Housing Specialist - Wy'East - HS097

Paycom; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 54,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

NARA NW Housing Specialist position at River House in Portland, OR 97214 focuses on independent and collaborative housing support for adults 50+ with histories of homelessness. The role aims to stabilize housing, end homelessness, and improve health and recovery outcomes.

You will conduct strengths-based case management, coordinate with partners, complete housing paperwork, and assist with move-in costs and furnishings to help clients secure stable housing and better health outcomes.

Qualifications

• QMHA credential required. If not currently credentialed, must be able to obtain QMHA credential within 6 months of hire.
• Requires a high school diploma, GED or equivalent.
• Professional experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness or mental illness.
• Experience creating service plans, progress notes, and other documentation.
• Knowledge of housing resources and programs.
• Knowledge of recovery-based, holistic approaches to addressing behavioral health needs.
• Ability to engage and interact positively with individuals and families to promote strengths and improve health and well-being.
• Excellent communication skills and initiative to effectively coordinate care.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Provide home and community based housing support services to program participants using strengths-based case management.
• Complete housing-related service plans, progress notes, discharge summaries and other documentation as required.
• Complete program specific initial and annual paperwork with participants, including verification of homelessness, disability, and income.
• Develop positive relationships with collaborative partners and property managers.
• Be responsive to property managers to support participants in maintaining housing and preventing eviction.
• Coordinate with other providers to address needs, including referrals to behavioral health, medical, and vocational resources.
• Assist new referrals through the housing process, gathering necessary documentation and funding for move-in costs.
• Maintain safety and professional judgment in community settings.

Skills

QMHA credential

Driver's license

Education

2 Year Degree

Job description

Job Details

Job Details: Job Location: River House - Portland, OR 97214, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: 2 Year Degree, Salary Range: $26.09 - $35.70 Hourly, Job Shift: Day, Job Category: UDS-Outreach Worker-26-11c, Title:Housing Specialist - Wy'East Location:River House (211 SE Caruthers Portland, OR 97214) and Wy'East 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!

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 Northwest teams and Wy’ East housing program in SE Portland to provide community and home-based housing support services to individuals 50 years and over with a history of homelessness and whose health, behavioral health, and socioeconomic issues have prevented them from accessing housing in the past. Services are focused around supporting the individual and/or couple to stabilize their housing, end their experience with homelessness, and improve their health and move forward in their recovery.

What you will do

• Provide home and community based support services to program 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.
• Complete housing-related service plans, progress notes, discharge summaries and other documentation as required.
• Complete program specific initial and annual paperwork with participants, including verification of homelessness, verification of disability, and income verification.
• Develop positive relationships with collaborative partners, external providers, and Hazel Heights property managers.
• 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 clients. Includes initiating clinical consults, assuring coordination of treatment planning and ongoing support services. This may also include facilitating referrals and engagement in behavioral health, medical and dental services, vocational resources, and income acquisition.
• Assist new referrals through the housing process including gathering necessary documentation, addressing possible barriers to housing approval, accessing funding for move-in costs, and obtaining furnishings for their home.
• Consistently use strong clinical and professional judgment while providing services to clients; including taking appropriate safety precautions while transporting clients and providing services to clients in the community/homes.
• Demonstrate responsibility for safety of participants and property. Must be familiar with fire and building regulations and evacuation procedures.
• Provide ongoing assessment of needs and risk of harm for each individual and respond appropriately.

Qualifications

Qualifications: Qualifications

We would like to hear from people that have:

• QMHA credential required. If not currently credentialed, must be able to obtain QMHA credential within 6 months of hire.
• Requires a high school diploma, GED or equivalent.
• 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.
• Ability to engage and interact positively with individuals and families to promote strengths and improve health and well-being.
• Excellent communication skills and initiative to effectively coordinate care.
• Ability to work collaboratively with clients, other NARA NW staff, and team members, and to treat everyone with respect and dignity at all times.
• 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

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.

Sobriety Policy

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

Equal Opportunity

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.