Senior Program Specialist (Housing Navigator)

Community Services and Employment Training, Inc.; Visalia (CA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Community Services and Employment Training, Inc. in Visalia, CA is seeking a Senior Program Specialist to provide housing stability case management for homeless or at-risk individuals enrolled in CSET housing programs.

The role involves intake assessments, Housing First-based plans, landlord advocacy, ongoing case management, and data tracking in HMIS/Apricot, with emphasis on compliance and collaboration with partners.

Qualifications

• Two years of full-time experience in housing services, case management, or homeless services.
• Ability to assess risk and coordinate services.
• Knowledge of Housing First principles.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills.
• Ability to work with diverse populations.

Responsibilities

• Provides housing stability case management to homeless or at-risk-of-homelessness individuals & families enrolled in CSET housing programs.
• Conducts intake assessments and implements individualized housing stability and safety plans in collaboration with participants, emphasizing Housing First principles.
• Provides participants with landlord advocacy and housing navigation assistance.
• Provides ongoing case management, including home visits, tenant engagement, and coordination of supportive services necessary to maintain housing.
• Provides education to participants regarding lease obligations, tenant rights and responsibilities, and program requirements.
• Coordinates with landlords, property managers, and housing partners to address tenancy issues, unit habitability concerns, inspections, and lease compliance.
• Responds to housing-related crises, including risk of eviction & housing destabilization.
• Maintains accurate, timely, and compliant documentation, including case notes, incident reports, housing plans, and outcome tracking.
• Ensures compliance with state regulations and CSET housing policies and procedures.
• Participates in case conferencing, housing case reviews, and coordinated entry-related activities as required.
• Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with community partners, behavioral health providers, legal services, and housing authorities to support housing retention.
• Provides housing navigation and problem-solving support as needed to prevent housing loss.
• Performs other housing-related duties

Skills

Communication skills

Housing navigation

Case management

Crisis intervention

Client engagement

Tools

HMIS/Apricot

Job description

SCOPE OF WORK

The Senior ProgramSpecialistprovideshousing stability case management and navigation services to homeless and at-risk-of-homelessness individuals and families enrolled in CSET housing programs. This positionsis responsible for conducting intake assessments, developing individualized housing stability and safety plans grounded in Housing First principles, and delivering ongoing case management, landlord advocacy, and crisis response to prevent housing loss, while ensuring accurate documentation and compliance with program and regulatory requirements.

Under the guidance of the Senior Program Coordinator, the Senior Program Specialist administers housing-related assistance programs, completes monthly reporting required by programs, and compiles, maintains, and analyzes housing program data to demonstrate outcomes, compliance, and effectiveness.

ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Provides housing stability case management services to homeless or at-risk-of-homelessness individuals & families enrolled in CSET housing programs.
• Conducts intake assessments and implements individualized housing stability and safety plans in collaboration with participants, emphasizing Housing First principles.
• Provides participants with landlord advocacy and housing navigation assistance.
• Provides ongoing case management, including home visits, tenant engagement, and coordination of supportive services necessary to maintain housing.
• Provides education to participants regarding lease obligations, tenant rights and responsibilities, and program requirements.
• Coordinates with landlords, property managers, and housing partners to address tenancy issues, unit habitability concerns, inspections, and lease compliance.
• Responds to housing-related crises, including risk of eviction & housing destabilization.
• Maintains accurate, timely, and compliant documentation, including case notes, incident reports, housing plans, and outcome tracking.
• Ensures compliance with state regulations and CSET housing policies and procedures.
• Participates in case conferencing, housing case reviews, and coordinated entry-related activities as required.
• Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with community partners, behavioral health providers, legal services, and housing authorities to support housing retention.
• Provides housing navigation and problem-solving support as needed to prevent housing loss.
• Performs other housing-related duties

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Administers housing-related assistance programs (Rental & utility assistance, interim housing, and other support services)
• Completes monthly reporting required by programs.
• Compiles, maintains, and analyzes housing program data to demonstrate outcomes, compliance, and effectiveness.

SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to clearly explain housing services, tenant rights, and program requirements.
• Strong knowledge of community housing needs and systems serving individuals
• experiencing chronic homelessness.
• Ability to assess risk, exercise sound judgment, and respond appropriately to housing-related
• safety concerns.
• Skill in short-range planning, organization, and prioritization of high-acuity caseloads.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral form.
• Specialized Case Management Skills:

• Comprehensive client assessment and individualized service planning
• Trauma-informed, strengths-based practice
• Crisis intervention and de-escalation
• Navigation of complex systems (housing, benefits, healthcare, legal, workforce)
• Eligibility screening and documentation compliance
• Motivational interviewing and client engagement
• Cultural humility and linguistically responsive service delivery
• Coordination of multidisciplinary care teams and referrals
• Risk assessment and safety planning
• Data entry, case notes, and outcomes tracking in HMIS/Apricot systems
• Confidentiality, ethical decision-making, and boundary management
• Advocacy and resource leveraging for high-barrier populations
• Monitoring progress, reassessment, and case closure planning

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Two years of full-time experience (or equivalent) in housing services, case management, or homeless services; or

An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential housing-related duties of the position.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents; Ability to write routine reports and correspondence; Ability to speak effectively with groups of customers or employees of the organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to calculate figures for recording & tracking purposes; Ability to apply basic recordkeeping principles.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written and oral form;

Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

: California Driver's License, and proof of auto insurance.

WORK CONDITIONS & ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. This position is typically situated in a standard office environment, resulting in little exposure to the weather and requiring no unusual physical abilities. Must be able to sit, walk, and stand for long periods.

• Must have the visual ability to perform detailed work at close distances (computer screens).
• Must be able to bend, stoop, and reach. Must be able to exert physical effort in light to moderate work involving lifting up to 25lbs, carrying, pushing, and pulling.
• Must be able to read, understand, and explain various forms of written material.

COMPENSATION

Pay Range: $21.36 – $22.88 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience. This position is classified as Non-Exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is eligible for overtime pay in accordance with California and federal law.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

CSET is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

CSET complies with the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Fair Chance Act. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants and employees with disabilities upon request.