Housing Specialist

About Us:VOALAHelping Our Most Vulnerable Change Their Life StoriesVolunteers of America is a non-profit human services organization committed to serving people in need, strengthening families, and building communities. VOALA provides a variety of social services to Los Angeles area communities such as Head Start programs, Upward Bound college prep programs, veterans services, homeless shelters, low-income housing program as well as drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Learn more at www.voala.org.PAY RATE: $23.53 - $24.77 Per HourBENEFITS: VOALA offers competitive medical, dental, vision and retirement benefits.JOB SUMMARY AND PURPOSEThe Housing Specialist 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 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 RESPONSIBILITIESIdentifies and locates housing options suitable for homeless participants, including referral to VOALA shelters as appropriate;Creates and maintains a housing database linking tenants to apartmentsCommunicates with landlords and familiarize them with the VOALA programs and the unique needs of participantsConducts habitability and lead-based paint inspections of housing options as neededWorks directly (One on One) with landlords on behalf of clients and programDevelops support systems to meet individual client's housing needs; coordinates and facilitates move-in activities, rental negotiations, and service referrals as neededFacilitates the use of community resources to assist both tenants and landlords in the event of problems leading to potential evictionAs a member of the program case management team, provides information referrals, crisis intervention, and assistance with permanent housing placement for participantsAssists case managers in conducting the comprehensive screenings and assessments to collect functional, environmental, financial, employment, housing, educational, and health information, as appropriate, to develop an Individual Service PlanCoordinates follow-up services with case management team* Additional duties as assignedESSENTIAL DUTIES:Services for this position must be provided on-site. As a result, the position requires incumbents to report to work on-site each day of active employment.Identifies and locates housing options suitable for homeless program participants.Creates and maintains a housing database linking tenants to apartmentsCommunicates with landlords and familiarize them with the programWorks one-on-one with landlords to help clients, and represent programDevelops Support system for clients to achieve and keep permanent housing, involving landlords and services available in the community.Coordinates efforts with Case Management team, supporting Case Management initiatives for clients served, meets regularly to stay current with client needsParticipates in Community engagement and outreach effortsOther duties as required and may be subject to changeMANDATED REPORTERAs 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.QualificationsREQUIREMENTS:* Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications* 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:* Bachelors 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 individualsPREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:* Bilingual in English and Spanish (written and verbal)* Experience and familiarity using a HMIS (homeless database)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 (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment