Job description

Families In Transition of Santa Cruz County, Inc.

www.fitsantacruz.org

JOB TITLE: CHAMP Housing Navigator

STATUS: Full-Time Position/35 hour work week

PAY RATE: $21 hourly, $22 after 90 day probation

FRINGE: Medical, Dentaland Paid Vacation after 90 days, 18 Paid Holidays/Flexible scheduling available

To Apply: email Cover Letter and Resume to Info@fitsantacruz.orgPlease include job title, “CHAMP Housing Navigator” in subject line

Come and join our team! Families In Transition (FIT) is a private non-profit agency which offers services and supports which promote housing stability to families and young adults who are experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of becoming homeless. For 25 years and counting FIT has been in the business of ending and preventing homelessness in Santa Cruz County and has successfully housed over 2,000 families. FIT operates on the premise that partnerships with stakeholders (government, service providers, businesses, employers, educators, landlords and participants) fosters a strong foundation on which families and young adults who participate in FIT programs can gain skills and tools which lead to increased housing stability, family investment in self-reliance and a healthier community.

Position Summary:
The CalWORKS Housing Assistance Move-in Program (CHAMP) is funded by the state Housing Support Program through a grant from the Human Services Department of Santa Cruz County and is operated in partnership with the Human Services Department, Families In Transition and the Homeless Services Center. The CHAMP/FIT Housing Navigator will be an employee of Families In Transition with direct supervision provided by FIT.

The CHAMP/FIT Housing Navigator is responsible for recruiting landlords from the private market in order to locate and secure tenant based permanent housing which meets participant family needs and passes inspection and documentation requirements. The CHAMP/FIT Housing Navigator works closely with landlords, participating families, FIT staff, the Human Services Department of Santa Cruz County, and the Homeless Services Center to ensure that eligible families are offered appropriate housing search supports and secure permanent stable housing within the time limits outlined in the Scope of Work.

Housing Navigator Duties:

Conduct landlord outreach, engagement and negotiations as necessary to meet performance outcomes of 35 new CHAMP eligible families who secure tenant based permanent housing during the project year.

Utilize the Housing Preference form as a guide to help inform participant housing choice of available units.

Stay apprised of landlord tenant issues, including each parties’ rights and responsibilities.

Conduct inspections to ensure that all potential housing units meet safety and habitability standards.

Provide participating families with assistance in completing rental applications, preparing for open houses and landlord meetings and work with the participants to develop the skills and tools necessary to understand their lease, their rights and responsibilities as tenants and advocate for themselves during landlord negotiations.

Participate in the regular CalWORKS CHAMP case conferencing and other meetings as requested by FIT and HSD.
Preparation of reports which include, but are not limited to the following data: rent, subsidy and participant amounts, occupancy rate, participant demographic information and program eligibility and socio-economic data.

Communicate closely and frequently with all members of the team to improve systems, solve problems, share resources, and coordinate work.

Maintain confidentiality at all times.
Other Duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Requires high level of professionalism
• Bilingual English & Spanish REQUIRED
• Experience with culturally diverse populations
• Must be passionate about working with landlords and participant families in order to support efforts towards self-reliance
• Must be highly motivated and self-directed
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills

Ability to work independently, effectively as an individual and part of the team.

• Ability to use discretion and independent judgment.
• Communicate effectively with a variety of individuals representing diverse cultures and function calmly in situations that require a high degree of sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy.
• Ability to meet deadlines and handle crises.
• Background check is required.

Special Requirement: This position requires the employee to be able to travel to various sites throughout Santa Cruz County. Employee must have a valid state driver’s license and insurance by time of hire. A reliable vehicle for travel is required.

The following qualifications are a plus but, not required:

Professional experience in real estate or related fields and demonstrated experience in rental housing programs for low income, special needs individuals and families; strong knowledge of the Santa Cruz County housing market and geography and; knowledge of federal, state and local fair housing laws.

Salary and Benefits

• Salary $21 per hour, $22 after 90 probation, based on experience
• Full-time, 35 hours per week
• 18 Paid holidays annually. After 90 days - generous paid time off, Retirement with discretionary employer contributions, Life and Long-term disability insurance, employer paid medical and dental insurance.
• Family and school friendly, flexible scheduling available

Notice: This job description is a general description of essential job functions. It is not intended as an employment contract, nor is it intended to describe all duties someone in this position may perform. Families In Transition is an equal opportunity employer which does not discriminate based on age, race, disability, national origin, ethnicity, religion, color, ancestry, veteran status, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, HIV status or any other non-merit based criteria.

To Apply: Interested persons should fax (831)728-9793 or email Cover Letter and Resume to Info@fitsantacruz.org

Please include the job title, “CHAMP Housing Navigator:” in the subject heading. Due to the volume of responses, only qualified parties will be contacted.

No phone calls, please.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $21.00 - $22.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Choose your own hours
• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Watsonville, CA 95076: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Experience:

• Case management: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Watsonville, CA 95076

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