The Housing Authority of the County of Kern is looking for a Housing Navigator
NOTICE OF POSITION VACANCY OPEN AND PROMOTIONAL
Housing Navigator
Kern County, CA
$21.8890 – $26.7219 per hour + benefits
Apply online at www.kernha.org. Attach a resume and copies of pertinent trainings or certifications, if any.
SUMMARY
Under general supervision provides housing transition and retention services to homeless persons or persons at-risk of homelessness; coordinates, provides access to and monitors the appropriate delivery of such services.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned Informs clients about availability of services and assists in the application process.
Interviews applicants requesting housing and supportive services from the Whole Person Care Program; obtains information to verify eligibility; qualifies applicants for the program by verifying eligibility factors, completes intake records and develops and implements service plans.
Computes income and rent and determines and verifies all necessary facts concerned with eligibility for subsidies and rental assistance.
Completes the necessary records and verification forms for each applicant and contract employers and public and private health and welfare agencies to verify applicant information.
Provides case management services. Acts as advocate on clients’ behalf with outside agencies assuring positive outcomes from services provided.
Assists with housing applications and processes applications for subsidized housing. Assists directly in the search process for suitable housing.
Negotiates contract rents with property owners, assigns contract numbers, prepares Housing Assistance Payments contract and amendments as required and obtains
necessary signatures. Calculates payments to owners including proration of HAP subsidy and abatement.
Provides general assistance and advocacy related to supportive and social services.
Provides up-to-date information and clarification regarding supportive service programs. Advocates for and links clients to community services.
Conducts housing assessments and develops individualized housing supportive plans.
Conducts housing inspections and related paperwork as required. Ensures that the living environment is safe and ready for move-in. Identifies and secures resources to cover allowable move-in expenses. Assists in the move by identifying moving resources.
Promotes a positive social climate that fosters clients’ psychosocial well-being by developing, implementing and monitoring appropriate services for participants. Provides early identification and intervention for behaviors that may jeopardize housing and continuance in the program.
Helps maintain good relations with public, participants and owners on behalf of the Housing Authority. Develops crisis plans that includes prevention and early intervention services when housing is jeopardized. Assists in resolving disputes with landlord and/or neighbors.
Makes home visits to determine housekeeping habits, verify housing condition, and establish housing need.
Conducts initial, annual, interim and special housing reviews and processes rent changes resulting from recertification or other changes.
Organizes and coordinates special functions, meetings and trainings. May provide tenant transportation as required.
Provides continual training on being a good tenant, educating clients on the role, rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords. Coaches on developing and maintaining key relationships with landlords/property managers. Assists in resolving disputes with landlords and/or neighbors.
Interfaces, through public speaking engagements and other means, with a variety of other agencies and the public relating to the access, maintenance and expansion of the Whole Person Care Program.
Provides training to clients on available services, clients rights, lease obligations and occupancy policies.
Maintains database of client files and profiles. Keeps records of active and inactive applications.
Prepares and submits all pertinent statistical and other forms and reports required as part of the program entering necessary data into Yardi and Plexis Plus Programs.
Responds promptly and according to Housing Authority policy to requests for information and assistance.
Works cooperatively with others, including co-workers, clients and service providers.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
May supervise clerical, temporary and trainee personnel.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Any combination of education or training equivalent to a four-year degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, social services or related field. Relevant experience coordinating services to low income households may be substituted for the education requirement on a year for year basis.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of clients, the general public and employees of the Agency.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent.
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
Must possess a current California Driver License and be insurable by the Housing Authority’s insurance carrier.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands 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.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to work at a desk, move from housing unit to housing unit, including by elevator and stairs, communicate in person and by telephone with residents, the general public and coworkers, drive an automobile for the purpose of transporting residents and traveling from one development site to another. The employee must be able to use computer equipment for the purpose of inputting and retrieving data and preparing reports and correspondence. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
BENEFITS
This is a regular full-time position and, as such, the employee selected for it will be entitled to all benefits afforded regular employees of the Housing Authority – including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; CalPERS retirement (employer match); sick leave; vacation and holiday pay.
SALARY PLAN
Each class or position in the Housing Authority is assigned a salary range with five steps or rates of pay. Newly hired employees begin on the first step of the appropriate salary range.
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS
- Valid California driver license. Employee selected must be insurable by the agency insurance carrier. The Housing Authority will review driving records of candidates selected post offer.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing in English is a requirement and may be subject to testing.
- Applications will be screened for qualification fulfillment prior to interviewing. Please complete your application forms accurately, thoroughly and neatly. During the screening process, no assumptions will be made as to the quality, quantity or
suitability of an applicant’s previous experience. References will be verified post- interview.
4. ADA/Testing Accommodations: If you have a disability that requires accommodation for the examination process, you are required to notify the Personnel Director by the filing deadline.
APPLICATION
Candidates must be specific and complete in describing their qualifications for this position. Please attach resume, copies of typing certificate (if applicable) and any other certifications to your application. Based upon information presented on applications, a limited number of candidates with qualifications most applicable to this position will be scheduled for an interview appointment. Failure to state all pertinent qualifications may lead to elimination from competition.
In the event that we determine there are an insufficient number of qualified candidates in the applicant pool, the Housing Authority reserves the right to defer interviews to another time.
The Housing Authority of the County of Kern does not discriminate on the basis of handicap in admission or access to or treatment or employment in its federally assisted program activities.
Applications will be accepted at the Housing Authority official website at:
www.kernha.org Opened Until Filled
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY OF KERN IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
