Housing Specialist - HS060

Native American Rehabilitation Assoc. of the NW; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 54,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

Paid Holidays

Sick Time and PTO

Life Insurance & AD&D

Disability benefits

401(k) with match

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

NARA Northwest is seeking a Permanent Supportive Housing Specialist to work with chronically homeless individuals, helping stabilize housing and improve health through home- and community-based services. The role involves outreach, paperwork, and coordination with partners and staff to overcome barriers.

The position requires a degree in a social-service field, and a QMHA credential is highly desirable or obtainable within 6 months. A valid driver's license and clean record are also required.

Qualifications

• Degree in social-service related field with desirable QMHA credential.
• Experience with homelessness or severe mental illness.
• Experience creating service plans and progress notes.
• Knowledge of housing resources and recovery-based approaches.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and coordinate with partners.
• Valid driver’s license with clean driving record and auto insurance.

Responsibilities

• Complete outreach, screening and referrals to determine eligibility.
• Assist participants through housing processes, including paperwork and barriers.
• Complete initial and annual paperwork for housing stability.
• Develop relationships with partners and property managers.
• Coordinate with providers to address participants’ needs and treatment planning.
• Provide home- and community-based engagement using Motivational Interviewing and Housing First.
• Document treatment plans, progress notes, and discharge summaries.

Skills

Homeless services

Behavioral health knowledge

Documentation skills

Multi-cultural environment

Education

Degree in social-service field

QMHA credential or able to obtain within 6 months

Job description

Job Details Job Location: River House - Portland, OR 97214 Position Type: Full Time Salary Range: $26.09 - $35.70 Hourly Job Shift: Day Title: Housing Specialist

Location: River House (211 SE Caruthers St. Portland, OR 97214) and Community Sites

Schedule: In-person, Monday through Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm

Wage Range: $26.09 -$35.70, Hourly. Non-exempt

If you are a motivated and dedicated Housing Specialist looking for an opportunity to contribute to an organization making a positive impact, we want to hear from you!

At NARA Northwest, you’ll find a supportive work environment where every team member is valued and respected. Whether you’re passionate about healthcare, behavioral health, education, or social services, there’s a place for you to make a meaningful difference.

Company Mission: The mission of NARA NW is to provide education, physical, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment that is culturally appropriate to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and anyone in need.

About the Company: At NARA NW, we provide essential services and support to Native American and Alaska Native people, empowering them to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. As an organization rooted in cultural heritage and community values, we offer a unique and rewarding opportunity to make a direct positive impact in the lives of others. We have over 400 employees in a wide range of programs and services, including medical and dental care, addiction treatment, housing assistance, and cultural enrichment programs, there are endless opportunities to grow and thrive in your career while making a difference in the lives of others.

Position Overview

The Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Specialist works independently and collaboratively with multiple NARA teams and external partner agencies to provide community and home-based housing support services to individuals who are chronically homeless and whose health, behavioral health, and socioeconomic issues prevent them from accessing housing. Services are focused around supporting the individual to stabilize their housing, end their experience with homelessness, and improve their health and move forward in their recovery.

What you will do:

• Complete outreach, screening and referral processes to determine program eligibility.
• Assist program participants through the housing process including completing necessary paperwork and documentation, addressing possible barriers to housing approval, accessing funding for move in costs, and obtaining furnishings for their home.
• Complete program specific initial and annual paperwork with participants to assist with housing stability.
• Develop positive relationships with collaborative partners, external providers, and Nesika Illahee property managers and resident service staff.
• Be responsive to property managers as concerns arise in order to support participants in successfully maintaining their housing and preventing eviction. Follow up with property managers to determine outcome of any needed interventions.
• Work in close coordination with other providers/ support systems to address the needs of participants. Includes initiating clinical consults, assuring coordination of treatment planning and ongoing support services.
• Provide home and community based engagement services to participants utilizing strengths-based case management while embracing the philosophy of Motivational Interviewing and Housing First. Utilize assertive engagement techniques to meet participants where they are willing to participate and coach participants in setting goals and identifying realistic steps to achieve them.
• Consistently use strong clinical and professional judgment while providing services; including taking appropriate safety precautions while transporting participants and providing services in the community/homes.
• Complete housing-related treatment plans, progress notes, discharge summaries and other documentation as required.

Qualifications

• Degree in social-service related field, QMHAcredential or equivalent highly desirable. If not currently credentialed, must be able to obtain QMHA credential within 6 months of hire.
• Professional experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness or experiencing severe and persistent mental illness.
• Experience creating service plans, progress notes, and other documentation.
• Knowledge of housing resources and programs.
• Knowledge and understanding of recovery-based, holistic approaches to addressing behavioral health needs.
• Knowledge and skill in working in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment.
• Access to reliable transportation, current driver’s license with a clean driving record, and proof of auto insurance.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment or for cause drug tests.
• Ability to pass criminal background and DMV checks.

What’s in it for you?

15 Paid Holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Battle of Little Big Horn, Independence Day, Labor Day, Native American Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, day after Thanksgiving, December 25th and your Birthday!

Benefits

• Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance through Kaiser Permanente
• 15 Paid Holidays (Listed Above)
• 13 Paid Days of Sick Time
• 13 Paid Days of PTO (Vacation accruals increase with years of service to a maximum of 26 days)
• $50,000 Life Insurance & AD&D
• Short Term and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Spending Account
• 401(k) with 4% Match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Inclement Weather Days (Snow Days)
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness -NARA NW is a local 501(c)3 nonprofit, FQHC

NARA NW Mission: Our mission is to provide education, physical and mental health services and substance abuse treatment that is culturally appropriate to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and everyone in need.

NARA NW is fully committed to supporting sobriety. To support NARA NW in its mission, all employees agree to refrain from illicit drug use, marijuana use, and prescription drug abuse, both on and off the job. In addition, all employees agree to model alcohol sobriety. Modeling alcohol sobriety means not consuming, discussing, or promoting the use of alcohol, on the job, on social media and when in the community where the employee would be likely to be seen by NARA NW clients or community. If in recovery, employees must have been sober/clean for a length of time sufficient to demonstrate that they will be able to remain sober.

Consistent with NARA NW’s sobriety policy, all employees, volunteers, interns, and contractors, as applicable, are required to sign a “Drug-Free/Alcohol-Free Workplace Certification Form” and NARA NW “Modeling Sobriety Policy Form” as a condition of employment to confirm that they are aware of this policy and that they agree to comply with it. Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. This policy is subject to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and its state counterpart.

Preference in hiring is given to qualified Native Americans in accordance with the Indian Preference Act (Title 25, US Code, Sections 472 and 473). NARA Northwest is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Within the scope of Indian Preference, all candidates will receive equal consideration. Experience working with Native American/ Alaska Native community is considered a plus.

This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position’s activities and requirements, the agency reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties, as necessary.