Victim Services Housing Navigator

POSITION: Victim Services Housing Navigator

LOCATION:  Providence and Woonsocket, RI

SCHEDULE: Full-time 37.50 worked hours per week.

COMPENSATION:  $25 per hour. This position is eligible for full benefits, including health insurance, dental insurance, a 401(k) plan and employer match, employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance, and paid time off (including sick, vacation, personal, and 15 holidays).

ABOUT US:  Sojourner House is a comprehensive victim services agency that provides crisis intervention services, shelter, transitional housing, permanent housing, clinical counseling, immigration advocacy, community-based programs, education prevention programming, a growing housing development program, and other supportive services to individuals and families impacted by abuse.  We have offices in Providence and Woonsocket, and programs that operate statewide. Our goal is to help our clients rebuild their lives, piece by piece, through a variety of services. All of our programs work from the premise that violence is an unacceptable means of solving interpersonal conflict, and we encourage only non-violent methods of working out conflicts. Our mission is to promote healthy relationships by providing culturally sensitive support, advocacy, housing, and education for victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking; and to effect systems change.  Our organizational values are rooted in commitment, innovation, trust, and empowerment.  The agency has grown from a small, grassroots organization into a robust statewide agency with close to 70 full-time employees across multiple locations and an annual budget that is approaching $12 million.  To learn more about our work, please visit www.sojournerri.org. We are also active on social media at @sojournerri.

POSITION OVERVIEW:   Responsibilities of the Victim Services Housing Navigator (“Housing Navigator)” include researching and identifying available affordable housing options and establishing strong relationships with potential landlords, housing authorities and management companies. Assist with resolving housing issues for tenants in Sojourner House owned properties  as well as landlords we partner with.  In addition, the Housing Navigator will assist with the following tasks for Sojourner House owned properties:  move-in, lease up, tracking of rent payments, inspections and resolving housing issues with tenants. As needed, the Housing Navigator will assist housing leadership with Medicaid Home Stabilization prior authorizations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Research and locate area landlords for properties and leasing opportunities of units for predominantly Permanent Supportive Housing and Bridge Rapid Rehousing programs .
• Meet with landlords, obtain documentation as needed, complete inspection of units.  Obtain lease, keys and contact information for units.
• Work with landlords and Operations staff to follow up on issues with rental payments, delinquencies, maintenance and renewals for units.
• Complete Move-In process – application processing, lease preparation, renters education.  Assist with the location of donated furniture and household items as needed.
• Complete new client intake paperwork and annual recertifications as necessary.
• Conduct routine property inspections in accordance with appropriate funding requirements, lease-ups, ensure the landlord is receiving rent payments from both client and Sojourner House, and address program non-compliance issues and evictions as required by Fair Housing standards.
• Conduct quarterly file reviews for rental assistance compliance.
• Communicate with housing advocates and landlords to navigate client crisis situations for continuity of care.
• Work with Housing Leadership to track and submit Medicaid Housing Stabilization prior authorizations as needed.
• Attend, prepare and actively participate in all Sojourner House required training and/or staff meetings within the building or other training facility. This may include an assignment, preparing an agenda or engaging in problem solving and procedures.
• Monitor and implement housing policies, and ensure that residents follow these rules and procedures by creating an environment of trust and community.
• Complete data entry and submit necessary reports as required for grant compliance.
• Stay abreast of RI community housing issues by building and maintaining relationships with housing and social service agencies throughout the state.
• Support Sojourner House’s philosophy of client empowerment and respect for individual choices.
• Perform other duties as requested by the supervisor and/or the Sojourner House management team.

EDUCATION:

A bachelor’s degree in human or social services or a related field is preferred; equivalent work experience will be considered.

 EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

• Familiarity working with domestic violence and/or gender issues is a plus
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency in Spanish is preferred, but not required
• Acute attention to detail
• Proficiency with Google Workspace and/or Microsoft office and good internet search skills
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills; able to manage priorities and workflow
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions
• Ability to deal effectively with a diversity of individuals at all organizational levels
• Good judgment with the ability to make timely and sound decisions
• Ability to work independently and as a member of various teams and committees
• Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work within constantly changing priorities
• Valid drivers license and a reliable vehicle is required in order to facilitate traveling to properties and between agency locations
• Applicant must pass a background check prior to starting work, if offered the position

Physical Demands:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made as necessary.

• Regularly required to stand; sit; walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands; and talk or hear
• The employee must be able to carry objects weighing 10 – 25 pounds occasionally
• Frequently required to walk and climb several sets of stairs
• Must be able to drive; frequent travel to other locations such as potential rental units within the community and local region
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and the environment is sometimes chaotic

TO APPLY:

Please forward a resume, 2-3 professional references, and a cover letter that details how you meet the requirements of the job by email, with the subject line “Housing Navigator,” to resumes@sojournerri.org. Applications may also be made via mail by sending the materials to Sojourner House, Attn HR/Housing Navigator, PO Box 28302, Providence, RI 02908. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submissions are encouraged. 

Sojourner House is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. To learn more about Sojourner House, please visit www.sojournerri.org.