Job Title Housing Specialist

Department Career Mobility Action Plan Program

Location Washington, DC

Reports to Clinical Program Director

Position Full-Time, Exempt

General Summary

GWUL is offering a Family Work & Wellness Accelerator Program designed to assist approximately 300 families who have experienced homelessness and have recently exited a rapid rehousing program. The Accelerator program provides critical services in career advancement, financial empowerment, family support, and housing stabilization. The program is developed in partnership with FHI 360 to provide an integrated solution for career navigation and coaching services that put the voices of participating families at the center of design, care, and support.

The Housing Specialist, also called the Housing Navigator, will spend much of their time in the office on a Hybrid Schedule, three days onsite and two days offsite, leading Career Mobility Action Plan (Career MAP) program participants through the relocation process. Specifically, the Housing Specialist will primarily be responsible for processing all Career MAP program housing-related documents, matching applicants to available housing options, and supporting program participants in securing safe, comfortable, and affordable housing. The incumbent will be responsible for building relationships with housing providers to increase the pipeline of housing opportunities available to program participants. The Housing Specialist will manage rental assistance contracts, determine initial or ongoing eligibility for rental units, coordinate inspections, and provide guidance and training to GWUL staff or other program providers. In addition to providing superior customer service to ensure program participants receive the services needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

According to the ADA 1990, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Manage the relocation process, inspection requests, and maintain connections, as a liaison between the program funder, program providers, and 600 Career MAP program participants.
• Develop and maintain an accurate and current housing portfolio with listings of available housing options that meet rent reasonableness standards and can be shared with program providers and participants.
• Communicate directly with housing providers with/or on behalf of program participants throughout the relocation process to streamline the application and lease-up processes and facilitate a smooth relocation experience.
• Receive all housing requests and carefully review each request to ensure that all pertinent information is collected regarding program participant housing needs.
• Assist and advocate on behalf of all program participants in their housing search, including applying for apartments, negotiating services, determining rent reasonableness, coordinating inspections, and completing the lease-up process.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with housing providers, property owners, and managers to expand housing opportunities for program participants.
• Maintain the housing relocation tracker daily to ensure that all relocation and inspection updates are shared amongst the Career MAP team and program providers.
• Record all housing-related engagements with GWUL Career MAP program participants in all required systems (Apricot, Quickbase, SmartSheets, etc.).
• Work in collaboration with GWUL Career MAP Service Coordinators.
• Facilitate monthly housing workshops for various aspects of the housing and relocation program processes.
• Must be able to personally identify with the lived experiences of our primary constituents and clients.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing (coaching and facilitating skills are preferred) with individuals representing diverse cultures and backgrounds and function calmly in situations that require a high degree of sensitivity, and diplomacy.
• Ability and desire to engage vulnerable populations and develop working relationships with a keen focus on providing excellent customer service.
• Ability to interpret, explain, and apply low-income housing program rules and regulations to the housing navigation process.
• Strong Excel, data management, scheduling, customer service, and time management skills.
• Experience managing a caseload of rental assistance contracts.
• Prior property management experience is a plus.
• Knowledge of HMIS, QuickBase, SPDAT, permanent housing procedures, and other housing-related procedures is a plus.
• Bilingual in Spanish is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor s degree in social work, human services, or related field.
• Three years of relevant housing navigation and assistance experience, ideally in homeless services, preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of homelessness prevention programs and case management services for vulnerable populations of individuals and families.
• Must be detail-oriented and possess strong organization and critical thinking skills.
• Must successfully complete a criminal background investigation.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Direct Reports: None.

Working Conditions

The employee will be working in a normal office environment.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this opportunity, the employee will frequently sit, stand, walk, and reach. May need to lift files or packages periodically.

Other Duties

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and work performed by employees but is not a complete list of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of personnel. Furthermore, other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at the discretion of the employer.

Generous Benefits

12 Paid Holidays

Paid Sick, Vacation, and Parental Leave

Medical, Dental, and Vision Health Coverage

Mental Health, Behavioral Health, and Wellness Support

Employee Assistance Program

Short Term and Long Term Disability

Employer paid Life Insurance (2x Annual Salary)

Whole Life Guaranteed Issue Insurance

403(b) Retirement Savings Plan

FSA Pre-tax Childcare, Parking, Commuter Benefits, and Health Savings

Learning & Development Opportunities

Community Outreach Opportunities

Monthly Employee Engagement Events

The Greater Washington Urban League is an equal employment opportunity employer.