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Social Worker / Housing Navigator I

EXEMPT: No – full time or part time regular employment

COMPENSATION: $27.00/hour, medical/dental/vision, holidays, sick leave
REPORTS TO: Program Manager

SUMMARY: The Social Worker/Housing Navigator I is responsible for the development and management of individual recovery plans for chronically homeless adults often experiencing mental illness and addiction, and to prepare for and secure stable housing. The Social Worker/Housing Navigator I is expected to assist the client in a kind, caring, and trauma-informed way to assess, plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate actions required to meet the client’s health and human services needs.

How to Apply: Fully read and review the position description. Submit your resume to info@dorothysplace.org, with your interest in the position before the closing date of February 28, 2025.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES include the following as well as other duties that may be assigned:

  • Understand that Trauma-informed Care is our prime directive and is a treatment framework that involves understanding, recognizing, and responding to the effects on our consumers of all types of trauma.
  • Treat all consumers equally, with respect, and according to the guidelines and staff rules. Our standard is one of graciousness and kindness. When misbehaviors occur, respect the consumer and divert the behavior if possible.
  • Record case information, complete accurately all necessary forms.
  • Perform HMIS consumer intakes and CARS consumer assessments.
  • Use Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and Activate Care consumer care platforms to input housing goals and outcomes and maintain each consumer’s care plan. Maintain HMIS and Activate Care with suitable data integrity.
  • Understand Enhanced Care Management (ECM) Services and provide comprehensive care management as a single lead care manager who coordinates all the consumer’s health and health-related care, including physical, mental, and dental care, and social services.
  • Understand Community Support (CS) Services and its core features (Housing Transition Navigation, Housing Deposit/Rent, and Housing Tenancy).
  • Handle case assignments, draft service plans, review case progress, and determine case closure.
  • Help clients achieve wellness and the highest possible degree of self-sufficiency.
  • Orient consumers and conduct intake interviews to collect information and assess the needs and strengths of each consumer and/or family.
  • Work closely with prospective Landlords/Property Managers to promote permanent housing opportunities for households that are experiencing homelessness and those that are at-risk of homelessness.
  • Serve as Landlord/Property Manager liaison including monitoring Landlord adherence to Fair Housing guidelines.
  • Provide general information about housing, screen of consumers for acceptance into various housing programs as well as verify eligibility for such opportunities.
  • Assist consumer complete a Tenant Resume and/or Housing Readiness Assessment (if applicable.)
  • Facilitate referrals and serve as advocate on behalf of consumers to assist them in securing services, entitlements and support to reach their goals. Collaborate with outside providers to coordinate client services.
  • Provide an appropriate level of guidance and support to assist consumers in meeting basic needs, addressing their action plan goals, and overcoming challenges.
  • Coordinate with Landlords/Property Managers and consumers in the housing process, sometimes including the application process and financial commitments related to housing.
  • Be present when consumer meets with Landlords/Property Managers. Be prepared to advocate on behalf of consumer. Prepare to be at lease signings (if applicable to circumstances). Assisting consumers in reviewing leases, acclimating to housing and meeting the financial requirements of security and rent.
  • Support the philosophy of consumer empowerment and respect for individual choices.
  • Conduct routine property updates, ensure Landlord/Property Manager is receiving rent payments, discuss any issues or potential issues, and address program non-compliance issues and evictions as required by Fair Housing standards for a term of one year after lease-up (if the consumer allows).
  • Work with consumer to ensure maintenance issues are handled in a timely manner by the Landlord/Property Manager.
  • Stay informed of community housing issues by building and maintaining relationships with housing and social service agencies in and throughout the county.
  • Develop key reporting measures and tracking methods. Maintain monthly reporting on outcomes, successes and barriers.
  • Be mindful of the intersection of exceptional service to the consumer and accurate and thorough documentation of billable services in Activate Care.
  • Respond to inquiries from community residents – provide and coordinate referrals, emergency services, and crisis intervention to residents as needed.
  • Actively recruit Landlords/Property Managers willing to work in conjunction with the agency and locating affordable housing opportunities to meet the needs of the consumer.
  • Participate in weekly consumer meetings, case reviews, weekly staff meetings and case conferencing with SHARE Center staff, training sessions, supervisory meetings, agency events, and other activities as directed.
  • Assist in SHARE Center operations, namely meal service and enforcement of facility policies. 
  • Obtain ongoing training as required and as necessary to effectively perform duties and for professional growth.
  • Maintain up to date knowledge of regulations and requirements related to housing programs and consumers eligibility.
  • Must complete the free HUD Certified Housing Counselor Knowledge Assessment and the HUD Housing Counselor Certificate within 3 months of hire through www.hudhousingcounselors.
  • Continue education and remain knowledgeable of policies within HUD (The Housing Urban Development), HCD (California Department of Housing and Community Development), DFEH (The Department of Fair Employment and Housing), and our local public housing authority
  • Help clients make informed decisions by acting as their advocate regarding their clinical status and treatment options.
  • Develop effective working relations and cooperate with multi-disciplinary teams.
  • Arrange abeyances with social services, health and governmental agencies.
  • Travel the extra mile and interact with clients to keep track of their progress and to ensure satisfaction.

Adhere to professional standards as outlined by protocols, rules and regulations.

 

GENERAL JOB PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Knowledge of Work: Possesses and utilizes knowledge of the job which is essential to perform the specific functions and related work.

Quantity of Work: Accomplishes an appropriate volume of satisfactory work under normal conditions.

Quality of Work: Consistently demonstrates accuracy, thoroughness, maturity, and dependability.

Timeliness: Completes assignments on or ahead of schedule.

Ability to Learn New Duties: Interprets, analyzes and responds appropriately in new situations. Develops guidance and procedures.

Training: Keeps core competencies current by participating in skills training. Trains staff.

Judgment and Common Sense: Decisions/actions are sound, including safety and risk management.

Cooperation: Willing to work with others toward common goals.

Communications: Demonstrates relevance and clarity of written and oral expression. Effectiveness in exchanging ideas and information.

Initiative: Ability to originate, develop and create new ideas or take steps to get things done.

Problem Solving: Identifies and evaluates alternative solutions and selects the most appropriate course of action.

Attendance and Punctuality: Shows daily ability to reliably meet scheduled appointments, arrives on time and prepared to work, respects others’ time, and sets an example for others.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university in social work, counseling, or psychology or equivalent combination of education and experience
  • Previous experience and proven consistent success in working with people transitioning out of homelessness
  • Previous experience working with people with multiple disabilities
  • Previous management, administrative and/or supervisory experience

Language and Communications Skills:

  • Ability to effectively present information both orally and in written format and respond to questions from staff, guests, residents, government entities, accountancy authorities, service partners and the general public.
  • Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and ability to quickly learn additional applications if required
  • Well organized, self-starter 
  • Possesses excellent telephone, electronic, written, and verbal communications skills
  • Spanish-speaking preferred

Mathematical Skills:

  • Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability:

  • Ability to define and solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITES:

  • A deep sense of compassion and understanding for homeless and marginalized individuals
  • A dedication to and practice of social justice
  • Must be mature, even-tempered and team spirited, respectful of the challenges of others, and have tempered judgment of others
  • Possess passion and enthusiasm for the mission of Franciscan Workers of Junipero Serra
  • Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and make sound independent decisions
  • Comfortable and knowledgeable in consensus-based decision making and practice of non-violent communication
  • Acts ethically, responsibly, and with utmost integrity

PHYSICAL & SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

  • Ability to easily climb stairs to a second story
  • Ability to easily bend and lift 20 lb. overhead
  • Ability to read and comprehend administrative documents as well as data on a computer screen
  • Ability to hear normal conversations and answer phones
  • Hand, finger and body coordination sufficient to fulfill requirements of the position
  • Ability to stand or sit for extended periods of time

TRAVEL:

  • This job requires routine travel (driving) within the Salinas Valley area and occasional driving and other travel to perform advocacy tasks and attend training.