Housing Navigator, Shelter, Springfield

Clinical and Support Options, Inc; Springfield (MA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental insurance

Generous paid time off

403(b) retirement savings plan

Free CEUs and in-house training

Group-rate supplemental insurance

Collaborative work environment

Job summary

Clinical & Support Options, Inc (CSO) is seeking a Housing Navigator for our shelter in Springfield, MA. The role provides case management to clients to assess, plan, and coordinate housing options and services to help secure safe, permanent housing.

The starting salary ranges from $38,000 to $44,000 per year. The Housing Navigator will develop housing plans with clients, assist in searching for housing, and work with FOH shelter guests to achieve housing stability.

Qualifications

• College degree preferred or required in a human services or related field.
• Experience in the human services field is helpful.
• Computer proficiency is required for documentation and data entry.

Responsibilities

• Engage clients with initial case management assessment to determine needs and services.
• Develop housing plans and assist in housing search and document collection.
• Maintain caseload through regular check-ins and progress updates.
• Coordinate with partners to connect clients to needed supports and services.
• Attend meetings and ensure client eligibility and referrals for permanent housing.
• Document assessments, progress notes, and HMIS information in CSO systems.
• Support clients with transportation access and problem-solve barriers to housing.

Skills

Computer proficiency

Valid driver's license

Reliable transportation

Bilingual candidates encouraged

Education

College degree in relevant field

Job description

CSO is looking for a Housing Navigator for our shelter in Springfield.

The Housing Navigator for shelter will provide case management services to clients through a collaborative process that assesses, plans and coordinates the options and services that will meet an individual's needs and support their success in obtaining and/or maintaining housing. Housing Navigators that work with Friends of the Homeless (FOH) shelter guests will develop housing plans with clients and assist in their housing search for safe, permanent housing.

Starting Salary: $38,000-$44,000/year

As a Housing Navigator:

You Will:

• Engage client and complete initial case management assessment and/or housing navigator checklist to determine eligibility and needs for services, supports and housing
• Assist clients with developing a housing plan and action steps, from obtaining needed documents and benefits, to completing housing search
• Continuously engage clients in their housing goals. Plan follow up steps with clients
• Manage caseload by regularly reviewing caseload with checklist, to track client progress, address barriers, and follow up on next steps
• Manage priorities with caseload, and utilize supports and services as needed for clients
• Participate in workshops and other activities provided in the FOH Resource Center that pertain to client goals, such as budgeting, job search, employment search, how to be a good tenant, anger management, housemate pairing and other shared housing tools, and completing housing search
• Participate in and prepare for all relevant meetings pertaining to clients, such as Coordinated Entry case conference meetings, as it pertains to prioritizing and referring eligible clients for permanent supportive housing
• Participate in Youth and Young Adult (YYA) case conference meetings, and/or Veteran case conference meetings, if assigned to work with YYA and/or Veteran clients
• Complete vulnerability assessments, as well as chronic verification and disabling condition verification, as needed with clients
• Work collaboratively within the team and internally throughout FOH and CSO, and with a network of external providers
• Assist clients with securing transportation if needed, and facilitate problem-solving around obstacles to achieving goals
• Provide community-based services to support clients; transports clients as appropriate/directed.
• Assist clients with transition to housing placement, and assure all supports are in place prior to placement
• Complete Outcome Summaries and other documentation in a timely manner
• Provide referrals and connection to community resources to support tenants, including internal referrals for mental health/addiction treatment, crisis services, and community support/RSN as appropriate
• Utilize CSO's electronic health record or other electronic system to document assessments, tenant progress notes/contact notes, and all other applicable documentation needed. Ensure necessary HMIS documentation as required. Adhere to agency timeframes for documentation.

Your Background:

• College degree in relevant field (preferred)
• Experience in the Human Services field
• Computer proficiency
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation

Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

We also seek applicants who embody CSO's values by being:

• Positive - maintaining resiliency and focusing on solutions
• Respectful - collaborating and effectively communicating
• Insightful - demonstrating self-awareness and effectively priority setting
• Conscientious - taking accountability and applying feedback

What We Offer

At CSO, we believe our employees are our greatest asset. We are committed to supporting your professional growth, well-being, and success through:

• Health and dental insurance
• Generous paid time off
• 403(b) retirement savings plan
• Free CEUs and ongoing professional development through in-house training
• Group-rate supplemental insurance options
• A flexible, supportive, and collaborative work environment

Why Join CSO?

For more than 50 years, Clinical & Support Options, Inc. (CSO) has been providing innovative, compassionate behavioral health services throughout Western Massachusetts. With locations across Springfield, Northampton, Greenfield, and surrounding communities, our multidisciplinary teams work together to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families.

When you join CSO, you become part of a mission-driven organization where collaboration, professional growth, and community partnerships are valued. We encourage our employees to bring their ideas, strengths, and unique perspectives to their work-and provide opportunities to learn, grow, and build a rewarding career along the way.

Come grow with us and make a difference in the communities we serve!

A Great Place to Work

CSO was named a Healthcare Industry Top Workplace, and has been recognized as the fastest-growing behavioral health agency in Western Massachusetts. Our commitment to our employees is reflected in our consistently strong internal employee satisfaction results, with more than 90% of CSO staff reporting that they would recommend CSO as a great place to work.

We invite you to learn more about CSO and discover what makes our organization a great place to build your career.

Professional Development

We are committed to helping our employees continue to learn and grow. CSO offers in-house training and professional development opportunities in areas such as:

Trauma-Informed Care - Motivational Interviewing - Mindfulness Skills - and more