Job Description
PAY: $19.71 per hour
SUMMARY The Coming Home program employs the Housing First approach to house and provide supportive services to those experiencing chronic homelessness. Honoring the inherent dignity of those the program serves, Coming Home affirms client capabilities and encourages self-sufficiency, giving hope that a better life is possible.
As a Housing Navigator, you will leverage your passion for public service to deliver case management and housing navigation services that help clients secure affordable, safe housing in vibrant neighborhoods throughout Amarillo. The Housing Navigator provides direct support to clients and collaborates closely with Community Development Program Coordinators, landlords, and community service providers to expand permanent housing opportunities for low-income and homeless individuals and families. Key responsibilities include orienting eligible participants to the program and delivering housing search support along with comprehensive case management services. These services are designed to promote client self-sufficiency, integration into the community, and long-term housing stability. The role involves both office-based work and fieldwork within the community, including home visits and landlord engagement.
NOTE: Employees in the Community Development Department and their family members are prohibited from participating in or receiving benefit from the City of Amarillo's programs funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and other state and federally funded programs and grants.
The position is grant funded and renewal is contingent upon the availability of funds. Grant funded positions are typically limited in term. The end date of the grant does not guarantee employment for the duration of the grant. You may be eligible to apply/transfer to an existing vacancy that is equivalent to the grant funded position if an equivalent position is available.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES - Responsible for providing support to homeless individuals in the following areas: housing focused case management, housing readiness, accessing housing assistance programs, completing housing applications, advocacy, housing search and placement, etc.
- Develop and manage comprehensive outreach/working relationship with housing stakeholders (landlords, program managers, homeless services, etc.).
- Attends and participates in clinical and administrative meetings as deemed appropriate and necessary for the job.
- Assist participants in locating and securing housing of their choice.
- Coordinate and provide transportation for participants to housing appointments (Unit viewings, Housing Authority Interviews, etc.). Transports clients using a COA vehicle.
- Assists regularly with client moves, including access to move-in resources as available (furniture, deposit assistance, etc.), along with assembly, pickup, delivery, and set-up of household items.
- Create and maintain consistent communication channels, both verbal and written, between several parties (i.e., tenant, landlord, referral source, collaborating agencies, debtors, and creditors).
- Apply knowledge of residential lease agreements to educate clients of their tenant rights and responsibilities.
- Provide mediation and advocacy with landlords on the client's behalf to develop a workable plan to obtain and/or maintain housing.
- Complete an intake with clients to assess housing barriers of individuals and families experiencing homelessness to determine housing readiness and service needs.
- Complete Housing Stability Plan with participants to establish a strength-based/solution-focused individualized goal and action plan that promotes permanent housing and self-sufficiency.
- Design, implement, and evaluate a program of life skills and client support workshops and one-on-one mentoring trainings to ensure long-term tenancy success; Serve as a resource and trainer to agency staff for long-term housing success.
- Develop an effective, timely referral network to provide information to clients regarding available support from appropriate social service agencies and/or community programs.
- Maintain accurate daily logs, records, monthly outcome reports, and files for each client. Collect and report program data, including but not limited to HMIS reporting and other reporting required by funders.
- Follow-up with each participant on a regular basis to ensure they are making progress towards their goals.
- Assist in development of and encourage adherence to a personal budget through pro-active housing and budget counseling sessions; provide budget counseling and education to assist clients in establishing payment plans for bills and past debts and to assist clients in obtaining and maintaining their housing.
- Coordinate the housing navigation intake process (phone, email, in-person). Maintain internal filing system, internal department routing of applications, and follow up with involved parties.
- Works with other community service providers to enhance the clinical and supportive housing services.
- Performs biopsychosocial assessments, partners with clients to create client centered goals, records all progress notes in chart.
- Assists with the connection to mainstream resources including healthcare, mental healthcare, benefits, substance use rehabilitation and treatment, etc.
- Advocates for the needs of individual clients as well as for systemic change, whenever needed, for the overall benefit of homeless individuals.
- Works to cultivate a culture of support and community within the Coming Home team and the Community Development department.
- Participates in daily team meetings to coordinate activities with other team members, programs, supervisor, and the Program Coordinator.
- Assists others with work that needs to be completed in moments of urgency or crisis.
- Must carry a company cell phone and be accessible when in the field to the program clients, community partners, supervisor, and Program Coordinator.
- Performs other job- and department-related duties as assigned.
M I NIMUM REQUIREMENTS A Bachelor's degree in Social Work or a related field is required. A combination of education and field experience may be considered in lieu of a degree. Must have a valid Texas driver's license.
PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS A Master's degree in Social Work or a related field is preferred. Two years of experience with homeless population or two years in a related direct human service field working with underserved populations is preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES - Must demonstrate ability to work effectively with a diverse array of co-workers, citizens, investment and property owners, and community groups.
- Ability to operate small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems.
- Ability to efficiently operate a computer both in the field and in the office for data entry, email correspondence, and other daily record keeping as required.
- Must have strong verbal and written communication skills. Must possess basic grammar and spelling skills.
- Must be comfortable working outside of the office, within the community.
- May require after-hour work to attend meetings, assist clients, finish projects, and meet deadlines.
- Will be required to drive a City of Amarillo vehicle.
- Will work Monday-Friday, 8am to 5pm.
ADA PROFILE Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is required to exert 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. The employee is also required to balance, crouch, feel, finger, handle, lift, pull, push, reach, speak, stand, stoop, talk, see, and walk. Also requires the ability to make rational decisions and perform repetitive motions. Requires the ability to complete job functions both indoors and outdoors year-round.
WORK ENVIRONMENT Will work Monday-Friday, 8am to 5pm. May require occasional after-hour work to attend meetings, finish projects, and meet deadlines.
Employee must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health of self or others. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The City of Amarillo is an Equal Opportunity employer and encourages applications from eligible and qualified persons regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability, genetic information or protected veteran status, in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law.
The City of Amarillo provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case by case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact the Human Resources Office at 806-378-4294. City of Amarillo Texas
Job Tags
Hourly pay, Permanent employment, Casual work, Work at office, Local area, Remote work, Monday to Friday,