What are the responsibilities and job description for the Supportive Housing and Retention Advocate position at Native American Youth And Family Center?
Description
NAYA Family Center seeks a dedicated and caring social services professional to serve as our Supportive Housing and Retention Advocate. The Supportive Housing and Retention Advocate will support 10 families experiencing homelessness to obtain Regional Long Term Housing (RLRA) vouchers, i.e. rent assistance, and to access other resources. This is an important role that works directly to address homelessness in Portland.
NAYA offers an exceptional benefits package, including free medical, dental and vision insurance for employees (and affordable care for family members), 401(k) retirement plan with 6% match, paid vacation and paid holidays.
This is a full-time role with work hours of 9 am to 6 pm with a one hour unpaid lunch. This is a direct service position, spending 40% of work hours interacting with clients. After successful onboarding, you may work from home up to two days per week. This role reports to Erika Silver, Director of Housing and Stabilization Services.
Starting pay is $26/hour, which is equivalent to $54,080/year.
Who You Are
- You are a social services professional who has worked with people who have trauma history and complex needs. You have used trauma-informed care, non-violent communication, and conflict resolution at work.
- Ideally, you have two years of experience working with homeless people or families.
- Ideally, you have experience using the Assertive Engagement and Housing First models.
- You have work or lived experience in the Native community, or you have a commitment to learn Native history and the unique strengths and challenges of Urban Natives.
- You are a calming presence. You are able to stay composed and exercise good judgement in stressful situatons.
- You have experience utilizing a case management database. You know how to document notes and you do so in a timely fashion each day. You don’t procrastinate entering your notes.
- You have superb follow up. You have good personal systems to make sure you don’t forget to follow up with clients or with your teammates.
- It comes naturally to you to have a warm, respectful and professional tone in your written and in person communication.
- You prefer a team environment at work, rather than working alone. You don’t hesitate to roll up your sleeves and pitch in, even when it’s not your job.
- You have your own car and a valid Oregon or Washington driver’s license with no more than one major violation in the last three years, so that you can be covered under NAYA’s liability insurance. You don’t mind using your personal vehicle for work purposes (mileage reimbursed).
What You’ll Do
- Spend approximately 40% of your time in direct contact or service to homeless clients, helping them to access RLRA vouchers.
- Assist with all aspects of permanent housing placement including rental screening barrier reduction,
- documentation readiness, search, application, landlord advocacy, move-in support, securing furnishings,
- setting up utilities, and other housing stabilization activities.
- Provide supportive services to families to promote housing retention, including options to increase income.
- Develop positive relationships with property managers. Be responsive to property managers if concerns arise to support clients in avoiding eviction. Follow up with property managers to determine outcome of interventions.
- Be an expert on the resources in the community and make supportive referrals.
- Assist families in enrolling children in the school that most closely meets their needs.
- Support clients in connecting with their culture and traditions as a part of a helpful path forward.
- Provide ongoing assessment of risk of harm for each individual and respond appropriately.
- Maintain confidentiality and practice discretion and respect when discussing client information.
- Complete daily data entry and maintain case files in accordance with program procedures.
Read the full job description .
Questions? Want to chat about this role before you decide to apply? Contact Erika Silver, Housing and Stabilization Services Director, or Michelle Valintis, NAYA Recruiter.
Salary : $54,080