Court Navigation Specialist

Description

The Court Navigation Specialist provides housing stabilization services on-site at court facilities to households facing eviction through education, mediation, referrals to community-based supports, and short-term financial assistance when available. The Court Navigation Specialist works with the Clerks office to collect and report on eviction filings and case outcomes. The Court Navigation Specialist also assists with outreach to targeted neighborhoods, educates landlords and community partners about the program. The Court Navigation Specialist works a flexible schedule, which could include 2-3 evenings and 1 weekend day per month as necessary.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Outreach:

• In collaboration with the Program Manager and the Crisis Response Director (CRD), and legal supports (such as Legal Aid) create and implement a court outreach plan that ensures households are informed of the mediation and legal representation services available to the most vulnerable households across the designated service area.
• Screen and refer households at court for resources that may lead to case dismissal or continuance, such as financial assistance, mediation, and legal representation services.
• Conduct individual needs assessment with households that request additional support and provide appropriate resources and referral ensuring that the household understands the requirements and purpose of the program to which they are being referred.
• In the absence of designated court mediation services, conduct problem solving sessions with participants and landlords as needed to restore communications and establish eviction prevention plans.
• When required, use Financial Assistance funds to facilitate housing stability, and effective solutions to identified needs.
• In coordination with the Crisis Response Director attend and/or coordinate agency staff attendance at community outreach events throughout the designated service area.
• Assist with workshops and information sessions about the eviction process, and tenant rights.
• Liaise with court staff for access to the publicly available eviction filings and case dispositions.
• Track all interactions that occur with tenants and landlords in alignment with program and grant guidelines.

Customer Service:

• Provide service to internal and external customers according to standards as outlined in ForKids Customer CARE Manual.

Financial Management:

• Use agency resources (financial and non-financial) prudently.
• Acknowledge and follow financial policies of the agency.

Grants Data Management:

• Accurately complete all required data reporting in accordance with established guidelines.
• Participate in all scheduled data collection trainings.

Community Engagement:

Participate in development and fundraising activities as needed and requested (ex: meeting with donors, providing tours, attending fundraising events).

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Combination of experience and education sufficient to meet the essential skills and knowledge of the position, with a minimum of one year of property management, crisis counseling and/or homeless shelter or other relevant work experience.

Essential Functions, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of social, economic and health problems as they relate to homeless families.

• Ability to be objective and calm in a stressful environment.
• Knowledge of community and social agencies and resources.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work with a diverse population.
• Ability to make sound judgments within the framework of existing policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of the use of personal computers and standard office software.
• Ability to accurately track and report data.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers, co-workers and with representatives of other agencies and programs.
• Ability to work regular evening and weekend hours as scheduled.
• Valid drivers license with no more than two at-fault accidents, three minor moving violations or four nonmoving violations in the past three years and no major moving violations in the past four years.

Salary : $18 - $21