Homelessness Prevention Navigator – Bilingual Spanish
Work Location
Partially Remote
Department
Dispute Resolution Services - Skagit County
Type of Job
Full Time/Hourly
Assigned Office
117 N 1st St, Mt Vernon, WA 98273
Posting Date
Overview
The primary goal of the rental assistance program is to address certain needs in the community resulting from the coronavirus pandemic and to prevent evictions by paying past due, current and future rent to landlords for eligible participants. The Navigator will act as a neutral third party and provide coaching and conflict resolution services to assist clients in resolving conflicts that maybe be endangering current or future housing.
Principal Activities
o Accept referrals of clients from 211, Community Service Providers, and Landlords.
o Determine client eligibility for rental assistance according to contract requirements and target resources to people most likely to become homeless after eviction.
o Contact referred clients and assist them by identifying their needs in stabilizing housing.
o Model problem-solving for clients.
o Use conflict resolution skills to gather information from client and landlord to determine amount owed, how it will be paid and to conciliate to maintain or obtain housing.
o Make referrals to a customized array of services available in the community.
o Maintain strict confidentiality of client information in conformance with related policies and procedures.
o Collect all data needed for payments to landlords.
o Maintain eligibility documentation for each household assisted.
o Participate in navigator meetings and other DRC meetings as requested by supervisor.
o Completing monthly reports for client services and expenditures
o Perform related duties as assigned.
Requirements
o Bachelor’s degree in conflict resolution, social work, psychology, communications, or social services preferred. Appropriate experiences and skills also considered.
o Verbal and written proficiency in both English and Spanish required.
o Demonstrated conflict resolution, communication and negotiation skills.
o Ability to stay neutral and unbiased when conciliating and working with parties.
o Comfortable helping others in high stress, pressure, and conflict situations.
o Commitment and ability to engage in an empathetic, non-judgmental way with people in crisis situations.
o Cultural competency.
o Strong verbal and written communication skills.
o Demonstrated sensitivity to the needs of clients experiencing housing instability and at risk of homelessness.
o Strong attention to detail and data integrity.
o Ability to prioritize and work independently/remotely, and in the office as needed.
o Knowledge of human services in Skagit County preferred but not required.
o Computer literacy, and high proficiency in MS Office programs, especially Excel.
o Highly developed interpersonal skills with the ability to work cooperatively with staff, landlords and program participants.
Benefits
UP TO 200 PAID TIME OFF HOURS PER YEAR
MEDICAL, VISION & DENTAL BENEFITS
LIFE INSURANCE
403(B) RETIREMENT
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM and more….