Housing Specialist II

Volunteers of America Los Angeles; Fullerton (CA); On-site; USD 34,247 - 36,051; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive medical benefits

Dental and vision coverage

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Volunteers of America Los Angeles is seeking a Housing Specialist II to find suitable housing for program participants facing homelessness. This role involves direct engagement with landlords and the community to support clients in achieving sustainable and healthy living.

The ideal candidate will have experience in case management, solid communication skills, and the ability to navigate housing systems in Los Angeles. This is an on-site position with a commitment to client service.

Qualifications

• Must pass a fingerprint clearance and background check.
• Ability to handle emotional stress and difficult clients.

Responsibilities

• Identify and locate housing options for program participants.
• Create and maintain a housing database linking tenants to apartments.
• Conduct habitability and lead-based paint inspections of housing options.
• Support case management team in developing Individual Service Plans.

Skills

Case management

Housing navigation

Crisis intervention

Community engagement

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Services or related discipline

Equivalent combination of education and experience (4 years)

Job description

Pay Rate

$24.86 - $26.17 Per Hour

Benefits

VOALA offers competitive medical, dental, vision and retirement benefits.

Job Summary and Purpose

The Housing Specialist II is responsible for identifying suitable housing options for program participants and their families, and assisting the participants to achieve sustainable and healthy independent living. Part of the services team for the program, the Housing Specialist II provides experience‑based leadership and participates in all stages of client service: assessment, services planning, engagement, and delivery. The specialist assists program case management, outreach, and community engagement as directed and may lead these efforts as required.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Identifies and locates housing options suitable for homeless participants, including referral to VOALA shelters as appropriate.
• Creates and maintains a housing database linking tenants to apartments.
• Communicates with landlords and familiarizes them with the program and the unique needs of participants.
• Conducts habitability and lead‑based paint inspections of housing options as needed.
• Works directly (one on one) with landlords on behalf of clients and the program.
• Develops support systems to meet individual client's housing needs; coordinates and facilitates move‑in activities, rental negotiations, and service referrals as needed.
• Facilitates the use of community resources to assist both tenants and landlords in the event of problems leading to potential eviction.
• Provides information referrals, crisis intervention, and assistance with permanent housing placement for participants.
• Assists case managers in conducting comprehensive screenings and assessments to collect functional, environmental, financial, employment, housing, educational, and health information, as appropriate, to develop an Individual Service Plan.
• Coordinates follow‑up services with the case management team.
• Additional duties as assigned.
• Other duties as required.

Essential Duties

• Services for this position must be provided on‑site. Incumbents must report to work on‑site each day of active employment.
• Identifies and locates housing options suitable for homeless program participants.
  • Creates and maintains a housing database linking tenants to apartments.
  • Communicates with landlords and familiarizes them with the program.
  • Works one‑on‑one with landlords to help clients, and represents the program.
• Develops support systems for clients to achieve and maintain permanent housing, involving landlords and community services.
• Coordinates efforts with the Case Management team, supporting Case Management initiatives for clients served, and meets regularly to stay current with client needs.
• Participates in community engagement and outreach efforts.
• Other duties as required and may be subject to change.

Mandated Reporter

All employees are considered Mandated Reporters and must report any instance of physical or sexual abuse to proper authorities.

Qualifications

Requirements

• Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications.
• Ability to perform under circumstances of possible emotional stress and conflicts dealing with difficult, uncooperative, and potentially aggressive clients, as VOALA serves the neediest of the needy in our programs which may include clients with homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse, recently released from incarceration and other challenges.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Services or related discipline, OR
• Equivalent combination of education and work experience (four years).

Experience

• Two years of general experience in case management, including helping homeless individuals navigate Los Angeles’ affordable and subsidized housing system.

Preferred Qualifications

Volunteers of America is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

This employer participates in E‑Verify as required by the federal government and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

If E‑Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment.