Housing Navigator

Spirit League; Orange (CA); Hybrid; USD 34,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Community Action Partnership of Orange County is seeking a Housing Navigator (Case Manager) to provide housing navigation, case management, and wraparound services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The role requires travel across Orange County, a valid driver’s license, and a hybrid schedule combining office, field, and remote work.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in human services and 1–2 years in housing-related programs, with strong communication and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field.
• Minimum 1–2 years working in housing-related programs.
• Direct experience with vulnerable populations, including homelessness.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive case management including screening for housing navigation services and connecting clients to resources.
• Develop and monitor an Individualized Housing Support Plan with measurable goals.
• Assist in securing housing and required documentation; follow up for stability.
• Coordinate with multiple staff, landlords and community partners to provide wraparound services.
• Commit to travel within Orange County and support hybrid work between office, field, and remote.

Skills

Case management

Housing navigation

CalAIM ECM

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human services

Job description

OUR EXCITING OPPORTUNITY

Community Action Partnership has an exciting opportunity for

Housing Navigator

In this role, the Housing Navigator (Case Manager) will assist with the development and implementation of program procedures and ensure that requirements are aligned to build sustainable support in impacting the lives of hundreds of residents; playing a critical part in the work and dedication of Community Action Partnership of Orange County’s initiatives. It’s leadership with a cause and the rewards are immeasurable!

Who We Are

Born out of the War on Poverty more than 50 years ago, Community Action Partnership Orange County (CAP OC) is a trusted resource for Orange County community members who face obstacles such as food insecurity, unemployment, economic turmoil and more. We walk alongside the people we serve, and we act to meet immediate needs without delay. Our programs help empower people to improve their lives and their communities. We see poverty as an unacceptable reality for our neighbors and rally with key partners to help facilitate change.

CAP OC hires professionals who support and embody the following EPIC values:

Going above and beyond in every interaction and activity we undertake. We strive for EXCELLENCE in service, keeping a pulse on the most up to date innovations within our industry. Together we continually assess and improve the way to work and enhance the strategies we utilize to meet the needs of our community.

Reaching our goals by working collaboratively with each other and our community. We are working to do the things that have not been done: empowering families and individuals to financial independence, breaking the cycle of poverty, creating financial equity, combating food insecurity, and establishing healthy and energy-efficient living conditions for all through social innovation. All of this takes PROACTIVENESS, and an intrinsic motivation that drives us to go above and beyond to create cutting-edge trends and program designs. We have the will and the energy and won't stop until the needs of our underserved community no longer exist.

We are a team of high INNOVATION. We value the work we do; the people we serve; and treat each other with respect and kindness. We also have an environment of engaging in social economic justice by sharing of ideas and not afraid to try new things that increases our educational capacity. We think outside of the box, and challenge prevailing assumptions about issues of poverty.

Reaching our goals by working in partnership with each other and our community. The work we do is deeply rooted in the COLLABORATION we have with our community and its citizens. We care about the legacy of community action partnership and go above and beyond to ensure we support each other in bringing forth the services and resources that will positively change generations forever.

We have remained true to our mission “We seek to end poverty by stabilizing, sustaining, and empowering people with the resources they need when they need them. By forging strategic partnerships, we form a powerful force to improve our community.”

Values

In addition to our EPIC values our external values are as follows:

Leadership

We are guiding critical shifts in how people think and act to address the root causes of poverty

Collaboration

We bring together all capable partners to achieve transformative results

Trust

For over 50 years, the community has counted on us to empower those in need

Compassion

We treat each person we serve respectfully and with great care

Justice

We are passionate about advocating for those living in poverty and creating equity throughout the region

WHAT YOU WILL ACCOMPLISH IN THIS ROLE

The primary duties of the Housing Navigator are to provide case management services to the most vulnerable populations, including individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The Housing Navigator will provide housing navigation, sustainability, and day habilitation services to ensure that all delivered services meet the needs of the members under the Housing Navigation program.

The rate for this position is $25.00 - $27.00.

We are actively recruiting for two (2) full-time positions. For one of the two openings, there is a strong preference for a candidate who is fully bilingual in English and Spanish to best serve our community participants.

This position requires regular travel throughout Orange County. Candidates must have a valid driver’s license, reliable personal transportation, and maintain active auto insurance at the time of hire.

This position will follow a hybrid schedule, with the Housing Navigator’s time split between the Office, time in the Field, and Remote work. The exact split may fluctuate from week to week, and the Housing Navigator is expected to exercise professional discernment in determining the best allocation of his/her time and where. Hybrid schedules are subject to change based on program needs and/or the reporting manager’s discretion.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide comprehensive case management that includes screening and assessing clients for housing navigation services and connecting clients to other community resources including CalAIM community supports and Enhanced Care Management (ECM).
• Assist in creating, implementing, and monitoring an Individualized Housing Support Plan based upon the housing assessment that addresses identified barriers, and includes short- and long-term measurable goals for each issue
• Assist in securing housing, including the completion of housing applications and securing required documentation.
• Provide necessary follow-up to ensure housing stability plans are progressing on schedule and needs are adequately being addressed.
• Assist with arranging and supporting the details of the member’s move, scheduling of appointments, and other clerical duties.
• Provide education and training on the roles, rights, and responsibilities of the tenant and landlord.
• Advocacy and linkage with community resources to secure and maintain housing.
• Assist member in acquiring, retaining, and improving self-help, socialization, and adaptive skills necessary to reside successfully in the member’s natural environment.
• Work with multiple staff members, partners, landlords and clients.
• Participates in community events/supportive services events targeting individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Enroll participants in the Coordinated Entry System
• Develop a network of resources by connecting with landlords, housing authorities, housing navigators, lead care coordinators, and community partners.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues across the organization and within respective departments to provide wraparound services to members including CalAIM programs and ECM.
• Participates in agency team meetings and training as required.
• Complete and submit program reports on a scheduled basis or as needed.
• Utilize motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, and harm-reduction approaches.
• Other program duties outside of the housing navigation program may be assigned.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE HAS KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE IN

• Basic knowledge of homeless and housing services, case management, financial literacy, financial stability and poverty issues.
• Planning and organizational techniques to develop and implement action plans.
• Basic teaching, training skills and techniques, and public speaking skills.
• Working both independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Analyzing and interpreting various materials to make recommendations, understand and apply program rules, regulations and procedures.

IDEAL CANDIDATE SHOULD BE

• Customer service oriented: Establish and maintain effective working relationships with CAP OC’s staff, participants, and representatives of other organizations.
• Ethically Focused: Understand ethical behavior and business practices and ensure own behavior and the behavior of others are consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization.
• Inclusive: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational and program effectiveness.
• Lead: Positively influence others to achieve results that are in the best interest of the organization and participants.
• Work focused: Being detail-oriented while working accurately and efficiently on a consistent basis without assistance. Strong organizational skills. May require working weekends/ evenings/ holidays when/if needed to meet client/production demands. Workdays and hours of work are subject to change.
• Language skilled: Preferably able to demonstrate clear, concise, and effective communication skills both orally and in writing in English/Spanish for one of the positions.
• Mathematical: In a timely manner correctly create, compose and complete mathematical equations on a computer or to complete forms for reports and/or presentations. Compile numbers, statistical data, and obtain other information for forms, reports and presentations.
• Computer literate: Competently use the Internet, Web based databases, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher and Access) and other applications. Experience with virtual communication platforms. Use a variety of computer databases to ensure that client records, statistics and reports are completed.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Required: Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field AND minimum 1-2 years working in housing-related programs. Direct experience working with vulnerable populations, including individuals and families experiencing homelessness. A minimum of 1 year’s case management and case planning experience is required. Minimum 1-year experience in trauma-informed care, harm reduction model, domestic violence, and crisis intervention required. Housing Navigation experience is a plus.

TRAVEL

Possess a valid California Driver’s License with a driving record that meets minimum standards established by CAP OC insurance carrier, proof of vehicle insurance, access to a vehicle and willingness to drive/travel when required.

Typically, travel is local during the business day to/from CAP OC locations and incumbent will use personal vehicle. Possible travel may be during evening hours and possible out-of-the-area and overnight travel.

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to bend, stoop, reach, pull, push, stand, kneel, sit, twist, turn, walk, bend at the waist, talk and hear, prolonged and fine dexterity of fingers and wrists, vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, ability to adjust focus, and prolong computer work. The employee must regularly lift and/or move objects up to twenty (20) pounds. Employee may be called upon to work outdoors in varying temperatures and weather conditions.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND BACKGROUND CHECK

A medical examination is required of each new employee whose physical condition must meet the minimum requirements prescribed for the position. In addition, prospective employees must pass a pre-employment physical, drug screen, Live Scan and background check. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

THE PROMISE OF COMMUNITY ACTION

Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.