VASH Housing Navigator (Long-Term Temporary)

Please note this position is open until filled; however, to ensure consideration applications should be received by March 30, 2023 at 4:30 p.m.

Have you experienced firsthand just how challenging it is to secure affordable rental housing in King County? Do have experience partnering with vulnerable households, including veterans experiencing homelessness, and other stakeholders to overcome barriers to housing placement and stability? If so, you might be the ideal candidate for the inaugural role as King County Housing Authority’s (KCHA) Housing Navigator supporting veterans utilizing a KCHA HUD-VASH voucher.

The Housing Navigator is an opportunity for an experienced and talented professional to contribute to the mission of transforming lives through housing. The ideal candidate understands that we are all in this together and it takes sustained effort, vision, creativity, collaboration, resilience and good community partnering—between housing seekers, service providers and landlords alike—to make it possible for those with barriers to access stable housing.

This newly established Housing Navigator role at KCHA will join our Social Impact department and will be responsible to provide coaching, relationship building, support, tools and resources to ensure housing voucher holders are able to access stable housing. The successful candidate will have experience in engaging & negotiating with landlords, familiarity with landlord tenant laws and fair housing, helping people mitigate housing barriers they may face with accessing housing and facilitating housing placement in King County’s challenging housing market. If you have passion and conviction that relationship building, equity, progressive engagement, adaptability and systems thinking are at the heart of this work, then you are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

The Housing Navigator role is performed under the supervision of the Senior Housing Program Manager. The successful candidate will be expected to work independently helping clients navigate King County’s rental market and will carry a substantial case load of clients searching for housing, some with housing placement barriers. Individuals with lived experience as a renter seeking housing, or as a landlord are encouraged to apply. Multiple positions may be filled through this process.

The Housing Navigator will:

• 
  Utilize the evidenced-based principles of Housing First and Progressive Engagement, along with an equity-centered approach, to coach clients toward housing barrier reduction and long-term stability; develops housing search plans with each client to ensure progress is made towards their goals.
• Provide a wide range of housing navigation and lease-up supports to clients including, but not limited to, housing search and neighborhood information, introductions to and negotiations with landlords with available units for lease, rental application assistance, assistance requesting reasonable accommodations, assistance requesting voucher extensions when needed, and accessing a range of financial assistance to help clients overcome financial leasing barriers, such as application fees, holding fees or deposits.
• Perform administrative duties to support housing navigation efforts including processing referrals, developing and using data tracking systems, analyzing data, creating, and monitoring plans, evaluating performance metrics, and ensuring adequate services are reaching those whose needs are greatest.
• Establish, develop, and strengthen a network of property owners and property managers with potential open units for clients; partners with internal Landlord Liaison team and external stakeholders to coordinate efforts.
• Support housing stability for those recently housed through coaching and referrals to community-based resources, self-sufficiency services, financial empowerment services, employment opportunities, landlord negotiations, career development & training options, and Healthcare services.
• Assist in new program development, marketing, partner engagement, meeting facilitation and application support in concert with the HCV team.
• Assist with other program support as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• 
  Associates/Technical Degree AND
• Considerable experience in providing low-income, homeless, and/or diverse population direct social service client care; with experience as a military Veteran and/or lived experience with homelessness preferred OR
• An equivalent combination of experience and education that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

• Knowledge of the functions and operations of landlords and housing agencies; public housing authorities and associated rules, regulations, and requirements.
• Knowledge of social service programs, human relations, financial environments and issues facing people living in poverty and experiencing homelessness.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including landlords; work cooperatively, exchange ideas that drive to solutions, and addresses challenges in a constructive and collaborative manner.
• Well-developed organizational and time management skills and ability to work independently to meet job objectives.
• Effective written and oral communication techniques to convey clear and timely messages.
• Critical, creative, and reflective thinking skills to identify problems, analyze and evaluate and implement various solutions, and monitor effectiveness of efforts; ability to analyze data and resolve problems; generates unique but workable and useful solutions to difficult problems.
• Exceptional customer service to landlords and a diverse population of internal and external stakeholders and clients.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Reliable with a proven reputation for being consistently dependable.
• Adaptability to changing business needs, conditions, and work responsibilities; responds to change with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn new ways to accomplish work activities and objectives.
• Proficiency using MS Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook and the internet; skill and ability to learn and use agency Management Information Systems and peripheral equipment.

• Consent to and pass required assessments.
• Consent to and pass a driver's and criminal records background check.
• Must possess a valid driver's license to travel to KCHA sites as required. Must have an acceptable driving record at time of appointment and throughout employment.

Application Requirements:
To be considered for this opportunity, you must:

• 
  Complete the online application profile in its entirety.
• Upload a cover letter that addresses how your experience and education qualifies you to perform the essential functions listed in the job announcement. (Cover Letter)
• Upload a detailed résumé of all educational and professional experience. (Résumé)