Housing Navigator Jobs

ABOUT CITYSQUARE | NEIGHBOR SUPPORT SERVICES

CitySquare is a nonprofit based in Dallas, Texas that exists to fight the causes and effects of poverty through service, advocacy, and friendship. For over thirty years, CitySquare has grown to be one of the most effective social services organizations in the city with multiple programs working together to address housing, hunger, health, and hope. Working hand in hand with our neighbors - we do not have clients - we develop sustainable programming and partnerships that provide support and encouragement so that all can achieve their full potential. Following the Housing First philosophy, CitySquare’s Neighbor Support Services (NSS) department operates several programs to serve all neighbors by fostering hope through outreach, housing, and supportive services to promote positive life changes. Programs included in NSS are: Destination Home, A Way Home, Homeless Outreach, and the Dallas Real Time Rapid Rehousing Program.

The NSS team is made up of a Program Director, Assistant Program Directors, Program Managers for each program, Lead/Clinical/Case Managers, Housing Specialists, Housing Navigators, and Outreach Workers to support the overall work of each program. Team members are passionate about working with neighbors experiencing homelessness while also being able to manage reporting requirements necessary to maintain grant funding, including accurate financial reporting and data entry. Team members effectively communicate through in-person meetings with fellow staff, interactions with neighbors, and communication with all stakeholders necessary to the vision of restoring hope for the thousands of neighbors living in poverty in our city.

Position Summary

The Housing Navigator will work closely with Housing Forward and other community agencies collaborating to end homelessness through the Dallas Real Time Rapid Rehousing Initiative (DRTRR) that aims to rehouse over 2,700 individuals experiencing homelessness by October 2024.

The Housing Navigator is responsible for engaging persons experiencing homelessness and connecting them with permanent housing and other critical services. Using a housing first and harm reduction approach this position will provide housing navigation services that will include conducting assessments to match clients to appropriate housing interventions, accompanying clients from housing referral through the lease up process, and collaborating with system partners to facilitate and secure housing. This position requires knowledge of and experience in working with highly vulnerable populations. In addition, the Housing Navigator requires knowledge of housing assistance programs and knowledge of housing search and placements skills including housing search and landlord engagement, filling out housing applications, and the assisting with the leasing process. This position will also do landlord unit location. The Housing Navigator will work primarily in the field in a variety of settings, has ability to travel, and should be comfortable working in diverse settings to include in the community engaging with landlords, emergency shelters, encampments, under bridges, and other locations where unsheltered homeless are.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field preferred

Experience: One (1) year experience in case management. Experience with highly vulnerable populations, homeless population preferred. Orientation to best practices in behavioral health services for vulnerable populations preferred.

Licensure/Certification: Current Texas Social Work license preferred.

Additional Requirements: Excellent communication and critical thinking skills. Positive attitude, flexibility in a highly dynamic environment and able to handle crisis situations under pressure. Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects/tasks. Self-motivated with ability to take initiative and be resourceful. Ability to work as a member of a team and work with community stakeholders as appropriate to achieve meaningful outreach and engagement of clients. Must be proficient in MS Word, Excel, and Outlook. Ability to work occasional flexible hours as requested. Must have a valid driver’s license, insurance, and reliable transportation. Willing to transport program participants. Willing to work with chronically homeless individuals with disabilities (physical, mental and/or substance abuse) who may or may not have criminal backgrounds. Willing to provide outreach and housing navigation services to unsheltered homeless living in places not meant for human habitation, including in encampments, under bridges, and other locations where unsheltered homeless stay.

Primary Responsibilities

This section describes the primary responsibilities of an employee in this position. Please note: The primary responsibilities of this position are not limited to this list.

• Participates in Coordinated Access Team meetings as needed.
• Present for monthly All-Staff meetings, weekly team meetings, case conferencing, training workshops and supervision.
• Provide support for persons experiencing homelessness as they transition from homelessness to housing.
• Assists homeless individuals that have been referred from the Coordinated Access System in gathering and obtaining all documents necessary to complete a housing program enrollment and/or application.
• Communicate and coordinate with the Coordinated Access System and other providers to locate households and share information.
• Attends all Housing Navigator and HMIS trainings to utilize the Coordinated Access System accurately.
• Maintain current documentation and records of encounters, assessments and referrals, as well as other statistical data required by the program, and ensure all data is entered accurately into ETO, and HMIS.
• Other Duties as assigned by Supervisor, Program Manager, Assistant Director and/or Director of NSS.
• Works closely with the Housing Forward, housing locators, case managers, and outreach workers to identify positive solutions to ending a household’s homelessness.
• Attendance at any and all community meetings related to homelessness in Dallas.
• Provides psychoeducation to households, as needed to be successful in obtaining housing.
• Accompanies individuals to all housing appointments and serves as their primary advocate.
• Completes in-depth assessments, as needed, to ensure proper supportive services are provided.
• Provide housing search and placement, including locating housing units and engaging with landlords, complete housing applications and assist with the leasing process.
• Engage persons experiencing homelessness in shelters, on the streets, encampments, and other public access areas in Dallas County.
• Assists in locating or identifying alternatives to emergency shelter stays when appropriate.
• Ensure contract compliance and verify persons experiencing homelessness eligibility for program services.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

This section describes the knowledge, skills and abilities an employee in this position should currently possess. Please note: The knowledge, skills and abilities required for this position are not limited to this list.

• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to use good judgment and to maintain confidentiality of information.
• Skill in telephone etiquette and paging procedures.
• Ability to demonstrate tact, resourcefulness, patience and dedication.
• Displays appropriate, professional, healthy boundaries and exercises mature judgment and understanding of safety concerns.
• Skill in organizing and prioritizing workloads to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work as a team player.
• Ability to engage and build rapport with hard to reach homeless individuals.
• Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
• Ability to accept direction and adhere to policies and procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively with homeless individuals and service providers.
• Desires to grow in knowledge of homeless services and resources.
• Ability to maintain regular, consistent attendance.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Driving is an essential function of this position.
• Knowledge of computers and software applications.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND SPECIAL DEMANDS

This section describes the physical, mental and other special demands of this job. Modifications to the manner in which this job may be performed will be reviewed periodically.

• Ability to walk, sit and stand for long periods, up to 8 hours.
• Ability to work evening hours and weekends as needed.
• Ability to see well enough to read handwritten and typewritten material.
• Ability to spend 50% of working time outside in temperature varying from -0oF to 110oF.
• Ability to spend 90% working time in environment of continuous moderate voices and office machine noise typical for business office atmosphere.
• Ability to handle a variety of repetitive tasks.
• Ability to work a 40-hour week.
• Ability to work outside for the majority of the workday & in various weather conditions (windy, rain, etc.)
• Ability to use both hands in fine and gross manipulation of small tools (copier, computer, telephone).
• Ability to hear and speak well enough to communicate via phone.
• Ability to push and pull up to 10 lbs. (File cabinet drawers, computer paper boxes).
• Ability to retrieve files from bottom shelves/drawers and reach up for items located on top shelves.
• Ability to reach, turn and twist above and below the waist daily to retrieve files or supplies.
• Ability to work with participants who may be mentally ill or inebriated.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds dead weight to move or transfer boxes or documents.
• Ability to stand and walk daily to retrieve forms/supplies for other departments.
• Ability to work in areas inhabited by persons experiencing homelessness, to include working in dirty environments and dealing with challenging individuals.

Machines, Tools, Equipment, And Other Work Aides

This section describes the machines, tools, equipment and other work aides an employee in this position must be able to use.

• Policies, procedures, plans, and program manuals
• Copy Machine
• Telephone
• Computer
• Calculator/10-Key

Benefits

Medical and Prescription Drug, Health Savings Account, GAP Insurance, Dental, Vision, Optional Life and AD&D Insurance, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance and 401k.

Additional Benefits Offered:

401K - Eligible to receive 5% (if contribution is 10%) Match after 30 days of employment 100% vested after 2 years of service. Generous PTO offered! During the first year of employment, you can earn up to 120 hours (equivalent to about 15 days). PTO increase to 184 hours during 2nd year of service 9 paid holidays plus CitySquare offices are closed during Christmas Holiday season.

Benefits at no Cost to CitySquare Employees:

Basic Life and AD&D Insurance $20,000 basic coverage, Employee Assistance Program, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Alight.

Parental Leave: Eligible employee becoming parents may receive 6 weeks of paid leave at 100 percent of their salary following the birth, or placement of a child: Adoption. An additional 3 days of Paid Time Off will be credited to the employee PTO Balance upon return from parental leave.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): We are a qualifying employer for the PSLF Program. The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your Student Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer.

Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous PTO offered! During the first year of employment, you can earn up to 120 hours (equivalent to about 15 days). PTO increase to 184 hours during 2nd year of service.

Extra Time Off around the Holidays: In Addition to Paid Time Off (PTO) employees receive the week of Christmas off! An additional 7 days during Christmas.