Overview

Description: We are seeking a passionate individual with a strong understanding of and commitment to Mary's Place mission of empowering women, children and families who are experiencing homelessness. Housing Specialists exhibit compassion and empathy as they work alongside families in Mary's Place shelters to help them obtain permanent housing. Housing Specialists work independently as well as part of a team, and have excellent organizational, research, documentation and time management skills.The Housing Specialist actively engages in Mary's Place racial equity work - striving for racially equitable outcomes and taking responsibility for creating, maintaining and affirming communities for people of color, immigrants and refugees, trans and gender-non-conforming people, and other populations who routinely encounter systemic oppressions.This is full-time, non-exempt, position working an 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. schedule, with flexibility to work some evenings, weekends, and holidays as necessary. Pay rate is $27-29/hour DOE.The Housing Specialist reports to the Housing Manager. This position does not supervise any staff.Key ResponsibilitiesWork individually with families to quickly set and meet housing goals, identify barriers to housing, and develop housing plansComplete vulnerability and housing assessments for families; complete screening reportsWork in Agency (Mary's Place database) to assess family housing options and create accurate documentation in a timely way (client meetings, goals, barriers)Proactively seek out new housing opportunities and resources to assist families with housing: internet-based housing searches, assist with applications to housing authoritiesWork to break down barriers to housing including connecting households to resources, obtaining documentation, address housing debt, etc.Help families navigate barriers related to immigration by connecting them to legal resources or aiding them with immigration paperworkUtilize appropriate procedures to work with guests to access flexible funding assistanceWork in collaboration with all teams, including Family and Shelter Advocates, Housing Locators, Youth Services, Health Services, and Economic Advancement Coordinator to refer guests to appropriate internal resourcesCovering various shelters sites as neededRefer guest to other providers/services that Mary's Place does not provideGather and verify documents provided by properties/landlords to determine eligibilityConduct weekly meetings and check-ins with every assigned guestAttend staff meetingsOther duties as assigned by supervisor Requirements: Skills/QualificationsBachelor's degree in social services or related field; or equivalent experience working in shelter, social services, or case managementExperience working in a shelter setting or with homeless population strongly desiredExperience conducting group trainingsBasic knowledge of Housing First PrinciplesAbility to work with clients who may have substance use disorders, untreated mental health, and significant trauma with a compassionate and trauma informed approach; basic understanding of Harm Reduction and Trauma Informed Care is strongly desiredFamiliarity with city and county services and resources that assist families experiencing homelessness is preferredProven ability to form positive relationships with guests, vendors, volunteers, and donorsExceptional time management and organizational skillsProficiency with Microsoft Word and Outlook; able to learn new software/database systems quicklyAbility to work both independently as well as in a collaborative, team-oriented organizationDemonstrated creative problem solving, setting healthy professional boundaries, conflict mediation, and crisis management skillsDemonstrated ability to understand and track funder requirements and ensure accurate and timely data collection/entryHighly motivated, resourceful, flexible, with a positive attitude and sense of humor, even under pressureAbility and willingness to w