Housing Navigator I

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the CalAIM Program Manager, the employee will be evaluated based on skillset, experience, and ability to provide program services under the capacity as a Housing Navigator or Enhanced Care Manager.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities of an Enhanced Care Manager:

Enhanced Care Managers will need to have extensive experience in serving individuals with health barriers utilizing a person-centered approach and will provide wrap around services; build rapport with clients that may have no other support network. Enhanced care managers will provide care coordination, health promotion, comprehensive transitional care, coordination of and referral to community and social support services, benefit establishment, linkage to stable housing; conduct assessments, build care plans with clients, and meet routinely to achieve goals, and all other supportive services as needed. Enhanced Care Manager assess members needs in the area of mental health, physical health, substance abuse, financial stability, employment, food security, clothing, housing and other needs. Provide onsite case management services in the areas of independent living skills, cooking groups, house meetings, social events, employment linkage, benefits establishment, and other services as needed to assist in reaching case plan and treatment goals; provide health education materials; attend multi-discipline coordination meetings to discuss case progress, barriers, and receive guidance from health professionals; accompany members to appointments as needed. assist members with submitting applications that will benefit their overall wellbeing; collaborate with primary care providers, behavioral health and public health agencies, non-profits, and other community-based organizations to build a support network for clients.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities of a Housing Navigator:

The Housing Navigator will need to have extensive experience working with individuals who are chronically homeless, homeless families, those at risk of becoming homeless, and/or homeless veterans. Knowledge of Public Housing Authority and Housing subsidy is ideal (i.e., Housing Choice Vouchers, Shelter Plus Care, VASH, permanent supportive housing, affordable and market rate housing, and other housing opportunities). Assist clients with housing applications, complete supportive and subsidized housing paperwork, survey rental market for affordable housing, and advocate for clients with prospective landlords. Housing navigator will provide client advocacy, case management, outreach and engagement, individualized client support by conducting Housing Assessments, helping to develop Housing Support Plans to address their barriers, achieve better health outcomes, increase their income, and maintain and sustain permanent housing. As part of the plan, the Housing Navigator, will identify each area in which clients will need assistance to accomplish the outlined goals and objectives (i.e., scheduling appointments, applying for public benefits, identifying subsidized housing, etc.). Housing Navigator will conduct outreach in the community routinely including daily, weekly, monthly; and is expected to meet clients where they are; this includes shelters, parks, alleyways, community events, etc. Housing Navigators will participate in community events throughout the region, advocate on behalf of their clients, work to recruit landlords, and establish working relationships for the benefit of clientele.

Housing Navigator and Enhanced Care Manager will be expected to perform the following duties:

• Provide person-centered approach services.
• Assist clients with identifying barriers and building plans to mitigate or reduce barriers.
• Connect clients to other community resources in the community.
• Work collaboratively with Champions programs, managed care plans, primary care providers, and local housing programs to conduct screening interviews, complete intake documentation, and coordinate move-in and exit of all program participants.
• Respond to referrals and clients’ requests for case management assessment and intervention within the required response time.
• Accurately record all contacts made and services provided in Champions’ electronic health records system in a timely manner.
• Encourage and promote an environment that is strengths-based to assist clients in meeting their individual goals.
• Maintain complete and accurate documentation of service objectives and outcomes as well as other services in accordance with federal, state, county, and the Organization’s guidelines.
• Complete follow-up and retention services and provide back-up documentation in client file.
• Outreach to community, business owners, realtors, landlords, housing developers, and other service providers to identify new and existing opportunities and build strong relationships to better assist clients in accessing resources, employment, supportive services, and housing opportunities.
• Attendance to community meetings and possible engagement and participation of committees such as the Kings Tulare Homeless Alliance Stakeholder meetings, monthly coordination meetings, etc.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Please note this job description is not designated to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required for the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

• BA in social work, psychology, or related field; AA in social work, psychology, or related field plus 2 years’ mental health experience; and/or 1 year of experience as a Housing Navigator and/or Whole Person Care or Health Homes Case Management experience may be substituted.
• Experience must be in the provision of case management services for persons living with mental illness, substance use disorders, homelessness, and/or justice-involvement.
• Must have valid California Class C Driver’s License; maintain a good safety record (verified by DMV at hire and periodically) and a reliable vehicle; proof of liability insurance if driving personal vehicle.
• First Aid and CPR certifications obtain within 30 days of employment and maintain current thereafter.
• Proficient in general office tools and software, including Microsoft Office and Outlook.
• Team oriented individual willing to support peers in daily outreach or coverage as needed.
• Ability to prepare presentations and comfortability with public speaking to groups and organizations.
• Experience in obtaining third party credit, criminal, and rental history reports (desired).
• Experience performing work related to data collection/entry, budgeting, credit repair, and organizing skills (desired).
• Experience with culturally diverse population.
• Ability to understand and interpret information, follow instructions and manage workflow. Strong Interpersonal skills; ability to work effectively with people in a constructive manner within a community-based treatment setting.
• Basic and routine computer keyboarding, programs and software and advanced office management practices and operating procedures.
• Able to multi-task in a fast-paced environment, apply professional judgement in solving difficult issues, and to communicate in a clear, precise and professional manner.
• Bilingual (English and Spanish speaking) preferred. 
• Must be able to provide services to clients while practicing culturally humility and trauma-informed, gender-responsive, and patient-centered care.
• Ability to work flexible schedules/shifts/areas, including some nights and weekends in order to meet the needs of clients in the program.
• Must maintain good relationships with consumers, co-workers, government, and civic representatives, as well as community members within whom the Agency is transacting business and relate to them in a professional manner.
• Ability to work independently and to carry out assignments to completion within parameters of instructions given, prescribed routines, and standard accepted practices.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to perform the essential job functions consistent safely and successfully with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 20 lbs.
• Must be able to talk, listen and speak clearly on telephone and telehealth platforms.

Working Conditions: 

Interfaces with all levels of management, staff, clients, residents, and families including community partners.  Significant amount of services will be completed in homeless encampments, homeless shelters and transitional housing programs, and clients’ homes.

Hours:  Work hours can vary and may require so-me on-call scheduling including weekends, evenings, and holidays per program requirements. Typical schedule is Monday to Friday 8 AM to 5 PM.