Housing Specialist I - Homeless Services

MISSION STATEMENT : To be a beacon of light by transforming lives in the Vincentian spirit of charity, justice, and mercy through interpersonal connectivity.

SUMMARY : The Housing Specialist I shall provide direct services to enable eligible clients to locate affordable, safe and sanitary housing.

The Housing Specialist will network with property owners, managers of housing units, and maintain a list of landlords that can readily assist our veterans.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES : (These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed.

Employees will be required to perform other job-related duties as required. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at this time).

• Responsible for identifying and engaging landlords through a variety of methods in order to develop sufficient affordable housing stock for Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) program
• Assists eligible families in locating and renting suitable housing; computing and preparing financing arrangements and monitoring owner / tenant compliance with standards
• Maintain linkage between Agency, landlord and client
• Develop and maintain (i.e., update) a database / listing of available housing stock for clients
• Responsible for coordinating and / or performing Housing Inspections
• Makes referrals to agencies and departments for the resolution of applicant housing issues
• Investigates tenant and owner complaints and conducts follow-up visits
• Makes appropriate referrals for assistance when client’s needs cannot be met
• Maintains required client, legal and administrative record and statistical data as required by St. Vincent de Paul CARES and program funders including use of HMIS
• Responsible for collecting all necessary documentation for client files
• Networks and collaborates with other agencies and represents the agency at community functions, which may include public speaking and presentations as directed by Program Manager
• All other duties as assigned
• Demonstrates a commitment to serve all people with respect and compassion
• Works in a spirit of cooperation with all external and internal stakeholders
• Will make a Commitment to Serve all people with Respect, Compassion, and Cooperation

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Comply with all applicable training requirements
• Comply with all company safety, personnel and operational policies and procedures
• Comply with work schedule to ensure effective operations of Agency programs
• Contributes positively as a member of a productive and cooperative team
• Performs other duties as necessary to fulfill the St. Vincent de Paul CARES Mission.

Employee Benefits :

• 95% Employer paid Employee only coverage (zero ded, $10 co pay plan)
• 10k Employer paid Basic Life insurance
• 120 hrs PTO accrued biweekly starting at day 1 of employment
• 13 Paid Holidays to include Employee’s birthday and Date of Hire
• We also have various retention and referral bonuses
• 2 weeks paid training to include DEI initiatives
• Flexible schedules in most positions
• 3% Employer match after 6 months
• We also offer Dental, Vision, Life, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital, ID Shield, Legal Shield, Additional Life, FSA Medical, and FSA Dependent Care

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES : (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 necessary.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.)

• Able to speak, write and understand English
• Possess basic computer skills
• Must be sensitive to and respect cultural diversity amongst clients, staff and volunteers and able to work with diverse racial, ethnic and economic groups
• Flexible work schedule including evenings, nights, weekends and holidays
• Ability to set appropriate limits, work under deadlines and multi-task
• Ability to organize, prioritize, self-motivate, and deliver results
• Excellent communication and listening skills
• Possess strong work ethics
• Successfully pass Law Enforcement background screening
• Valid Florida driver’s license if driving an agency vehicle or a personal vehicle for company business
• Must have reliable transportation
• Participate in Agency Performance Quality Improvement (PQI) program and Accreditation / Reaccreditation process
• Mission-driven attitude supplemented with integrity and passion
• Adherence to the highest ethical standards, personally and professionally
• A high level of openness and willingness to receive feedback / suggestions from superiors and others, and to learn new skills to improve job performance
• Evidence of deep alignment with the St. Vincent de Paul CARES Mission and Values.

ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES : (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 necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.)

• Knowledge of Business English, spelling and punctuation
• Knowledge of office practices and procedures
• Knowledge of general math pertaining to percentages, allocations and discounts
• Computer skills using current software
• Strong oral and written communications
• Sensitivity to the cultural diversity of clients in order to successfully work with diverse racial, ethnic, and economic groups
• Ability to work as a team member and establish effective working relationships with staff, supervisor and outside organizations
• Commitment to empowering others to solve their own problems
• Demonstrate a commitment to serve all people with respect and compassion
• Valuing a nurturing family as the ideal environment for a person
• A conviction about the capacity of people to grow and change
• The ability to establish a respectful relationship with persons served to help them, gain skills and confidence
• Ability to work collaboratively with other personnel and / or service providers or professionals
• The capacity to maintain a helping role and to intervene appropriately to meet service goals
• Ability to work under deadlines, multi-task and set appropriate limits
• Respects diversity of all clients, staff, and volunteers

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE : (Pending on position and if prior to hire is approved by Chief Executive Officer, a comparable amount of training, education or experience may be substituted for the minimum education qualifications).

• This position requires a minimum a bachelor’s degree in social work or related field
• Minimum 2-years’ experience serving homeless or at-risk families and / or individuals in crisis

GENERAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS : These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

Reasonable accommodation can be made, if appropriate, to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of job.

Working in an office / site requires prolonged sitting at the computer workstation; standing, bending, reaching, lifting up to 20 lbs.

and some driving. Requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate standard office machines such as computers, fax machines, calculators, telephones, and other office equipment.

It is also required to regularly sit, speak, and listen, the employee is also required to walk, use hands and fingers to type, operate equipment, and maintain records and notes.

Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

MENTAL DEMANDS : Must handle new and diverse work problems on a daily basis. Personal maturity is an important attribute.

Must be able to resolve problems, handle conflict, and make effective decisions under pressure. Must have the ability to listen objectively to people, perceive the real problem and assist in bringing issues to a successful conclusion.

Must relate and interact with, volunteers, clients, contractors, visitors and employees at all levels within the Agency.

WORK ENVIRONMENT : Environment will occasionally become noisy due to equipment operations and interactions among clients and staff.

There may be the possibility of being exposed to communicable disease, possible exposure to verbal abuse or similar behavior from residents / clients.

On an as needed basis, employees may be called upon to work outside of the established work schedule or work odd hours. All information associated with the Agency is confidential.

St. Vincent de Paul CARES is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About St. Vincent de Paul CARES :

SVdP CARES is a non-profit organization committed to ending homelessness : making it rare, brief, and one-time. With Housing First principles at the core, all SVdP CARES programs are built on the belief that everyone has the right to live in dignified and affordable housing with a healthy disregard for all community-perceived barriers to housing including employment history, criminal / credit background, mental health, addiction, or religious practices.

SVdP CARES works to rapidly house those experiencing homelessness within 30 days and concurrently connect them to resources and stabilization support services to assist their needs.

SVdP CARES serves 19 counties across 7,678+ square miles of Florida including Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Desoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, and Sumter counties.

Everyone is welcome through our doors, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, ancestry, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, and gender identity.