Housing Specialist

Title: Housing Specialist - HS007

Location: RiverHouse - 211 SE Caruthers Street is in Portland, Oregon, 97214

Schedule: Mon-Fri 9-5

Wage Range: $ $34.00 non-exempt, hourly

If you are a motivated and dedicated Housing Specialist looking for an opportunity to contribute to an organization making a positive impact, we want to hear from you

At NARA Northwest, you'll find a supportive work environment where every team member is valued and respected. Whether you're passionate about healthcare, behavioral health, education, or social services, there's a place for you to make a meaningful difference.

Company Mission:

The mission of NARA NW is to provide education, physical, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment that is culturally appropriate to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and anyone in need.

About the Company:

At NARA NW, we deliver services and support to Native American and Alaska Native communities, helping individuals lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

With over 450 employees across a variety of programs—including medical and dental care, addiction treatment, housing assistance, and enrichment initiatives NARA NW offers numerous opportunities for growth and advancement, all while making a tangible, positive impact on the lives of others.

Position Overview:

The QMHP VASH Continuum Supportive Housing Specialist works independently and collaboratively with multiple NARA teams to provide community and home-based housing support services for Veterans, and their families, who are chronically homeless and whose health, mental health, and socioeconomic issues prevent them from accessing housing. Services are focused around supporting the individual and/or family to stabilize their housing, end their experience with homelessness, and improve their health and move forward in their recovery.

What you will do:

• Complete outreach, screening and referral processes to determine eligibility for VASH Continuum housing services.
• Assist VASH Continuum program participants through the housing process, including identifying apartments to apply to, addressing possible barriers to housing approval, accessing funding for move in costs, and obtaining furnishings for their home.
• Complete program specific initial and annual paperwork with participants to assist with housing stability.
• Develop positive relationships with VASH collaborative partners, external providers, and property managers.
• Be responsive to property managers as concerns arise in order to support participants to successfully maintain their housing and prevent eviction. Follow up with property managers to determine outcome of any needed interventions.
• Work in close coordination with other providers/ support systems to address the needs of participants. Includes initiating clinical consults, assuring coordination of treatment planning and ongoing support services.
• Provide home and community based engagement services to participants utilizing strengths-based case management while embracing the philosophy of Motivational Interviewing and Housing First. Utilize assertive engagement techniques to meet participants where they are willing to participate and coach participants in setting goals and identifying realistic steps to achieve them.
• Consistently use strong clinical and professional judgment while providing services; including taking appropriate safety precautions while transporting participants and providing services to participants in the community/homes.
• Demonstrate responsibility for safety of participants and property. Must be familiar with fire and building regulations and evacuation procedures.
• Provide ongoing assessment of needs and risk of harm for each individual and respond appropriately.
• Provide outreach services as needed to maintain effective engagement in services.
• Complete housing-related treatment plans, progress notes, discharge summaries and other documentation as required.
• Meet regularly with clinical supervisor for supervision and seek supervision, as needed.
• Actively participate in multi-disciplinary team meetings and consultations.
• Collect information on participant demographics and program outcome activities.
• Participate in quality assurance activities including chart reviews.
• Attend and provide relevant training as assigned.
• Participate in providing educational opportunities that promote an understanding and acceptance of culturally relevant health services for the Native American and Alaskan Native community and for service providers.

We would like to hear from people that have:

• QMHP with a master's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or other related field.
• CADC or equivalent highly desirable.
• Professional experience working with individuals experiencing chronic homelessness or experiencing severe and persistent mental illness.
• Knowledge of housing resources and programs.
• Knowledge and understanding of recovery-based, holistic approaches to addressing behavioral health needs.
• Knowledge and skill in working in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment.
• Experience working within the Native American/Alaska Native community is considered a plus.
• Ability to engage and interact positively with individuals to promote strengths and improve health and well being.
• Excellent communication skills and initiative to effectively coordinate care.
• Ability to work collaboratively with clients, other NARA staff, and team members, and to treat everyone with respect and dignity at all times.
• Must have valid driver's license and personal vehicle.
• If in recovery, must have a minimum of two years sobriety/clean time.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment or for cause drug tests.
• Ability to pass criminal background and DMV checks.
• Must be able to pass a CRIMS finger printing and background check.

What's in it for you?

14 Paid Holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Battle of Little Big Horn, Independence Day, Labor Day, Native American Day, Indigenous Peoples' Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, day after Thanksgiving, and December 25th

Benefits: Employees working 20 hours, or more are eligible for benefits. Benefits are effective from the 1st of the month following the date of hire.

• Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance through Kaiser Permanente
• 14 Paid Holidays (Listed Above)
• 13 Paid Days of Sick Time
• 13 Paid Days of PTO (Vacation accruals increase with years of service to a maximum of 26 days)
• $50,000 Life Insurance & AD&D
• Short Term and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Spending Account
• 401(k) with 4% Match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Inclement Weather Days (Snow Days)
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness -NARA NW is a local 501(c)3 nonprofit, FQHC

How to apply:

• To Quick Apply, go to Careers – NARA NW )
• Look for the position you want to apply for and submit a resume (Required) and cover letter (Optional), that's all
• Feel free to contact if you have any questions or would like to know where your application is in the process.

NARA NW Mission: Our mission is to provide education, physical and mental health services and substance abuse treatment that is culturally appropriate to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and everyone in need.

NARA NW is fully committed to supporting sobriety. To support NARA NW in its mission, all employees agree to refrain from illicit drug use, marijuana use, and prescription drug abuse, both on and off the job. In addition, all employees agree to model alcohol sobriety. Modeling alcohol sobriety means not consuming, discussing, or promoting the use of alcohol, on the job, on social media and when in the community where the employee would be likely to be seen by NARA NW clients or community. If in recovery, employees must have been sober/clean for a length of time sufficient to demonstrate that they will be able to remain sober.

Consistent with NARA NW's sobriety policy, all employees, volunteers, interns, and contractors, as applicable, are required to sign a "Drug-Free/Alcohol-Free Workplace Certification Form" and NARA NW "Modeling Sobriety Policy Form" as a condition of employment to confirm that they are aware of this policy and that they agree to comply with it. Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. This policy is subject to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and its state counterpart

Preference in hiring is given to qualified Native Americans in accordance with the Indian Preference Act (Title 25, US Code, Sections 472 and 473). NARA Northwest is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Within the scope of Indian Preference, all candidates will receive equal consideration. Experience working with Native American/ Alaska Native community is considered a plus.

This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position's activities and requirements, the agency reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties, as necessary.