POSITION TITLE: Housing Advocate
SUPERVISOR’S TITLE: Director of Programs
DEPARTMENT: Programs
WORK DAYS: Monday through Friday
STATUS: Full Time with Benefits
Do you have experience with housing? Are you personally excited about helping persons impacted by homelessness and finding supportive housing? Then we have great opportunity for you!
The ideal candidate has experience in working with persons that are/were homeless, has a thorough understanding of HMIS, Coordinated Entry, Rapid Re-Housing, and Transitional Housing Programs.
POSITION DESCRIPTION/PURPOSE
Under the general direction of our Director of Programs and grantor guidelines, the Housing Advocate possesses responsibility of assisting with locating and establishing housing for persons that are homeless. This is completed in compliance with policies and procedures and the Housing Advocate performs related duties as assigned.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES
· Assists homeless persons with locating and securing housing, obtaining leases, conducts rent calculations and maintains documentation.
· Conducts apartment inspections, acts as a mediator between clients and landlords, coordinates needed services for individuals/families and provide referrals using agency resource directory.
· Facilitates the creation of individual case plans, interventions, and obtain all required paperwork.
· Performs all other activities and duties as assigned.
· Provides stabilization services to households in various housing programs for persons with a history of homelessness.
· Works alongside other Housing Advocates and is responsible for some rent and payment request submissions.
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES
· Ability to work with diverse learners, various professionals, and community groups.
· Sensitivity to working with vulnerable populations.
· Strong organizational skills that reflect ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail.
· Very strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with volunteers, stakeholders, staff, board members, external partners and donors.
· Demonstrated proactive approaches to problem-solving with strong decision-making capability
· Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion, be adaptable to various competing demands, and demonstrate the highest level of client service and response.
· Demonstrated ability to achieve high performance goals and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
· Exercises good judgment in a variety of situations, possessing strong communication, administrative, and organizational skills, and the ability to maintain a realistic balance among multiple priorities.
EDUCATION/TRAINING/EXPERIENCE
· At least 2 years of housing experience required.
· Bachelor's degree in social-service related field preferred.
· Previous experience with Rapid Re-Housing Program, Transitional Housing, Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), and Coordinated Entry process is desirable.
· Previous experience with homeless population and housing counseling support.
· Knowledge of grant funded program practices and procedures.
· Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and Power Point), and Adobe Acrobat and ability to learn database (Apricot).
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
· Is creative and enjoys working within an environment that is mission-driven and community oriented.
· Works with integrity and exercises good judgment in a variety of situations, using strong communication, administrative, and organizational skills.
· Is a self-directed individual who embraces the opportunity to design systems of support.
· Enjoys teamwork and collaboration.
· Gathers and monitors information necessary to analyze, assess and solve problems.
· Takes initiative and performs duties with attention to detail and a high level of accuracy.
· Forward looking thinker, who actively seeks opportunities and proposes solutions.
· Emotional maturity.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
· Exhibits physical and mental health that does not interfere with job responsibilities.
· While performing the duties of this job, employee will be regularly required to sit, walk, and stand; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; use hands repetitively to operate standard office equipment; reach with hands and arms; and occasionally lift up to 5 pounds.
· This position operates in a professional office environment and the noise level is usually quiet. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, scanners, and fax machines.
· This position requires the ability to use personal vehicle to travel to various service locations in Suburban Cook County (mileage reimbursement is provided).
*All of the listed responsibilities are essential functions of the job.
*Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Note: This description is based on management’s assessment of the requirements and functions of this job as of the date this description was prepared. It is a general guideline for managers and associates, but it does not purport to be an exhaustive list of all of the elements of the job.
Center of Concern is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
Application Question(s):
- If offered the position, when is the earliest you would be able to start?
- Do you enjoy working in a small team?
- How many years of experience do you have in working with homeless persons or those at risk of homelessness?
- Do you have experience in locating and establishing housing for persons that were previously homeless or at risk of homelessness?
- What city is our agency located in?
Experience:
- housing: 2 years (Required)
Work Location: In person