Human Services Case Manager - Housing Navigator

Job Title:  Human Services Case Manager - Housing Navigator

Closing Date/Time:  Thu. 09/28/23 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Salary:  $46,097.00 - $69,145.00 Annually

Job Type:  Full Time

Location:  Port Richey, Florida

Department:  Community Services

General Description:

                Join our team as a Human Services Case Manager - Housing Navigator! 
This role involves professional social work with a focus on real estate, housing connections, case management, and assisting to locate affordable housing for housing insecure citizens in the County's Community Services Department, Human Services Division. This is a two year grant funded position. 

Essential Job Functions: The Housing Navigator (HSHN) will assist persons experiencing housing insecurities to break the cycle of homelessness. The HSHN will do this by connecting clients who need to rapidly obtain permanent housing with the appropriate housing opportunities and agencies who can fund those housing needs. This position will also help clients access necessary stabilization services via direct case management and the utilization of partner agencies, funding sources, and local not-for-profit or faith-based entities. The HSHN is responsible for working collaboratively with case managers, partner agencies, housing authorities, county agencies, and the Continuum of Care (COC) to identify housing opportunities for homeless individuals and families. 

The position is required to actively seek-out, obtain, and maintain relationships with landlords, prospective property owners and managers throughout Pasco County. As a member of the Human Services team, the navigator will also interface with the Pasco County Continuum of Care and all its partner agencies. The navigator will attend “By Name List” meetings and provide information on available units to agencies with clients looking for housing who have been referred from the Coordinated Entry System. Other essential duties are as follows:
•    Conduct initial housing assessments for clients who are referred to the program to determine an appropriate level of housing intervention and placement opportunities.
•    Proactively seek out new housing opportunities and resources to assist families and singles with housing.
•    Maintain on-going relationships with landlords and other housing providers, including acting as a liaison between landlord and client as needed.
•    Maintain a Landlord Directory to include documentation of all contacts with housing providers. 
•    Provide consistent updates on housing availability.
•    Develop plans and negotiate, “master leasing” arrangements with landlords.
•    Maintain and update data for rapid re-housing programs, documentation of trainings, budgets, housing contacts and other pertinent information in accordance with agency and best practice standards.
•    Help provide access to resources to assist clients as needed during their move into permanent housing (This may include connecting them with case managers for accessing rental assistance money, donated furnishings, and coordinating with volunteer movers).
•    Demonstrate proficiency in HMIS database and other software as required. 
•    Develop and maintain knowledge of information on housing assistance programs.
•    Educate landlords on how the short/medium-term rental subsidy program works including timeframe and potential payment breakdown.
•    Educate landlords on the Section 8 program and other long-term subsidy programs. 
•    Educate clients regarding tenant rights and responsibilities, housing discrimination, finding and securing rental housing, communication with landlords and fair housing.

Performs related work as required.

 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of social service work.
• Knowledge of County laws, rules, and regulations related to the providing of public assistance and medical care.
• Knowledge of related social service activities.
• Ability to achieve rapport and to establish effective relationships with applicants, their relatives, other interested persons, and community human service providers.
• Ability to prepare complete, concise, meaningful, and accurate written reports and maintain Case Worker notes in client files.
• Ability to establish and maintain good relations with fellow employees and the public.

 Minimum Requirements:

PHYSICAL SKILLS:  Ability to communicate effectively using verbal, written and visual communication.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Science or related field OR an Associate degree and two (2 ) years' of experience in property management, housing management, and/or real estate, including negotiation and advocacy required. Experience in conducting group training and working with diverse and vulnerable populations preferred. Proficiency in Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), data-tracking system, or database management, and Microsoft Office Suite preferred. Bilingual in Spanish/English preferred.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS OR REGISTRATIONS:  Must possess a valid Florida Driver's License.

ADA STATEMENT: A qualified employee or applicant with a disability may be afforded a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential job functions of a position in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE:  Pasco County BOCC is a drug-free workplace in accordance with Federal and Florida law.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE/RECOVERY ACTIVITIES:  All employees will be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE: Under Section 295.07, F.S., Chapter SSA-7, Pasco County BCC provides to Veterans, that preference in appointment will be given to preference-eligible applicants.

PASCO COUNTY WAS VOTED ONE OF THE NATION'S TOP WORK PLACES FOR 2021