Housing Locator

Job Description Job Description

YOUR IMPACT

Under the general supervision of the Shelter Operations Manager, the Agency's Housing Liaison will engage community landlords/ property owners as effective partners to assist clients in obtaining housing. This position will preserve and expand the quality and quantity of available affordable permanent housing options for people facing homelessness as well as increase opportunities for formerly homeless individuals and families to maintain housing by providing communication and mediation between owners/landlords, tenants/applicants, and social service agencies as needed to remove barriers to maintaining housing. Hard Copy and Digital Files, client records, data entry, data management and reporting will be closely monitored and maintained. This position is responsible for ensuring that outcomes and reporting required and promised to funders is completed in a timely basis. This position will monitor the progress of the program to ensure compliance. Position requires excellent customer services delivery when interacting with our clients as well as internal and external partners. Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is very helpful. Position requires an individual who can exercise excellent professionalism, compassion and maintain tight professional boundaries with all constituents.

While employees may be assigned a specific job site and shift, all final candidates must be able to work in all Shelter Service Location Sites (San Mateo, South San Francisco, Redwood City) and have the flexibility to work Day, Swing, Grave shifts as needed in a 24/7 Operation.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Please note our preferred and in some cases required qualifications for this position:

EDUCATION:

· Preferred 4 your college degree in social services, human services or related field

EXPERIENCE: Minimum 2 years of experience in the following:

· Direct Landlord Liaison / Housing locator work or related experience

· Experience working Property managers, landlords or real estate agents

· Experience working with vulnerable populations including homeless populations

· Experience with property leasing processes

· Preferred knowledge in public relations, sales and/or marketing

· Prior experience in housing location work, social services work, program development and homeless programming work.

· Previous experience with Public Relations, Sales, Marketing and/or Real Estate is helpful.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Bilingual and Bicultural English and Spanish not required but preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent Computer Proficiency: Experience with Microsoft Office Suite. Ability to quickly learn computer programs and applications. Knowledgeable with use of telecommunication applications as assigned- zoom, skype, FB Messenger etc.
• Excellent Customer Service skills.
• Strong ability to maintain confidentiality and maintain appropriate professional boundaries with all constituents.
• Excellent analytical skills, strong organizational and time management skills, strong and effective multitasking skills. Excellent accuracy and attention to detail is important as well as flexibility to meet the evolving needs of the department in a fast-paced work environment. Excellent documentation.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills. Must be able to work independently and collaboratively within teams.
• High level of ethics, integrity, compassion and transparency in all interactions and conducting of business.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise appropriate and sound judgment with tact and diplomacy both under normal and stressful situations.
• Excellent ability to deliver solutions-based approach to problem solving in a timely manner. Creative thinker with high energy, initiative and enthusiasm.
• Ability to effectively exercise conflict management skills.
• Positive and resilient attitude with ability to maintain grace under pressure. Contribute to a collegial and friendly working environment. Ability to function as a team player who promotes the concepts of collaborate work in all areas with a sense of humor and a cooperative spirit.
• Ability to meet deadlines and complete all work in a timely manner.
• Ability to follow and enforce Agency Policies and organize required activities according to Samaritan House policies, procedures and best practices which include any related driving and safety regulations, federal, state, or local agency requirement.
• Ability to work flexible schedules, including evenings, holidays and/or weekends as needed.
• Ability to independently travel to agency locations as needed- must have dependable transportation with insurance, and a clean driving record.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND BACKGROUND CHECK

Candidate must have the physical, visual, and auditory ability to perform the essential functions of the job and to respond to emergencies with or without reasonable accommodations. Reference checks and background checks will be performed prior to and at commencement of employment. Activities may include but are not limited to: repetitive hand/arm motion (computer work), extended periods of standing and/or sitting at a computer workstation, regular travel, occasional bending, pulling, pushing, reaching, lifting, and carrying up to 20 pounds. This position will require the usage of a mobile device or other assigned equipment, which will be provided. Position is on site with occasional travel to partner agencies as assigned. Traditional business schedule while program is developed. When program is launched schedule will require flexibility to meet with clients which includes some evenings as needed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB

1. Establish and maintain a network of professional contacts and working relationships in property management and the real estate industry while tapping into knowledge of federal, state and local housing subsidies to achieve goals.

2. Perform landlord/property owner outreach efforts including: meeting with various interested parties to discuss the advantages of participating in housing of individuals, youth and families experiencing homelessness; on-site visits at apartment complexes or property owner offices; provide public and private presentations, and attending meetings where interested parties may be present.

3. Maintain a Housing Directory, which should, at minimum, include documentation of all contacts with housing providers including corporation name (if applicable), name of contact, address, and phone, date of contact and results of contact.

4. Develop best practices manual on effective property owner recruitment in accordance with agency and best practice standards.

5. Provide housing availability to Samaritan House Case Workers & appropriate County Community Partners in an efficient and timely manner.

6. As needed, assist families referred by a Core Service Agency, shelter, or housing program who need help locating permanent housing. Such assistance may include accessing rental assistance money, donated furnishings, etc. within organizational guidelines.

7. As needed, develop and document trainings and workshops for clients and the organization's staff, including tenant rights and responsibilities, housing discrimination, communicating with landlords, and others.

8. As needed, provide housing counseling and budget training in partnership with the Financial Empowerment Specialist to help clients prepare for housing.

9. As needed, follow up with clients regarding their housing options.

10. As needed, work with Intake & Rapid-Rehousing staff to assist clients on the county waitlist to explore alternative housing options and overcome barriers to housing.

11. As needed, research housing topics, collect and organize housing information for clients, staff, and community partners.

12. Assure all relevant information pertaining to clients is communicated to all appropriate staff members in a timely fashion.

13. Monitor program to improve client care/evaluation and customer service.

14. Ensure that all clients are consistently and effectively case managed and treated with compassion, fairly, equitably - in a manner consistent with the Agency's values.

15. Operate all business with clients within appropriate professional boundaries.

16. Outreach to realtors, landlords, housing developers and other housing providers to identify new and existing housing opportunities and build a strong inventory of available housing options for clients

17. Network with collaborating entities including other like agencies, coalitions, and local community groups- ensure this is done while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

18. Remain well-informed of industry trends and policy changes; serve as a liaison with other housing placement organizations.

19. Ensure the accurate and timely collection of statistical data for all programmatic operations as well as its reporting of outcomes to development and all required funders.

20. Ensure all hard copy and digital files and documentation is accurately maintained in timely fashion.

21. Produce reports at various intervals as needed.

22. Ensure program supplies inventory and donations are used in designated program. Take necessary measures to prevent theft of supplies and donations. Report needs for donations to Development Department. Order /Purchase supplies as needed.

23. Participate in program budget planning by tracking expenses, evaluating costs, and considering ways to conserve on program costs.

24. All work/business to be performed with appropriate professional boundaries, excellent ethics/integrity and in good faith.

25. Function as a contributing member of the shelter team, the overall agency staff team and with volunteers and community agencies.

26. Flexible work schedule, early mornings, days, evenings, weekends and holidays may needed

27. Maintain accurate time sheets, paid time off requests, etc. -Submit all PTO requests for approval prior to time off. Excellent and Reliable attendance is required.

28. Attend any Samaritan House friend and fundraising events to promote the work of the department as needed.

29. Report all incidents or on the job injuries to Supervisor and Human Resources Director immediately or within 24 hours - whichever is sooner.

30. Participate in Agency meetings and trainings as directed. Represent Samaritan House professionally and successfully to any external contacts/constituents.

31.Perform other duties as directed.

Company Description For over 50 years, Samaritan House has been leading the fight against poverty in San Mateo County. We're the only organization that delivers the full breadth of essential services and personalized support to the working poor. By ensuring our clients are fed, clothed, healthy, and housed, we help them create their own stability and remain an active, successful part of our community. After all, an enduring community is only possible when every person has the resources they need to live.Company Description For over 50 years, Samaritan House has been leading the fight against poverty in San Mateo County. We're the only organization that delivers the full breadth of essential services and personalized support to the working poor. By ensuring our clients are fed, clothed, healthy, and housed, we help them create their own stability and remain an active, successful part of our community. After all, an enduring community is only possible when every person has the resources they need to live.

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