Outreach Housing Navigator

Intuit, Inc.; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Job summary

HERO Community Services in Hawthorne is seeking a dedicated Housing Navigator / Outreach Case Manager to guide participants through housing processes and provide field-based outreach in Hawthorne. You will support assessment, documentation, housing applications, and move‑in, while maintaining engagement with landlords and partners.

The role emphasizes trauma‑informed care, housing stability, and strong collaboration with city staff and service providers.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of experience in housing navigation, homeless services, field outreach, intensive case management, social services, or related field.
• Ability to guide participants through housing assessment, document readiness, unit search, application, lease‑up, move‑in, and housing retention processes.
• Working knowledge of Los Angeles County homeless response and housing systems, including LAHSA funded programs and housing authorities.
• Ability to develop relationships with landlords and property managers, conduct unit searches, address tenancy barriers, and mediate housing‑related concerns.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including timely case notes, housing plans, and outcome reporting.
• Must possess valid California driver’s license, maintain a clean driving record, and have reliable transportation.

Responsibilities

• Conduct housing-focused assessments and develop individualized housing plans with measurable steps and timelines.
• Support participants in obtaining identification, income verification, disability documentation, and application materials.
• Identify interim and permanent housing opportunities and match participants based on eligibility and needs.
• Assist with housing applications, coordinated entry activities, document submission, and lease‑up processes.
• Maintain regular contact with participants, landlords, and service providers through placement and stabilization.
• Provide tenancy education, landlord mediation, and housing‑retention support to reduce eviction risk.
• Conduct proactive field outreach in Hawthorne and surrounding areas.
• Coordinate with LAHSA, county departments, and housing providers to advance housing opportunities.
• Ensure services align with Housing First, trauma‑informed care, and equitable access principles.
• Maintain detailed records in HMIS and prepare monthly data/outcome reports.

Skills

Field engagement

Crisis intervention

Motivational interviewing

Advocacy

Professional boundaries

Education

Tools

HMIS

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Electronic records systems

Job description

Housing Navigator / Outreach Case Manager – Hawthorne Homeless Services

Organization: HERO Community Services (Housing Empowerment Recovery and Outreach)
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt / Full-Time
Work Schedule: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday. Schedule changes may be required to meet business needs, including infrequent Saturday or mid-shift coverage to support Hawthorne’s homelessness plan(s).

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance

About HERO Community Services

HERO Community Services (Housing Empowerment Recovery and Outreach) is a California-based 501(c)(3) recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, and substance use struggles. HERO is intentionally designed as a relationship-driven, right-sized organization that prioritizes quality, responsiveness, and dignity-centered care. We believe every person deserves to be seen, heard, and valued — and that everything begins with relationships.

Position Overview

The Housing Navigator / Outreach Case Manager for the Hawthorne Homeless Services Program serves in a dual role, with housing navigation as the primary job function and field-based outreach case management as an essential complementary responsibility. The position leads participants through the housing process from assessment and documentation readiness through housing search, application, lease‑up, move‑in, and stabilization.

Housing Navigation (Primary Function)

• Complete housing-focused assessments and develop individualized housing plans with measurable steps and timelines.
• Support participants in obtaining identification, income and benefit verification, disability documentation, and other materials required for housing applications.
• Identify appropriate interim and permanent housing opportunities and match participants based on eligibility, preferences, accessibility needs, and barriers.
• Assist with housing applications, coordinated entry activities, document submission, interviews, reasonable accommodation requests, and appeal or denial follow‑up.
• Conduct active landlord engagement, unit searches, property contacts, and housing‑location activities throughout Los Angeles County as needed.
• Coordinate inspections, deposits, move‑in assistance, furnishings, utility setup, and other lease‑up requirements.
• Maintain regular contact with participants, property owners, housing providers, and supportive‑service partners through placement and stabilization.
• Provide tenancy education, landlord mediation, and housing‑retention support to reduce the risk of eviction or a return to homelessness.

Field-Based Outreach & Case Management (Dual Role)

• Conduct proactive outreach in encampments, parks, public spaces, vehicles, shelters, and other non‑traditional settings in Hawthorne.
• Build rapport through consistent, respectful, trauma‑informed, culturally responsive, and non‑judgmental engagement.
• Conduct biopsychosocial and needs assessments and provide ongoing case management tied to each participant’s housing plan.
• Provide crisis intervention, de‑escalation, safety planning, and referrals to emergency or interim housing when needed.
• Connect participants to behavioral health care, substance use services, primary care, benefits, employment support, legal assistance, and other resources that advance housing stability.
• Transport or accompany participants to housing appointments, document appointments, viewings, service providers, and other essential engagements when authorized.
• Maintain active communication with Hawthorne city staff, local law enforcement partners, outreach teams, service providers, and community stakeholders while protecting participant confidentiality.
• Balance scheduled housing‑navigation work with flexible field response, participant follow‑up, and urgent case‑management needs.

Collaboration & Systems Coordination

• Participate in multidisciplinary case conferencing, coordinated entry activities, and interagency collaboration to identify and advance housing opportunities.
• Coordinate with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), Los Angeles County departments, housing authorities, interim housing providers, permanent supportive housing providers, property owners, and local nonprofit partners.
• Work effectively within Los Angeles County systems of care, including behavioral health, health services, public benefits, and homeless response programs.
• Attend data‑sharing meetings, community engagement events, and Hawthorne City Council meetings as assigned.
• Ensure service delivery aligns with Housing First, trauma‑informed care, harm reduction, motivational interviewing, participant choice, and equitable access principles.

Data & Documentation

• Maintain detailed, accurate records of all client interactions, services provided, and outcomes in designated systems (e.g., HMIS).
• Prepare and submit timely monthly data and outcome reports in accordance with HERO and Hawthorne requirements.
• Uphold confidentiality and comply with all HIPAA, agency, and contract‑specific data security standards.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of experience in housing navigation, homeless services, field outreach, intensive case management, social services, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to guide participants through housing assessment, document readiness, unit search, application, lease‑up, move‑in, and housing‑retention processes.
• Working knowledge of Los Angeles County homeless response and housing systems, including coordinated entry, LAHSA‑funded programs, interim housing, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, and housing‑authority processes.
• Ability to develop relationships with landlords and property managers, conduct unit searches, address tenancy barriers, and mediate housing‑related concerns.
• Strong field‑engagement, crisis‑intervention, de‑escalation, motivational interviewing, advocacy, and problem‑solving skills.
• Knowledge of Housing First, trauma‑informed care, harm reduction, participant‑centered planning, cultural humility, and professional boundaries.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including timely case notes, housing plans, application tracking, outcome reporting, and professional correspondence.
• Ability to manage a caseload, prioritize deadlines, maintain organized records, and coordinate across multiple agencies and systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Outlook, client databases, and electronic recordkeeping; ability to learn HMIS and other contract‑required systems.
• Ability to work independently in field settings and collaboratively with participants, landlords, city staff, County partners, health and behavioral health providers, and community organizations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Two or more years of housing navigation, housing location, homeless outreach, or intensive case‑management experience in Los Angeles County.
• Experience with HMIS, coordinated entry workflows, housing documentation, landlord engagement, housing applications, inspections, lease‑up, and housing‑retention services.
• Familiarity with LAHSA, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Department of Health Services, Department of Public Social Services, local housing authorities, and community‑based systems of care.
• Experience serving people with complex behavioral health, substance use, medical, disability, justice‑system, or chronic‑homelessness‑related needs.

Requirements

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must possess a valid California driver’s license and maintain a clean driving record.
• Must have reliable transportation; occasional use of personal vehicle may be required (mileage reimbursed).
• Must pass a Live Scan background check and criminal history clearance in accordance with applicable laws and program requirements. This position may be subject to statutory or contractual background restrictions for certain felony offenses. Employment eligibility is determined on a case‑by‑case basis consistent with legal standards and contractual obligations.
• Must provide proof of negative TB test (within the last 12 months) prior to hire and maintain current status thereafter.
• Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or provide valid exemption documentation consistent with applicable law.
• Experience serving people with complex behavioral health, substance use, medical, disability, justice‑system, or chronic‑homelessness‑related needs.

Work Environment

• Work is primarily conducted outdoors in field-based settings with minimal office time.
• Frequent travel within the Hawthorne.
• Requires walking, standing, and occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds.
• Flexible schedule may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed to meet participant and program needs.