SNO Mass - Mobility Specialist

This is a non-exempt, full-time position.

ORGANIZATION:

Metro Housing Boston is a leading nonprofit dedicated to connecting the residents of Greater Boston with safe, decent homes they can afford. Metro Housing empowers families and individuals to move along the continuum from homelessness to housing stability. Serving more than 25,000 households annually, we work seamlessly to bridge the gaps among government, nonprofits, and corporations to continually increase our impact. With more than 30 years’ experience piloting and implementing housing programs, we have solidified our position as an industry-leading expert on navigating the affordable housing field.

MISSION:

“We mobilize wide-ranging resources to provide innovative and personalized services that lead families and individuals to housing stability, economic security and an improved quality of life.”

OVERVIEW:

SNO Mass is a housing mobility program that supports low-income families with Housing Choice Vouchers in moving to areas of higher opportunity – neighborhoods that offer strong schools, safe environments, and economic opportunities for residents. SNO Mass is designed to help reduce the barriers families often face in finding housing and moving to higher opportunity areas. SNO Mass services include mobility counseling and housing search support for households, financial assistance with security deposits and realtor fees, higher payment standards and enhanced support for landlords in qualifying areas, and post-move support for participating households.

REPORTS TO: Mobility Program Manager 

RESPONSIBILITIES MAY INCLUDE:

The statements below are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

• Provide motivational counseling to participants who are interested in using their voucher in high- opportunity communities;
• Research rental inventory in SNO Mass Communities and identify potential landlords;
• Schedule and conduct initial enrollment according to program procedures;
• Assess schooling needs of each child in the family and make attempts to refer families to an area where family’s needs are best met;
• Provide assistance with efforts of credit repair or rental history problems;
• Accompany participants in neighborhood/housing search upon request; 
• Make appropriate community based and in-house referrals for needed services to help remove barriers for a successful opportunity move;
• Provide families with detailed information about locational options in opportunity areas;
• Conduct independent housing searches to identify units for participants;
• Communicate with property owners to explain program requirements, conduct landlord briefings, and use other methods to encourage participation in the program;
• Communicate with property owners and participants to help mediate complaints;
• Assist families with needed transitions after their move, including help in locating schools, childcare, employment, medical services, and community activities;
• Communicate and coordinate with staff from multiple departments to achieve program goals;
• Assist in staff training;
• Maintain required records of counseling services and other client contact provided by documenting with case note entries into ETO and CMS;
• Work with our Leased Housing Dept to collect paperwork for voucher recertification;
• Lead workshops and trainings on topics such as credit repair and budgeting, landlord/tenant relations, housing search, and home maintenance; and
• Travel is required and mileage is reimbursed. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or 5 years in case management and housing experience;
• 2 years’ experience in social services/case management required, subsidized housing programs; and fair housing preferred, with additional experience in real estate a plus;
• Counseling and assessment skills preferred;
• Knowledge of the following databases bases a plus: ETO, CMS, Tenmast;
• Valid Massachusetts drivers’ license;
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal;
• Proficiency in a second language shared by Metro Housing Boston families preferred;
• Proficiency in PC-based computer software; and
• Support for the SNO Mass program’s mission and goals. 

Most benefits are available on your first day of work with Metro Housing | Boston. These benefits currently include:

Your and your family’s health

• Health and dental coverage on a pre-tax basis;
• Eye Med Vision plan on a pre-tax basis;
• Medical and dependent care reimbursement account;
• Company paid life and AD&D insurance and long-term disability;
• Free, confidential Employee Assistance Program;
• Voluntary life, accident, critical illness and cancer insurance.

Work/life balance

• Generous vacation, sick, and personal time;
• 13 paid holidays per year;
• Paid new parent leave;
• Flexible schedules (when available).

Retirement plan

• 403(b) plan with a company match.

Career growth

• Tuition reimbursement program;
• Internal promotions encouraged.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER