Housing Specialist
Voala, Hawthorne, CA, United States
Helping Our Most Vulnerable Change Their Life Stories
Volunteers of America is a non‑profit human services organization committed to serving people in need, strengthening families, and building communities.
Pay Rate: $23.53 - $24.77 Per Hour
Benefits: VOALA offers competitive medical, dental, vision and retirement benefits.
JOB SUMMARY AND PURPOSE The Housing Specialist I is responsible for identifying suitable housing options for program participants and their families, and assisting the participants to achieve sustainable and healthy independent living. Part of the services team for the program, the Housing Specialist participates in all stages of client service: assessment, services planning, engagement and delivery. Assists program case management, outreach and community engagement as directed.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Identifies and locates housing options suitable for homeless participants, including referral to VOALA shelters as appropriate.
Creates and maintains a housing database linking tenants to apartments.
Communicates with landlords and familiarizes them with the program and the unique needs of participants.
Conducts habitability and lead‑based paint inspections of housing options as needed.
Works directly (one‑on‑one) with landlords on behalf of clients and the program.
Develops support systems to meet individual client’s housing needs; coordinates and facilitates move‑in activities, rental negotiations, and service referrals as needed.
Facilitates the use of community resources to assist both tenants and landlords in the event of problems that may lead to potential eviction.
As a member of the program case management team, provides information referrals, crisis intervention, and assistance with permanent housing placement for participants.
Assists case managers in conducting comprehensive screenings and assessments to collect functional, environmental, financial, employment, housing, educational, and health information, as appropriate, to develop an Individual Service Plan.
Coordinates follow‑up services with the case management team.
Provides services on‑site; required to report to work on‑site each day of active employment.
Additional duties as assigned.
MANDATED REPORTER As service providers to the underprivileged and vulnerable in our community, all employees are considered mandated reporters, and must report any instance of physical or sexual abuse to proper authorities.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS
Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications.
Current TB screening and immunization records
(within 5 days of hire) .
Copy of current professional license (if applicable).
Current BLS certification
(within 15 days of hire) .
Valid real driver’s license or U.S. passport.
Completion of all required trainings
(within 30 days of hire) .
Ability to perform under circumstances of possible emotional stress and conflicts dealing with difficult, uncooperative, and potentially aggressive clients as VOALA serves the neediest of the needy in our programs which may include clients with homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse, recently released from incarceration and other challenges.
EDUCATION
Bachelor’s degree in Social Services or related discipline.
Or equivalent combination of education and work experience (four years).
EXPERIENCE
One year of experience working with veterans, people in recovery and or homelessness individuals.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Volunteers of America is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
This employer participates in E‑Verify as required by the federal government and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
If E‑Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security or Social Security Administration so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment.
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Pay Rate: $23.53 - $24.77 Per Hour
Benefits: VOALA offers competitive medical, dental, vision and retirement benefits.
JOB SUMMARY AND PURPOSE The Housing Specialist I is responsible for identifying suitable housing options for program participants and their families, and assisting the participants to achieve sustainable and healthy independent living. Part of the services team for the program, the Housing Specialist participates in all stages of client service: assessment, services planning, engagement and delivery. Assists program case management, outreach and community engagement as directed.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Identifies and locates housing options suitable for homeless participants, including referral to VOALA shelters as appropriate.
Creates and maintains a housing database linking tenants to apartments.
Communicates with landlords and familiarizes them with the program and the unique needs of participants.
Conducts habitability and lead‑based paint inspections of housing options as needed.
Works directly (one‑on‑one) with landlords on behalf of clients and the program.
Develops support systems to meet individual client’s housing needs; coordinates and facilitates move‑in activities, rental negotiations, and service referrals as needed.
Facilitates the use of community resources to assist both tenants and landlords in the event of problems that may lead to potential eviction.
As a member of the program case management team, provides information referrals, crisis intervention, and assistance with permanent housing placement for participants.
Assists case managers in conducting comprehensive screenings and assessments to collect functional, environmental, financial, employment, housing, educational, and health information, as appropriate, to develop an Individual Service Plan.
Coordinates follow‑up services with the case management team.
Provides services on‑site; required to report to work on‑site each day of active employment.
Additional duties as assigned.
MANDATED REPORTER As service providers to the underprivileged and vulnerable in our community, all employees are considered mandated reporters, and must report any instance of physical or sexual abuse to proper authorities.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS
Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications.
Current TB screening and immunization records
(within 5 days of hire) .
Copy of current professional license (if applicable).
Current BLS certification
(within 15 days of hire) .
Valid real driver’s license or U.S. passport.
Completion of all required trainings
(within 30 days of hire) .
Ability to perform under circumstances of possible emotional stress and conflicts dealing with difficult, uncooperative, and potentially aggressive clients as VOALA serves the neediest of the needy in our programs which may include clients with homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse, recently released from incarceration and other challenges.
EDUCATION
Bachelor’s degree in Social Services or related discipline.
Or equivalent combination of education and work experience (four years).
EXPERIENCE
One year of experience working with veterans, people in recovery and or homelessness individuals.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Volunteers of America is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
This employer participates in E‑Verify as required by the federal government and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
If E‑Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security or Social Security Administration so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment.
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