Lead Housing Navigator

Health Advocacy Team Support (HATS); Salinas (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Health insurance

Job summary

Health Advocacy Team Support (HATS) is seeking a Lead Housing Navigator in California to guide a Housing Navigation team, mentor staff, and coordinate complex housing placements for vulnerable clients. The role balances direct client advocacy with program oversight and data quality assurance to improve housing outcomes.

The position requires strong leadership, HMIS proficiency, and knowledge of HUD guidelines and Harm Reduction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field (equivalent experience may be considered).
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in housing navigation, homeless services, or case management, with at least 1 year of leadership or mentorship experience within a team.
• High proficiency with HMIS and a strong understanding of HUD guidelines, Housing First principles, and Harm Reduction models.

Responsibilities

• Mentorship & Training: Onboard, train, and provide daily technical guidance to Housing Navigators regarding housing resources, case management strategies, and compliance.
• Workflow Coordination: Assist the Program Manager in assigning cases, balancing team workloads, and triaging high-priority or complex client crises.
• Quality Assurance: Conduct regular peer reviews of client files and HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) data entries to ensure compliance with grant guidelines and agency standards.
• Meeting Facilitation: Lead team meetings, case switch consultations, and case conferencing sessions to troubleshoot barriers to housing.
• High-Acuity Caseload: Manage a small, specialized caseload of participants with complex, multi-layered barriers to housing stability.
• Housing Identification: Proactively scout, build, and maintain a robust network of landlords, property managers, and affordable housing developers.
• Financial Assistance Coordination: Oversee the distribution and tracking of flexible housing funds, security deposits, and rental assistance programs for the team.
• Advocacy & Inspections: Conduct housing habitability inspections and advocate fiercely for participants during the lease-up process to ensure fair housing practices.
• System Liaison: Represent the agency at regional Continuum of Care (CoC) meetings, coordinated entry briefings, and community stakeholder forums.
• Resource Development: Keep the team updated on shifting local housing policies, new affordable housing openings, and community resource updates.

Skills

Leadership

Crisis De-escalation

Negotiation

Organization

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field

Tools

HMIS

Job description

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Health insurance

Job Summary

The Lead Housing Navigator provides advanced housing stabilization services to vulnerable populations while serving as the primary point of contact, mentor, and coordinator for the Housing Navigation team. In addition to managing a reduced case-load of high-acuity clients, the Lead Housing Navigator assists leadership with program oversight, data quality assurance, staff training, and cultivating strategic community partnerships. This role balances direct client advocacy with administrative leadership to optimize the agency's housing placement outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Mentorship & Training: Onboard, train, and provide daily technical guidance to Housing Navigators regarding housing resources, case management strategies, and compliance.
• Workflow Coordination: Assist the Program Manager in assigning cases, balancing team workloads, and triaging high-priority or complex client crises.
• Quality Assurance: Conduct regular peer reviews of client files and HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) data entries to ensure compliance with grant guidelines and agency standards.
• Meeting Facilitation: Lead team meetings, case switch consultations, and case conferencing sessions to troubleshoot barriers to housing.

Advanced Housing Navigation & Case Management

• High-Acuity Caseload: Manage a small, specialized caseload of participants with complex, multi-layered barriers to housing stability.
• Housing Identification: Proactively scout, build, and maintain a robust network of landlords, property managers, and affordable housing developers.
• Financial Assistance Coordination: Oversee the distribution and tracking of flexible housing funds, security deposits, and rental assistance programs for the team.
• Advocacy & Inspections: Conduct housing habitability inspections and advocate fiercely for participants during the lease-up process to ensure fair housing practices.

Community Engagement & Partnerships

• System Liaison: Represent the agency at regional Continuum of Care (CoC) meetings, coordinated entry briefings, and community stakeholder forums.
• Resource Development: Keep the team updated on shifting local housing policies, new affordable housing openings, and community resource updates.

Experience & Education

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field (equivalent experience may be considered).
• Experience: Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in housing navigation, homeless services, or case management, with at least 1 year of demonstrated leadership or mentorship experience within a team.
• Systems Knowledge: High proficiency with HMIS and a strong understanding of HUD guidelines, Housing First principles, and Harm Reduction models.

Core Competencies

• Leadership: Proven ability to motivate, guide, and support peers in a high-stress environment.
• Crisis De-escalation: Exceptional skills in trauma-informed care and managing volatile or emotionally charged situations.
• Negotiation: Strong sales and negotiation skills to recruit and retain landlords who may be hesitant to rent to vulnerable populations.
• Organization: Advanced time-management and data-tracking skills to balance direct client work with administrative oversight.

Working Conditions

• Requires a mix of office-based administrative tasks and community-based field work (e.g., meeting clients, inspecting properties, attending community meetings).
• Reliable transportation, a valid driver's license, and clean driving record