HUDVASH Housing Navigator
Denver, CO (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1247+Santa+Fe+Denver+CO+80204)
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Job Type
Full-time
Description
WHAT MAKES VOA SPECIAL
Volunteers of America Colorado believes unique challenges require unique and thoughtful solutions. VOA creates specialized programs to meet the critical needs of the communities we serve—our programs across Colorado look different because each community is distinct. Volunteers of America recognizes the senior who needs assistance with her grocery shopping in Fort Collins, and the student in Aurora who has never been to summer camp. We support Denver’s homeless veterans who have been underserved, and prepare preschoolers challenged by poverty to be successful in elementary school and beyond. Wherever we go we engage faith, relationship-building, and volunteers to lift up and support Colorado’s most vulnerable citizens.
Veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.
Job Summary
The HUDVASH (Housing and Urban Development Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing) Housing Navigator is tasked with engaging, recruiting, and retaining landlords, conducting housing consultations with program participants, and serving as the subject-matter agency expert in all matters related to the development of programming linked to housing placement. Job duties include conducting vacancy searches, hosting informational meetings with participants and partners, coordinating participant placement into housing, developing and maintaining housing databases, composing regular correspondence with landlords and assessing their program satisfaction, identifying housing options for program participants, and training staff members and program participants in the subject areas of landlord retention, landlord/tenant rights and responsibilities, and housing development/operating models relevant to homeless services. The HUDVASH Housing Specialist will be expected to receive extensive training related to Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) standards, VA HUD VASH Program standards, and training related to working with housing choice vouchers and local public housing authorities
Bonus Compensation Information:
*1500.00 total sign on bonus:
750.00 is paid on first payroll check
750.00 is paid out at 6 months of service
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Coordinate with HUDVASH and the PHA to support veterans in identifying and obtaining housing
Attend local by-name list meetings and case conferencing to help to identify those in the community most need of voucher assistance and provide support in getting those participants' documents ready to obtain a voucher.
Acts as a liaison between VOA and VA regarding veteran referrals and case care coordination (case conferencing, GPD/HUD-VASH referrals, etc.)
Outreach, engage, recruit, and retain landlords in order to identify available permanent housing stock.
Assist in the coordination of program participants’ placement into permanent housing destinations.
Provide education, guidance, and resources to program participants in order to support their housing search and retention.
Conduction informational meetings with program participants and community partners.
Stay abreast of best practices and emerging trends in homeless services, affordable housing, and permanent housing.
Assist in the development of new housing opportunities to benefit program participants.
Conduct housing consultations with program participants.
Deliver training to staff and program participants in the subject areas of landlord retention, landlord/tenant rights and responsibilities, and housing development/operating models relevant to homeless services.
Maintain client confidentiality and perform job responsibilities in accordance with the Social Work Code of Ethics.
Attend all required meetings, both within Volunteers of America and in the community.
Conducts required Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspections for Veterans moving into housing as needed.
Perform all other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Competencies
Models core culture attributes of VOACO that include “AIRS” (Accountability, Integrity, Respect and Service).
Models VOACO’s three strategical critical virtues of HHS (Hungry, Humble, People Smart).
Supervisory Responsibilities:
N/A
Minimum Qualifications of Position
Bachelor’s degree in human services, social work, or a closely related field or related experience -AND- 1 years of direct, full-time case management experience demonstrating the ability to consistently apply field-relevant best practices and standards.
OR- Master’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or a closely related field.
Must possess a Colorado driver’s license and state-mandated automobile insurance.
Must possess a personal vehicle that may be used for work-related travel (reimbursement for mileage is available).
Must complete agency and program credentialing within 12 weeks of hire and maintain credentialing standards thereafter.
Proficient computer skills, to include proficiency with the following: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); communication and collaboration tools (Slack, Zoom, Google Teams); digital calendars (Google, Outlook); file sharing programs (Dropbox, Google Drive); and project management software (Asana)
Proficient with Windows operating system.
Preferred Qualifications of Position
Experience working with vulnerable populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness and the Veteran population.
Experience working with landlords, property managers, or subsidized housing properties
Knowledge and Skills
· Knowledge and skill in the application of Harm Reduction, Critical Time Intervention, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Informed Care, and Housing First Principles.
Ability to respectfully and professionally serve individuals hailing from diverse backgrounds, cultures, ideologies, and religions.
Ability to work and thrive within a diverse, multicultural team environment.
Ability to take initiative and work independently.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Ability to apply appropriate self-care in the face of often difficult and/or traumatic situations which commonly present while working with persons in need of services.
Working Conditions and Physical Requirements
Travel throughout the program’s service area is required on a regular basis.
Must be able to work in diverse environments such as homeless shelters, service facilities, streets, offices, hospitals and health care facilities, and all other locations as necessary to fulfill program objectives.
Bending, Climbing, Stooping, Kneeling, Reaching, Crouching, Squatting, Lifting (30 to 50 pounds) Balancing, Standing, Sitting, Hand/Foot motions, Walking, Seeing (Close and distant vision, Detect, Determine, Perceive, Identify, Recognize, Judge, Observe, Inspect, Assess, Estimate), Depth Perception, Hearing/Listening, Speaking/Shouting (Communicate, Discern, Convey, Express, Exchange), Use of Hands/Fingers (Grasping, Holding, Touching), Thinking, Calculating, Memory/Recall, Exposure to Indoor and Outdoor environments
Position Type and Expected Hours of Work
Full-Time
Work hours may vary but are typically regularly scheduled around a 40-hour workweek designed to fulfill program objectives with occasional overtime requirements.
Location
VSS Field Offices are located in Denver, Colorado, Durango, Colorado, and Pueblo, Colorado. Regular travel within the SSVF service area as well as work location assignments within the following VAMCs is expected: For Denver, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center in Denver, Colorado; For Durango, Farmington, NM Community Based Outpatient Clinic and Durango Community Based Outpatient Clinic; For Pueblo, Pueblo Community Based Outpatient Clinic
PAY RANGE
$ 22.00-24.00
BENEFITS(eligibility is based on job type/status)
Vacation Time/Separate Sick Time
Paid Holidays/Floating Holidays/Personal Days
Volunteer/Wellness Day
Health, Dental, Vision, Pet Insurance
Tuition Assistance
Pension Plan
403b Retirement Plan with Agency Match
Life Insurance/Accident Insurance/Short
Employee Assistance/Work-Life Balance Program/Employee Discount Program
LifeLock with Norton
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Fully Company Paid Unlimited Mental Health Benefits for Employees on the VOAC Health Plan
Volunteers of America is an EEO/AA Employer
POSITION WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL FILLED