers and other service providers.
Actively participate in external and internal meetings and trainings.
Network with other agencies, coalitions, and local community meetings.
Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Associate or Bachelor’s Degree in a health, social science or related field, and/or 1-3 years work experience in housing navigation.
Previous experience with community based social services and/or programs for the houseless.
Ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously in a high-pressure, fast paced, time sensitive, and dynamic work environment.
Demonstrated experience interacting and effectively communicating with diverse clientele.
Highly motivated self-starter, with proven ability to develop creative solutions.
Project a professional demeanor and maintain professional boundaries.
Reliable and effective team member with minimal supervision.
Experience maintaining and executing confidential information.
Strong attention to detail and experience developing work plans, organizing details, setting priorities, and meeting deadlines.
Proficiency in MS Office Suite and/or Google Suite apps: spreadsheets, word documents, calendar.
English language proficiency and strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to maintain regular and prompt attendance.
Valid California driver’s license.

PREFERRED/DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Degree in social work, counseling or human services.
Experience working with people facing houselessness, substance abuse, and mental health issues.
Experience integrating motivational interviewing, trauma informed care, de-escalation, and/or non-violent communication practices.
Familiarity with Alameda County Care Connect/Whole Person Care and Coordinated Entry.
Experience using Homeless Management Information System, Alameda County Community Health Record, and/or SalesForce database platforms.

ADA REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to communicate clearly with others.
Ability to see and hear in order to interact with others.
Ability to use a computer, smartphone and/or tablet (e.g. iPad).
Ability to travel locally and/or perform responsibilities in various environments multiple times a day.
To lift a minimum of 20 lbs.
Vision 20/20 with correction.

SALARY RANGE: Salary dependent upon experience, plus benefits.

TO APPLY: Send, fax or e-mail resume and cover letter to: Human Resources, Family Bridges, Inc.,
168 – 11th Street, Oakland, CA 94607, Fax: (510) 839-2435

Family Bridges, Inc. is a non-profit multi-services community based organization that has been serving the Asian American communities in the East Bay for more than 50 years. Family Bridges is an equal opportunity employer regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, age or disability.