Housing Specialist III

St. Vincent de Paul CARES; Clearwater (FL); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nonprofit organization seeks a Housing Specialist III to assist veterans in finding safe and affordable housing. The position involves networking with landlords, maintaining housing databases, conducting inspections, and providing referrals for additional assistance. The ideal candidate will exhibit respect for cultural diversity and have basic computer skills.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of housing regulations and local market.
• Experience assisting diverse populations in securing housing.
• Ability to manage multiple cases and deadlines effectively.

Responsibilities

• Assist eligible families in locating and renting suitable housing.
• Develop and maintain housing database for clients.
• Conduct housing inspections and resolve housing issues.

Skills

Communication

Cultural Sensitivity

Flexibility

Organizational Skills

Education

B.A. Degree preferred

Tools

Basic Computer Skills

Job description

MISSION STATEMENT: The mission of Society of St. Vincent de Paul South Pinellas, Inc. is to alleviate pain and suffering, in a spirit of justice and charity, through person-to-person involvement.

SUMMARY:
The Housing SpecialistIII – Vet shall provide direct services to enable eligible clients to locate affordable, safe and sanitary housing. The Housing Specialist will network with owners and managers of housing units, and maintain a list of landlords that can readily assist our veterans.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job-related duties as required. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at this time).

• Assists eligible families in locating and renting suitable housing; computing and preparing financing arrangements and monitoring owner/tenant compliance with standards.
• Maintain linkage between Agency, landlord and client.
• Develop and maintain (i.e., update) a database/listing of available housing stock for clients.
• Responsible for coordinating and/or performing Housing Inspection.
• Makes referrals to agencies and departments for the resolution of applicant housing issues.
• Investigates tenant and owner complaints and conducts follow-up visits.
• Makes appropriate referrals for assistance when client’s needs cannot be met.
• Maintains required client, legal and administrative record and statistical data as required by SVDP and program funders.
• Responsible for collecting all necessary documentation for client files.
• Networks and collaborates with other agencies and represents the agency at community functions, which may include public speaking and presentations as directed by Program Manager.
• All other duties as assigned.
• Demonstrates a commitment to serve all people with respect and compassion.
• Works in a spirit of cooperation with all external and internal stakeholders.
• Will make a Commitment to Serve all people with Respect, Compassion, and Cooperation

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Complies with all applicable training requirements.
• Complies with all company safety, personnel and operational policies and procedures.
• Complies with work schedule to ensure effective operations of Agency programs.
• Contributes positively as a member of a productive and cooperative team.
• Performs other duties as necessary to fulfill the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, South Pinellas, Inc. Mission.

Requirements

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: (To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.)

• Able to speak, write and understand English.
• Possess basic computer skills.
• Must be sensitive to and respect cultural diversity amongst clients, staff and volunteers and able to work with diverse racial, ethnic and economic groups.
• Flexible work schedule including evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.
• Ability to set appropriate limits, work under deadlines and multi-task.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, self-motivate, and deliver results.
• Excellent communication and listening skills.
• Possess strong work ethics.
• Successfully pass Law Enforcement background screening.
• Valid Florida driver’s license if driving an agency vehicle or a personal vehicle for company business.
• Must have reliable transportation.
• Participate in Agency Performance Quality Improvement (PQI) program and Accreditation/Reaccreditation process.
• Mission-driven attitude supplemented with integrity and passion.
• Adherence to the highest ethical standards, personally and professionally.
• A high level of openness and willingness to receive feedback/suggestions from superiors and others, and to learn new skills to improve job performance.
• Evidence of deep alignment with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul South Pinellas, Inc. Mission and Values.

ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: (To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.)

• Knowledge of Business English, spelling and punctuation.
• Knowledge of office practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of general math pertaining to percentages, allocations and discounts.
• Computer skills using current software.
• Must be able to communicate well, both orally and in writing.
• Good oral, writing and interpersonal skills in dealing with staff and others are essential.
• Sensitivity to the cultural diversity of clients in order to successfully work with diverse racial, ethnic, and economic groups.
• Ability to work as a team member and establish effective working relationships with staff, supervisor and outside organizations.
• Commitment to empowering others to solve their own problems.
• Demonstrate a commitment to serve all people with respect and compassion.
• Valuing a nurturing family as the ideal environment for a person.
• A conviction about the capacity of people to grow and change.
• The ability to establish a respectful relationship with persons served to help them, gain skills and confidence.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other personnel and/or service providers or professionals.
• The capacity to maintain a helping role and to intervene appropriately to meet service goals.
• Ability to work under deadlines, multi-task and set appropriate limits.
• Respects diversity of all clients staff and volunteers

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: (Pending on position and if prior to hire is approved by Chief Executive Officer, a comparable amount of training, education or experience may be substituted for the minimum education qualifications).

• A minimum of a B.A. Degree preferred.
• Substantial successful work experience in the field of housing may be substituted for the degree.

(A comparable amount of training, education or experience may be substituted for the above minimum qualifications.)

GENERAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation can be made, if appropriate, to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of job. Working in an office/site requires prolonged sitting at the computer workstation; standing, bending, reaching, lifting up to 40lbs. and some driving. Requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate standard office machines such as computers, fax machines, calculators, telephones, and other office equipment. It is also required to regularly sit, speak, and listen, the employee is also required to walk, use hands and fingers to type, operate equipment, and maintain records and notes. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

MENTAL DEMANDS:
Must handle new and diverse work problems on a daily basis. Personal maturity is an important attribute. Must be able to resolve problems, handle conflict, and make effective decisions under pressure. Must have the ability to listen objectively to people, perceive the real problem and assist in bringing issues to a successful conclusion. Must relate and interact with, volunteers, clients, contractors, visitors and employees at all levels within the Agency.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Environment will occasionally become noisy due to equipment operations and interactions among clients and staff. There may be the possibility of being exposed to communicable disease, possible exposure to verbal abuse or similar behavior from residents/clients. On an as needed basis, employees may be called upon to work outside of the established work schedule, or work odd hours. All information associated with the Agency is confidential.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul South Pinellas, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

NOTE:This job description does not constitute an employment contract, written, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” and/or grant funded position. Any oral or written statements or promises to the contrary are hereby expressly disavowed and should not be relied upon by any prospective or existing employees. This job description is subject to change by the employer (Society of St. Vincent de Paul South Pinellas, Inc.) at the discretion of the employer, or as the needs of the employer and/or requirement of the job change. Changes can be done formally or informally, either verbally or in writing. The Society of St. Vincent de Pau, South Pinellas, Inc. explicitly reserves the right to modify any of the provision of this job description at any time and without notice. This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties or essential function does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.