SSVF Housing Navigator

Summary/Objective

This position is responsible for increasing access to both private and public rental markets for Veterans moving from homelessness to permanent housing.  This position includes both community outreach, focused on building and growing relationships with landlords and property managers and supporting clients in obtaining and keeping safe, stable housing.

Core Function

• Work as part of the COVO team providing "client-centered services" with all COVO staff members.
• Ability to receive constructive feedback.
• Ability to communicate professionally, in a positive solution focused way.
• Ability to perform essential responsibilities in person.

Essential Responsibilities

• Work closely with all members of the SSVF team, as well as independent outreach and education efforts throughout the tri-county area (Deschutes, Crook, Jefferson counties).
• Works closely with the SSVF team in developing outreach strategies for engaging landlords.
• Meet as needed with clients to assist with applications, housing search, or other support services.
• Provide outreach and education to landlords, property managers, and the general public regarding SSVF and other community resources while strengthening collaborations with partner organizations.
• Build relationships with landlords and create incentives for landlords to prioritize rental to Veterans experiencing homelessness who have barriers to accessing permanent housing.
• Maintain complete client records, daily activity logs, mileage logs, and other reports as directed.
• Maintain all required SSVF documentation in participants' confidential case records and enter all client information into the HMIS and Apricot databases in a timely and accurate fashion as outlined in the SSVF Policy Guide and COVO Policy Guide.
• Maintain landlord relationships and assist to keep the database on properties and landlord contacts current.
• Develop outreach materials and agreements with landlords that will provide rental units to help homeless clients access and maintain permanent housing.
• Act as a liaison and mediator for housing issues that may arise.
• Attend CES every Monday and represent HEAT’s that COVO has submitted and communicate with community partners when clients are co-enrolled.
• Manage the CES hotline every other month
• Maintain statistics and provide narrative reports monthly as required by the Program Manager.
• Assist Housing Case Managers with the coordination of residential support services to ensure clients maintain permanent housing.
• Conduct tenant and landlord education trainings.
• Complete check-ins, walkthroughs, and support veterans at all COVO properties.
• Actively participates in weekly all staff meetings and daily case management meetings.
• Maintain a compressive understanding of all SSVF policies, practices, guidelines and actively participate in trainings.
• Maintain a satisfactory driving record and acceptable vehicle insurance to transport donations, food boxes, meet with clients and deliveries of TFA checks, as needed.
• Other duties as requested.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position's essential functions.

Supervisory Responsibility

• None

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office setting, within the community, and with a diverse population.

Travel

• This position requires frequent tri-county travel.

Required Education and Experience

• High School Diploma.
• Verifiable experience working with indigent and/or at-risk populations (can be a combination of internships, OJT, and/or volunteer work).
• Ability to work effectively with individuals of diverse cultural backgrounds and disciplines.
• Experience working with landlords and placing homeless households with barriers into permanent housing.
• Knowledge of Landlord/Tenant Laws and Fair Housing Regulations.
• Commitment to creating highly collaborative work environments with both internal and external partners.
• Understanding of the use, storage, and appropriate dissemination of highly confidential information.
• Must have Oregon Driver's License and current motor vehicle insurance that suffices the Oregon Minimum Liability requirement.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Degree in a Human Service field of study (social work, counseling, psychology, or related field).
• Direct work in the field of veteran services

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of the employee's activities, duties, or responsibilities to do this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.