Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Salary:

Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness (WPHW) is growing, and we are excited to be adding new people to our team! If you value inclusivity, balance, and cultural centeredness and have a true passion for serving others, you may be a great fit for our team! WPHW is a non-profit organization that serves four federally recognized tribes located in five communities: the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Aroostook Band of Mi'kmaq, the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township, the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point, and the Penobscot Nation. Wabanaki traditions, language, and culture guide our approach and describe the ways we live in harmony with each other and the land we collectively share. Services are available to community members living on and off-reservation across the state of Maine.

Position Summary:

The purpose of this position is to help support indigenous families and individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness to obtain and maintain stable housing. The Housing Navigator will work closely with other staff and programs at Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness (WPHW) including Case Management, the Peer Center, Harm Reduction Services (HIV testing and syringe exchange), Child Welfare, the Tribal Opioid Response Program (including Recovery Residences), the Center for Wabanaki Healing and Recovery, and the Wabanaki Care Line to identify and support clients. The Housing Navigator will focus on the three main components of landlord engagement, pre-tenancy supports, and housing stability services and will participate in collaborative and committee conversations to improve housing systems and resources.

This position is grant funded through Maine Housing

Duties and Responsibilities:

Landlord Engagement:

Develop partnerships with landlords and property managers within Penobscot, Washington and Aroostook County to increase participant access to housing units. Activities include recruiting local landlords and negotiating with them to help participants access housing that is desirable and sustainable over time within the participant’s resources.

• Continually engages in the recruitment and retention of landlord partners and has methods of tracking unit vacancies, characteristics, and costs.
• Keeps up with information and training pertaining to housing identification, Housing Quality Standards (HQS), inspection standards, landlord/tenant rights and responsibilities and landlord engagement. (outreach to landlord/property management associations, etc.)
• Explains all incentives/benefits offered to landlords by rental assistance programs, including programs such as sign on incentives, unit repair and damage mitigation.
• Provides a quick response time to landlord calls about serious tenancy problems.
• Assists in resolving conflicts around lease requirements, complaints by other tenants and timely rent payments. 
• Negotiates move-out terms and assists the household in quickly locating another unit without an eviction. 

Pre-Tenancy Support:

Aid families in identifying their housing goals and barriers through the development of a Housing Stability Plan, working with the family on housing search and rental applications and helping them through the leasing process.

• Work with WPHW programs and local stakeholders to create a referral process for families that need assistance in obtaining housing.
• Use the coordinated Entry System to register eligible individuals.
• Help families use or obtain rental assistance vouchers.
• Connect families to any necessary community resources that help them resolve or navigate tenancy issues that landlords may screen for and obtain documentation such as ID required for housing applications.
• Assist participants in making an informed housing choice, developing housing goals that allow participants to understand the likelihood of being able to cover the rent and meet the requirements of the lease.
• Explain tenant rights and responsibilities and the requirements of lease agreements to participating families.
• Assist in completing rental applications and negotiations with landlords and ensures consistent communication between landlord and participant.
• Works collaboratively to plan and follow up with inspection staff, landlords and families when a physical inspection of the unit is required by a rental assistance program.
  

Housing Stability Services:

Assist participating families in overcoming any challenges that arise during the first year of tenancy and ensuring that families remain stably housed.

• Assist in the creation of Housing Stability Plans that focus on how participating families can maintain a lease and address barriers to housing retention.
• Make referrals to appropriate community/mainstream resources and follow up on receipt of assistance. This may include income supplements/benefits (TANF, SNAP, etc.), non-cash support (healthcare, food supports, etc.), legal assistance, credit counseling, and subsidized childcare.
• Work directly with the family and landlord to resolve tenancy issues – identifying a corrective course of action and keeping both parties informed on progress without breaking a family’s confidentiality.
• When necessary, help families avoid evictions before they happen, and work to maintain a positive relationship with the landlord.

Genral Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Work collaboratively with teams and resources.
• Maintain confidential information and offices.
• Document in organizations EHR. 
• Prepare and submit reports to stakeholders. 
• Attend Maine Housing meetings as required. 
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience Required:

• Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent (GED) – Bachelor’s degree, preferred.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience working in housing services and unhoused populations
• Experience working with tribal populations.
• Experience working with individuals in recovery.

Skills and Qualifications Required:

• Ability to work as part of a team, helping to facilitate a continuum of care.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong time management skills: ability to effectively manage workload to simultaneously meet short term and long-term plans and deadlines.
• Show initiative and be responsible for follow through.
• Enter skills and qualifications required.
• Valid Maine Driver's license required. 
  
• Must pass criminal background check.

Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

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