Housing Navigator

The Domestic Violence Housing First Initiative (DVHFI) Housing Navigator is responsible for working collaboratively with shelter and case management staff to identify housing opportunities for clients. This position is required to actively seek out, obtain and maintain relationships with landlords. The Housing Navigator provides housing opportunities in Cuyahoga County. The Housing Navigator is expected to demonstrate organizational values and sensitivity to the diversity of the organization's client base.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Proactively seek out new housing opportunities and resources
2. Develop and maintain on-going relationships with landlords and other housing providers, including acting as a liaison between landlord and advocate as needed
3. Maintain accurate documentation and knowledge of the housing spreadsheet, as well as provide documentation of all contacts of housing providers. Provide consistent updates on housing availability
4. Maintain current level of knowledge on program software and other information on housing assistance programs
5. Knowledge of Housing Quality Standard Inspections per grant guidelines and advocate for clients with regard to quality standard of living

1. Possess an understanding of client centered approach and client self-determination
2. Attend and contribute to all agency and community meetings as appropriate for the position

1. Develop and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues and other social service agencies

1. Learn and follow Journey Center policies and gain understanding of agency functions and programs
2. Participate in trainings as required

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Respect, understand, and promote Journey Center's mission, vision, values, and goals
2. Complete agency orientation and training to meet job requirements
3. Assume additional duties or special projects as needed or assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience (lived experience, academic, professional) is required
2. Familiar with EDEN Rapid Rehousing or similar housing agencies and systems preferred
3. Must have and maintain a valid Ohio driver's license and appropriate insurance coverage; Must maintain appropriate driving record
4. Must be available to work extended and non-traditional hours

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics

1. Ability to work in crisis environment with a wide range of people from community professionals, police, clients, and volunteers
2. Knowledge of Word, Excel, and other computer programs
3. Working knowledge of community resources available for adult/child victims of domestic violence, child abuse, human trafficking
4. Ability to perform job duties with a high degree of initiative and independent judgment
5. Strong interpersonal communication skills including developing collaborative relationships
6. Willingness to travel into the community to meet with clients and community partners
7. Commitment to child abuse and domestic violence prevention
8. Thorough knowledge of rules, regulations, functions, procedures, organization, and policies governing the operations of Journey Center for Safety and Healing
9. Experience in and commitment to building and supporting trauma informed organizations committed to equity, inclusion, and advocacy
10. Maintain a positive attitude
11. Ability to incorporate Journey Center's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion value by modeling our work through a lens of equity and anti-racism.
12. Ability to incorporate Journey Center's Values into assigned duties
    1. Empowerment- partner with people as they foster their strength and confidence and express their worth
    2. Resiliency- Recognize and affirm the ability to overcome traumatic situations with persistence and determination
    3. Safety- Experience the world without feat and to enjoy relationships based on respect and trust
    4. Inclusion- Seek, value and learn from the unique perspectives of diverse individuals and to advocate for equal access to opportunities and resources
    5. Integrity- Honest in our relationships, true to our mission in words and actions, and accountable for saying what we will do and doing what we say
    6. Connectedness- Collaborate at levels to cultivate respectful, meaningful and supportive relationships that foster growth and well-being

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

1. Communicate with others in person, electronically, or by phone on a consistent basis
2. Regular and predictable attendance

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of Journey Center for Safety and Healing. Since no position description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the job holder's responsibility.