Housing Navigator & Client Advocate (Hybrid)

South Middlesex Opportunity Council, Inc.; Framingham (MA); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO: up to 3 weeks + 2 weeks sick + 12

Life Insurance & AD&D

Long-Term Disability

Medical/Dental/Vision plans

HRA cost-sharing

403(b) retirement with company match

Flexible Spending Accounts

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

South Middlesex Opportunity Council, Inc. is seeking a Housing Search Coordinator to assist individuals and families in their housing journey. You will build relationships with local landlords, research housing options, and implement SMOC educational workshops.

You will manage a caseload of 25-35 clients, attend community outreach, and coordinate with the HCEC team to determine eligibility for short-term financial assistance. Hybrid work arrangement offered.

Qualifications

• Two years relevant work experience in social services or housing services with low-income, minority, and disabled individuals preferred.
• Strong knowledge of landlord/tenant and homebuyer issues preferred.
• Knowledge of or strong interest in learning about community-based resources.
• Aggl language skills: English; bilingual in Spanish and Portuguese strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, database applications, PowerPoint presentations, Internet search and email.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills required.
• Strong customer service skills and phone etiquette.
• Professional and courteous demeanor.
• Experience working in fast paced environment a plus.
• Ability to work under pressure and handle time sensitive tasks.
• Must have a valid driver's license, reliable transportation & meet insurance standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide housing search assistance to client, including assistance and advocacy with the subsidy application process, as well as updated information on available housing in the area.
• Implement and conduct on-going workshops to train advocates, clients and SMOC staff on topics such as SMOC Introduction to Services and Financial Assistance, Affordable Housing, Fair Housing, Housing Search and Smart Tenant - Tenant/Landlord Rights.
• Attend outreach events, network with other providers, advocates and legislators to learn about resources and provide training to the team and to promote HCEC services.
• Work collaboratively with HCEC team and EFA Division to assess each family’s housing and supportive services needs to determine if short-term financial assistance can be accessed to rapidly re-house the family.
• Responsible for managing a caseload of 25-35 individuals and families while providing housing search support.
• Develop relationships with local landlords, create and maintain updated list of available units for rent; make referrals to financial assistance programs, when needed, such as RAFT, FEMA, Secure Jobs, etc.
• Conduct ongoing appointments with clients at SMOC office sites and/or virtual meetings.
• Attend Internal and external trainings to ensure SMOC has most recent housing information available to our clients.
• Coach clients on how to present themselves positively with landlords and property managers, connecting clients to various trainings and additional services offered by SMOC.
• Collect CMS and CSBG required data by completing an intake assessment on CMS portal for every client seeking assistance. Maintain accurate client records and enter all required data.
• Escalate priority cases to HCEC Intake Supervisor and Assessment Supervisor for further triaging.
• Link clients to SMOC components for additional services.
• Engage all clients by understanding and addressing their needs whether within or outside the scope of work.
• 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 & procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish/Portuguese

MS Office/Office apps

Strong communication

Customer service

Organizational skills

Handle pressure/time management

Tools

PowerPoint

Databases

Internet search

Job description

South Middlesex Opportunity Council, Inc. is seeking a Housing Search Coordinator to assist individuals and families in their housing journey. You will build relationships with local landlords, research housing options, and implement SMOC educational workshops.

You will manage a caseload of 25-35 clients, attend community outreach, and coordinate with the HCEC team to determine eligibility for short-term financial assistance. Hybrid work arrangement offered.