Description

Position Title: Housing Navigator

Program/Department: Veterans Services Division

Reports to: Project Coordinator- Housing Navigator

Location: Washington, DC
Work Arrangement: *Hybrid

Hours: Monday-Friday (9 am-5 pm); Some evenings, holidays, and weekends may be required to support operations and respond to emergencies. (days and times are subject to change based on operational needs)

Status: Non-Exempt (Hourly)

Who we are: Friendship Place is a nonprofit organization, serving the Washington, DC region, empowering individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness to rebuild their lives with the involvement of the community. Friendship Place offers the most effective model for addressing homelessness, with innovative, customized programs that have positive, demonstrable results and a lasting impact on the community and beyond. Our programs are person-focused - individualized to meet the needs and goals of individuals, families, youth/young adults and Veterans experiencing homelessness. We provide outreach, hospitality, health care, case management, housing, job placement services, and advocacy.

Our Core Values: Friendship Place is a Person-First Organization that promotes transparency and ethical practices among our team and those we serve. All individuals in our organization are expected to perform their job duties in a manner consistent with our core values.

Summary: The Housing Navigator assists Veterans being placed into permanent housing quickly throughout the CoC's served by the program. The Housing Navigator will work in tandem with the VA to assist many Veterans receiving the HUD-VASH subsidy for permanent supportive housing. The Housing Navigator will provide support to SSVF case managers, HUD-VASH case managers, Veteran participants, and community providers. The Housing Navigator serves as a resource to case managers and will assist case management staff with needs related to housing for the following jurisdictions: DC, Arlington, Alexandria, Loudoun, Fairfax, Prince William, Montgomery, Prince George's, Frederick, Washington, Anne Arundel, Howard, Allegany, Carroll, and Garrett.

This role requires a high degree of professionalism, communication, accountability, and mutual respect.

This position requires the ability to independently and consistently travel to participant homes, community locations, and program sites multiple times per day, often on short notice, as an essential function of the job. Timely in-person response and field-based service delivery are fundamental to this role and cannot be modified without impacting operational needs and participant services.

*This position is a hybrid role. Remote work may be approved based on job duties and organizational needs, but is not guaranteed and may be adjusted or discontinued at any time based on performance, service delivery requirements, or operational considerations.

Essential Functions of Successful Job Performance

Coordination and communication about services to housing partners, including HUDVASH
General case management support in partnership with HUD-VASH, including tenancy preparation and non-clinical service interventions
HUD-VASH voucher coordination:
Document collection required by the PHA for HUD-VASH enrollment
Work with the PHA to ensure that all HUD-VASH standards are met and to address any concerns that are presented during the vouchering process
Connection to PHA for HUD-VASH voucher application, including assistance in completing and submitting application and follow up activities
Review unit compliance with household composition and Fair Market Rent (FMR) requirements
Preparation of HUD-VASH packet
Ensuring the voucher briefing is conducted, and Veteran receives voucher when PHA issues it
Transportation assistance to appointments, including medical appointments
Assistance with food and personal needs while homeless and coordination of service provision with HUD-VASH
Securing income through employment or benefits
Document all participant interactions in HMIS
Collaborate with external agencies providing services to participants, including community agencies, government agencies, and the VA
Complete all appropriate monthly and annual reports
Assist with new staff development
Participate in multidisciplinary meetings and regular supervision
Maintain paper and electronic files
Maintain participants' electronic records in the Homeless Management Information System
Demonstrate empathy and flexibility in responding to participants' needs and requests
Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, supervision, and actively seek out professional development opportunities
Communicate professionally and clearly in all interactions-both written and verbal-to support seamless service delivery and collaboration
Demonstrate integrity, cultural responsiveness, and mission alignment in a fast-paced, equity-driven environment
Maintains compliance with all assigned mandatory training
Consistently perform job duties in accordance with contractual obligations, funding source requirements, and program standards. Employee must maintain ongoing compliance with all applicable background requirements, policies, procedures, documentation, and service delivery expectations.
Must be able to effectively exchange information, comprehend client needs, and participate in critical conversations with participants, families, and team members, and remain responsive to adjust work activities in response to changing, urgent, or unplanned operational needs.
Must demonstrate integrity, accountability, and professionalism in remote work by accurately documenting time worked, maintaining productivity during scheduled hours, remaining responsive and available by email, phone, and Teams, and ensuring honest reporting of work activities and job performance.
This role involves working closely with individuals who may be experiencing mental health or substance use challenges. At times, the work may involve exposure to emotionally sensitive or challenging situations. Employees must be compassionate, self-aware, and able to maintain healthy boundaries while supporting others respectfully and in a trauma-informed way, and utilizing supervision and organizational supports as appropriate.
Attend and actively participate in all supervision meetings, staff meetings, agency training, professional training, and conferences as required.
Perform all other duties as assigned

Requirements

Background and Qualifications:

Education:

High School Diploma/GED Required
Bachelor's Degree Preferred
At least 2 years' experience in case management, customer service, community resources provider or similar setting preferred

Qualifications:

Valid driver's license, ability to operate motor vehicle and current auto insurance
Must have or be able to obtain a First Aid/CPR/AED certification that includes a hands-on skills testing module. Friendship Place will provide First Aid/CPR/AED training
Excellent time management, detail-oriented, organized, capable of maintaining confidentiality, and able to work independently with minimal supervision
Understanding and/or experience working with Veterans
Experience with HMIS data entry preferred
Experience providing services to families preferred
Strong written and verbal skills
Demonstrates professionalism across all levels of the organization
Strong commitment to the organization's mission, vision, and values
Proficiency in Office 365 system, specifically Word and Excel
Strong clinical skills and crisis management skills
Ability to work well under pressure
Ability to work as a team player
Essential Competencies and Work Expectations for All Staff
Communication: Employee must:
Demonstrate strong intra- and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to effectively express ideas and needs. This includes the ability to communicate clearly and respectfully with clients, colleagues, and supervisors.
Demonstrate active listening, emotional awareness, and the ability to adapt their communication style to different individuals and situations.
Demonstrate exceptional communication responsiveness and professionalism, including timely responses to emails, phone calls, messages, and other forms of communication within established organizational timeframes.
Understand that timely communication is an essential function of the position, and failure to maintain consistent communication may impact performance expectations.
Accountability: Employee must:
Demonstrate a high level of accountability, including ownership of responsibilities, meeting deadlines, following through on commitments, and accepting constructive feedback.
Be committed to Growth and Development and strive to build knowledge, skills, and best practices.
Maintain consistent attendance, dependability, and reliability as a critical function of the role.
Demonstrate a strong work ethic, including integrity, honesty, professionalism, confidentiality, and accountability for actions.
Work successfully in a team environment as well as independently.
Respectful Workplace: Employee must:
Treats all individuals with dignity, professionalism, and respect, including coworkers, supervisors, participants, vendors, and community partners.
Demonstrates emotional professionalism, including the ability to communicate professionally during conflict or challenging situations.
Contributes to a positive, respectful, and collaborative work environment, free from hostility, intimidation, gossip, disruptive conduct, or unprofessional interactions

Physical & Environmental Requirements: The role requires a balance of office-based tasks and fieldwork, including travel throughout the service area to meet with households, as well as participating in meetings and engagements with key stakeholders.

Employees must be able to sit for extended periods with repetitive motions and positions. The employee must be able to operate a motorized vehicle. Some lifting may be required (up to 20-25 lbs.) Other time will be spent in the office completing administrative paperwork and meeting with the supervisor

Background Checks: This position is subject to successful completion of background investigations as required by contract and applicable law, which may include but are not limited to state and federal criminal history checks, fingerprint-based checks, child/adult protective services registry checks, and other required program-specific or funding-source clearances. Continued employment is contingent upon maintaining required clearances throughout employment.

Direct & Indirect Reports: None

Specific Requirements: This position requires frequent travel throughout the service area, including same-day and scheduled client visits in community-based settings. Due to the nature and geographic scope of the role, employees must maintain access to a reliable personal vehicle at all times during employment to ensure timely response to client needs, consistent service delivery, and same-day, time-sensitive travel across multiple locations

A valid driver’s license, current automobile insurance, and an acceptable Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) must be on file as a condition of employment. Mileage incurred while using a personal vehicle for approved work-related travel will be reimbursed at the applicable GSA rate. Public transportation, rideshare services, and other non-mileage transportation methods are not reimbursable unless specifically pre-approved

Additionally, employees are required to notify the employer and provide updated documentation within a legally appropriate timeframe if there are any changes to their driver’s license status or insurance coverage.

Compensation: The hourly pay is between $27.94 - $30.53. The starting pay is based on a step system. A candidate’s starting pay determination is made based on meeting the basic position requirements, and current completed education, credentials, and work experience. Please Note: The step system is set and not open to pay negotiation.

Benefits: We offer an excellent benefits package including low-cost health insurance, health reimbursement, flexible spending accounts, employer-paid dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, 403B defined contribution plan matching, employee assistance programs, professional development, employee resource groups, paid holidays, vacation, sick, and much more!

Interview Process: Phone screening, panel style interview, final interview.

Website: www.friendshipplace.org

Equal Opportunity Statement: We support all qualified individuals within our workforce without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, personal appearance, familial status, family responsibilities, political affiliations, matriculation, credit, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Friend Place is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact human resources at humanresources@friendshipplace.org

How to Apply: Interested applicants should apply via the organizational website. All of our current career openings can be found by visiting www.friendshipplace.org

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