Youth Housing Navigator-DCFS

JOB SUMMARY:

The DCFS Housing Navigator provides housing location, case management, and linkages to life skills counseling, income support services and other identified services. This position serves families and youth who have an open Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) case and are unhoused or experiencing housing instability.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work in partnership with clients to assess all barriers to safe, stable, and affordable housing.
• Locate housing options in the client’s community which meet their specific needs. This may include assistance applying for subsidized housing.
• Complete housing applications along with client, along with signing of rental lease agreements.
• Take clients to view housing options in the community. Assists clients in establishing a housing expenses budget.
• Assist clients with move-in plan and furnishings of unit.
• Provide education on tenant rights and responsibilities.
• Advocate for clients with housing authorities, landlords, employers, and other agencies or institutions.
• Provide follow-up services for the prescribed period to clients once housed; assist with mediating any potential housing problems.
• Link clients to available community resources including, but not limited to life skills training, counseling, and educational or vocational training and employment.
• Assist clients in applying for cash assistance through DCFS or other sources.
• Coordinate services with assigned DCFS Case Workers and Housing Advocacy liaisons.
• Meet with clients in the home and the community as required.
• Accurately track and document all services provided in the designated electronic record keeping portal.
• Attend internal and external staff meetings as assigned.
• Must successfully complete all training required by DCFS and participate in monthly training provided by Housing Forward
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Services or related field and 2 or more years’ Supportive Housing Case Management experience. Preference given to candidates with experience applying Homelessness and Supportive Housing concepts and experience applying Harm Reduction and Housing First philosophies.
• Valid driver’s license, with safe driving record and valid insurance.
• Must have smartphone to utilize Agency communication and collaboration tools.
• Must clear a criminal history check in accordance with CFS Personnel Guidelines for contractual staff including but not limited to: information from the Illinois State Police regarding any criminal record, fingerprinting, a check of the Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System (CANTS) via the SACWIS system, a check of the Illinois Sex Offender Registry, and other state child protection systems, as appropriate.

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Comfortable engaging individuals and families experiencing homelessness or who are unstably housed.
• Knowledge of the factors that cause homelessness.
• Knowledge of the child welfare system in general and of the Department of Children and Family Services in particular.
• Demonstrates experience and ability to interact sensitively and respectfully with persons with severe disabilities (mental health, substance use or other disabling condition) and homeless difficulties.
• Demonstrates strong skills in connecting with and engaging with adolescents and young adults.
• Demonstrates common sense, good judgment, and ability to work independently.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team approach model, taking individual responsibility and autonomy while also working well in roles leading and serving as part of a team.
• Active listening skills.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to provide efficient, quality service to both internal and external customers.
• Solid interpersonal skills along with the ability and willingness to respect and value the differences and perceptions of different groups/individuals.
• Adaptability/flexibility skills and ability to follow up with clients in a timely manner.
• Strong written, organizational, communication and presentation skills. Intermediate computer skills.
• Proficient use of desktop and laptop computers, Smart phones and tablets, printers, fax machines and photocopiers as well as software including word processing, spreadsheet and database programs.

The physical requirements 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 to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use stairs; reach with hands and arms balance, stoop, kneel or crouch.

Job descriptions are not intended and should not be construed to be all-inclusive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with a job. While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties from particular jobs and to assign other duties as necessary. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

HOUSING FORWARD is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, or disability.