Housing Stability Specialist - 12‑Month Temp

DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center); Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 54,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dental

Life

Long-term Disability

Medical (no premiums/payroll deduction

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

ORCA card subsidy

Paid Time Off (34 days per year)

Retirement Plan

Job summary

DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center) in Seattle, WA, is hiring two Housing Retention Specialists for a 12-month temporary assignment. The role focuses on direct, short-term behavioral coaching to help tenants overcome tenancy barriers, with emphasis on benefits navigation and housing stability.

The position supports site staff within DESC’s Unit Condition Response Team, collaborating across teams to improve housing retention and tenant engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or related behavioral science.
• 1 year of relevant paid work experience (or equivalent demonstrated ability).
• Experience with homeless or formerly homeless adults and related services is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a mobile cross-site specialist within an integrated care team to address housing challenges.
• Co-deploy into high-acuity units to provide safety and intensive support.
• Provide short-term, in-unit coaching to improve independent living skills.
• Apply trauma-informed, harm-reduction approaches to support tenants and reduce risks.
• Assist in implementing ISP/Housing Retention and Stability Plan goals.
• Support benefit navigation, including Medicaid/ABD/SSI/SSDI and renewals.

Skills

Diverse population communication

Crisis de-escalation

Behavioral health awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or related behavioral science

1 year of relevant paid work experience

Job description

DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center) in Seattle, WA, is hiring two Housing Retention Specialists for a 12-month temporary assignment. The role focuses on direct, short-term behavioral coaching to help tenants overcome tenancy barriers, with emphasis on benefits navigation and housing stability.

The position supports site staff within DESC’s Unit Condition Response Team, collaborating across teams to improve housing retention and tenant engagement.