Community Resource Navigator, HCEC

South Middlesex Opportunity Council, Inc.; Framingham (MA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Community Resource Navigator at South Middlesex Opportunity Council, Inc. provides case management and referrals to help individuals and families access safe housing through the Housing Consumer Education Center.

Split between Marlborough and Framingham, this role requires bilingual Spanish or Portuguese and a valid driver’s license, coordinating workshops and maintaining client records while connecting households to housing resources with community partners.

Qualifications

• Bilingual Spanish or Portuguese required.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Carry a caseload and provide client-centered short-term case management to connect households to housing services.
• Maintain accurate client records and data in the CMS system daily.
• Stay current on SMOC housing programs and perform warm referrals.
• Schedule and facilitate HCEC workshops in multiple formats (virtual, SMOC, community sites).
• Collaborate with supervisors to build community connections with nonprofits and municipal offices.
• Provide external referrals to elder services, financial literacy, healthcare, and job programs.
• Attend trainings on tenant rights, eviction, and financial literacy to support households.
• Back-up to workshops, financial counseling, and community relationships with Homeownership Coordinator.
• Coordinate with other SMOC programs to ensure cross-program case management.
• Assist with housing search and housing-related applications.
• Communicate with clients by phone, email, or in-person at SMOC offices or community locations.
• Support front desk intake and respond to inquiries; maintain confidentiality and compliance.

Skills

Bilingual Spanish or Portuguese

Job description

Summary: The Community Resource Navigator will provide case management and support to individuals and families as part of the Housing Consumer Education Center services. The Navigator will provide information, education, and referrals for services that support acquiring affordable housing and/or remaining housed for at-risk community members. This role will also be responsible for facilitating and coordinating HCEC workshops throughout the year. This position will be split between the Marlborough and Framingham offices.

Why Work for SMOC?

Paid Time Off: All full-time employees can accrue up to 3 weeks of vacation, and 2 weeks of sick time and are eligible for 12 paid holidays during their first year of employment.
Employer-paid Life Insurance & AD&D and Long-Term Disability for full-time employees.
Comprehensive Benefits Package including Medical Plans through Mass General Brigham with an HRA Employer cost-sharing program, Dental Plans with Orthodontic Coverage, and EyeMed Vision Insurance available to full-time employees.
403(B) Retirement Plan with a company match starting on day one for all full-time and part-time employees.
Additional voluntary benefits including; Term and Whole Life Insurance, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital indemnity, and Short-Term Disability.
Flexible Spending Accounts, Dependent Care Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement and more.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Carry a caseload of individuals and families and provide client-centered short-term case management aimed at connecting households to needed services and supports to achieve and/or remain in safe, stable housing. Provide support, motivation, education, and guidance to meet client’s needs.
• Maintain accurate client records, collect and enter all required data in CMS system daily, follow up on client outcomes and record accurately.
• Stay current and aware of all housing programs offered at SMOC including capacity, intake/referral process, and basic eligibility in order to conduct appropriate, warm referrals to SMOC programs.
• Responsible for managing, coordinating, scheduling, and facilitating HCEC workshops such as Housing Search and SMOC Supports. Workshops will be held in a combination for formats either virtually, at SMOC, or at community locations throughout the year.
• Work closely with the Director of Housing Consumer Education Center and HCEC Program Supervisor on building and maintaining community connections to nonprofits, social services, and municipal offices throughout HCEC’s catchment area.
• Place appropriate referrals to external community partners for needed services that support housing such as elder services, financial literacy and budgeting programs, health care, job programs, etc.
• Participate in trainings such as tenant rights, eviction process, financial literacy, etc. in order to build skills and knowledge to support households.
• Work closely with the Homeownership Coordinator and act as back-up to workshops and classes, financial counseling, and community relationships.
• Collaborate with other SMOC programs and staff to ensure case coordination between programs.
• Provide housing search assistance with individuals and families as back-up to the Housing Search Coordinator as assigned.
• Assist with housing-related workshops as assigned.
• Participate at community events to conduct outreach, education, and share HCEC materials as assigned.
• Assist clients with housing-related applications.
• Communicate with clients through phone calls, email, and face-to-face meetings either at the SMOC offices or in community locations in the MetroWest area.
• Provide back-up to HCEC intake operations at the front desk by filling in when staff are out, as assigned. Support other areas of the HCEC program such as incoming phone calls and emails, as assigned.
• Maintain confidentiality of client, employee and agency information in accordance with federal and state laws and funder requirements.
• Ensure compliance with program/department, agency and/or funder requirements, as well as, SMOC policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements:

• Housing support experience a plus, experience working with lower income populations preferred
• Bilingual Spanish or Portuguese required
• A valid driver’s license and reliable transportation is required

Organizational Relationship:

Directly reports to Director Housing Consumer Education Center. Direct reports of this position are none. Indirectly reports to the RAFT Manager, HCEC Program Supervisor, and Division Director Housing Assistance Programs.

Physical Requirement:

Must be able to sit or stand for a prolonged period. Must be able to operate a computer and complete extensive paperwork. Must be able to lift 25 lbs.

Working Conditions:

As part of the responsibilities of this position, the Community Resource Navigator will have direct or incidental contact with clients served by SMOC in various programs funded or administered through the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. A successful background check is required.

Monday through Friday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM. Includes a 1-hour unpaid lunch break. 35 Hours per week.