Housing Specialist

theirc; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) in California is seeking an UHP Housing Specialist to secure safe, affordable housing for humanitarian parolees and refugees. You will connect clients with long-term resources, coordinate furniture, utilities, and inspections, and support program planning with teams and partners.

This role requires a Bachelor's degree and at least 1 year of housing experience, with preference for refugee/immigrant background.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum 1 year housing related professional experience.
• Experience with refugee/immigrant populations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Identify and secure safe, sanitary, and affordable housing for refugees.
• Outreach to landlords and property managers to increase housing access.
• Coordinate housing set-ups, furniture, utilities, leases, and inspections.
• Follow procurement procedures and maintain documentation.
• Deliver client orientations and assist with pre-/post-arrival activities.
• Maintain records and travel to service areas as needed.
• May train staff, volunteers, or interns.

Skills

Relationship building

Diplomacy

Networking

Multicultural communication

Problem solving

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Job Overview:

The UHP Housing Specialist secures and coordinates the furnishing of safe, sanitary, and affordable housing for newly arriving humanitarian parolees and refugees and provides related logistical support. This role will work with staff, clients, and community partners to stabilize humanitarian parolees/refugee and client households by connecting them with long-term resources for low-income and designated affordable housing opportunities. In coordination with the UHP Team, the UHP Housing Specialist will be responsible for locating housing for UHP clients and other vulnerable populations. The UHP Housing Specialist also participates, as required, in program planning and service developments through teams, committees and work groups. The UHP Housing Specialist operates under moderate supervision with latitude for the use of independent judgment and initiative.

This position has an end date of September, 30, 2027.

Major Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Identify and secure safe, sanitary, and affordable housing for newly arriving refugees in compliance with established program requirements.
• Conduct ongoing outreach to current and potential landlords and property managers, building strong working relationships with the goal of increasing access to housing for refugee families and to coordinate client home repair requests as needed. Collaborate effectively with coworkers and partner organizations to support a positive resettlement experience.
• Coordinate logistics of housing set-ups including ordering furniture and supplies and arranging delivery, arranging utility hook-ups, facilitating lease signings and renewals, arranging payments, and conducting home safety inspections.
• Implement a high-quality procurement protocol including researching potential new vendors, following appropriate financial and purchasing procedures, and maintaining required documentation.
• Deliver orientations to clients independently or in collaboration with housing caseworkers; may support other pre- and post-arrival activities such as airport pick-ups.
• Satisfy recordkeeping requirements.
• Use personal, insured vehicle and/or public transportation (where available) to travel and transport clients and materials as needed throughout the service delivery area.
• May train and lead the activities of support staff, volunteers, and interns.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum of 1 year of housing related professional experience required
• Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations preferred

Demonstrated Skills & Competencies:

• Strong relationship building, diplomacy, and networking skills; ability to effectively build internal and external relationships
• Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment
• Proven ability to contribute both independently and as a key team member
• Self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the proven ability to multi-task, prioritize duties, and manage time effectively
• Superb organization, planning, and logistical skills
• Attention to detail and accuracy in work product
• Ability to regularly lift ~50 lbs
• Fluent in English, both spoken and written; proficiency in Ukrainian and/or Russian language(s) spoken by IRC's clients is preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook); ability to use the internet and other digital tools for data entry, research and problem-solving purposes
• Valid driver's license and access to a personal, insured vehicle

Working Environment:

• A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and 'field' time within the service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities
• May require occasional weekend and/or evening work

Compensation:

($26/hr-$27/hr). Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Professional Standards:

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards f