Housing Navigator - Kings County Fire Department : Job Details

Type: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Non- Exempt

Compensation: $23.08/hr - $29.54/hr in 6 steps

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

MISSION STATEMENT:

Join Kings Community Action Organization (KCAO) and make a difference in Kings County, CA as an Housing Navigator. KCAO envisions a future where all people in Kings County are able to live with dignity, have access to available resources and have the opportunity, motivation and ability to live economically productive and satisfying lives.

Our Mission: Working as a team, KCAO will seek and provide programs that develop self-sufficiency in individuals, families, and communities within Kings County.

Our Vision: Kings County residents and communities will achieve self-sufficiency through the high quality and client-focused programs of KCAO.

We are a private nonprofit helping people and changing lives in Kings County since 1965. Do you see yourself as part of our team of passionate, committed, and caring people?

JOB SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Housing Program Manager, the Housing Navigator is responsible for providing direct assistance and support to individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Housing Navigators will perform services that assess housing needs, make appropriate referrals, and provide information regarding related programs and services.

The Housing Navigator will be responsible for assisting customers with accessing Kings County services and community resources with the goal of securing permanent housing. These services may include but are not limited to the following: crisis intervention, developing a case plan to obtain housing, assessing opportunities for housing assistance and rental subsidy programs, and related activities required to secure temporary and/or permanent housing placement.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide individuals and families with services and assistance with the navigation of housing and community resources and services, to secure temporary or permanent housing placement with an appropriate level of support.
• Participates in meetings and conducts site visits with representatives of contract providers to establish and maintain contacts, communicate department protocols, convey assessment findings, and provide input on appropriate treatment and/or housing placement.
• Prepares presentations; participates in meetings, discussions, committees, task forces, develop goals, tasks, and measurement outcomes for housing related programs and services.
• Collaborates with the housing program's internal team members to develop housing plans for individuals/families to facilitate placement in appropriate programs or housing settings.
• Link individuals/families to support services such as physical health, mental health, substance use treatment services, and transportation.
• May conduct landlord engagement activities and serve as a liaison/consultant to landlords
• Keep current with proposed, new, or revised Federal or State legislation and new protocols, trends, methodologies, or solutions pertaining to housing navigation services; identify and analyze the potential impact of implementing such legislation.
• Maintain communication with Kings/Tulare Homeless Alliance, homeless service providers, and landlords and housing providers about the status of individual/family progress where appropriate.
• Composes correspondence, reports, briefings, written summaries, and supporting documentation; maintains records, files, reports, and other documents,
• May performs analytical and administrative work in support of Housing Navigation Services programs and services.
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation of service delivery and participants' progress in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). Collect data on housing outcomes.
• Provide responsive, high-quality service to KCAO employees, representatives of outside agencies and members of the public by providing accurate, complete and up-to-date information, in a courteous, efficient and timely manner.
• Placement techniques related to homeless children, families, and/or adults
• Public social service programs on the Federal, State, and local level
• Rules and regulations governing the provision of housing, health and social services to people who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness
• Current trends and issues in the field of homelessness
• Principles and methods of identifying and assessing social and housing needs
• Various socio-economic, cultural, and ethnic trends, conditions, and expectations
• Community and agency resources providing social service and housing benefits
• Employment planning and training and job readiness techniques
• Telephone, office, and online etiquette
• Extensive knowledge of social services
• Understanding of HUD regulations, city and county intake and placement processes.
• Comprehend and apply laws, regulations, policies, and procedures relative to services available to persons experiencing or at risk of becoming homeless
• Exercise tact, objectivity, sensitivity, strategy, and judgment in dealing with a variety of people in a variety of situations
• Communicate effectively with people of various educational, socio-economic, and cultural backgrounds and function calmly in situations which require a high degree of sensitivity, tack, and diplomacy
• Establish and maintain effective and coordinated working relationships with individuals, groups, and community agencies
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Establish effective working relationships with management, employees, employee representatives and the public representing diverse cultures and backgrounds
• Assess the customer's immediate needs and ensure customer's receipt of needed services through personal service or making appropriate referral
• Exercise appropriate judgment in answering questions and releasing information
• Analyze and project consequences of decisions and/or recommendations

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university AND
• One (1) year of housing related program experience with a public or private agency/organization.

OR

• An associate degree from an accredited college or university AND
• Three (3) years of housing related program experience with a public or private agency/organization.

OR

• Five (5) years of any combination of college level education and experience as stated above.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Complete Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault certification within 6 months of hire.
• Travel and attend out of area meetings and conferences as required per the funding source(s).
• Work variable hours and days, including those outside regular Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. business hours.
• Meet and maintain KCAO hiring requirements which include:
  • Criminal Record Clearance including California DOJ, FBI and Child Abuse Centralized Index (CACI), National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW), and the California Sex and Arson Registry (CSAR) (Megan's Law). Reliable, insured transportation and valid California Driver License
  • Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) acceptable to KCAO's vehicle insurer.
  • Health examination with tuberculin clearance.
• Ability to be contacted outside of regularly scheduled work hours in case of emergency.

KCAO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace

KCAO participates in the E-Verify program that electronically confirms an employee's authorization to work in the United States that complies with the I-9 form.