Basic Needs Jobs in Massachusetts (NOW HIRING)

Description

DEPARTMENT: Youth Programs and Workforce Development

POSITION TITLE: Rapid Rehousing Navigator

LOCATION: Primary worksite: 154 Federal Street, Greenfield

To include regular work in Hampshire County and Franklin/North Quabbin 

Occasional Remote Work from Home 

STATUS: Non-Exempt

SUPERVISOR: Economic Stability Coordinator

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Rapid Rehousing Navigator is responsible for direct service to youth and young adults (YYA) 18-24 who are experiencing houselessness or are at risk of houselessness. The Navigation and Rapid Rehousing program provides case management and financial support appropriate to address immediate housing needs. The navigator connects youth and young adults to resources and benefits in the community; additionally supports access to safe, affordable, and sustainable housing. This position provides direct participant services. The navigator is responsible for understanding regulations and eligibility, data collection, and submission. 

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBLIITIES:

1. Connect with local (Franklin County) youth serving organizations, schools and communities to find and connect with youth and young adults who are experiencing homelessness and address their barriers to stable housing.
2. Build and maintain relationships and work closely with community providers to support housing stability for youth and young adults, including access to benefits, food, employment services and other basic needs.
3. Develop and maintain positive relationships with local landlords to secure housing for participants and provide support in addressing situations as they arise.
4. Support youth and young adults in finding an apartment and ensure proper disbursement of Rapid Rehousing funds.
5. Support participants in building habits and skills to be responsible tenants, including effective communication, appropriate maintenance of the space and following expectations of the lease.
6. Support participants in understanding tenants' rights
7. Provide short-term follow-up and advocacy after housing placement to address immediate concerns and mediate any obstacles to continuous tenancy.
8. Make referrals to local resources and connect participants to other area CoC's if necessary.
9. Complete housing assessments with participants and provider updates to partners and funders and advocate for participants during case conferencing.
10. Respond in a timely manner to all referrals through case conferencing and work with the referring agency to coordinate warm handoffs.
11. Provide case management to participants to support navigating the housing process and to ensure continuity of care.
12. Support individuals to create and manage a personal budget to sustain housing and increase financial independence.
13. Provide ongoing and as needed case management to reduce barriers and support access to employment, education, benefits and basic needs.
14. Attend regional meetings with other providers to connect youth and young adults with the appropriate resources and provide regional team engagement services. 
15. Responsible for data, understanding grant parameters, regulations, including disbursement of funds with support from the Economic Stability Coordinator.
16. Complete documentation requirements including assessments, progress notes, data entry, and other required reports
17. Complete and maintain weekly work schedules, regular data entry, detailed monthly reports, monthly calendars, and other required documents within established timelines.
18. Required to travel regularly throughout the program and agency service area, to all Community Action sites and service locations, and occasionally out of the service area.
19. Required to work early evenings; occasional later evenings and weekends; flexible schedule required at times.
20. Remote work available complying with the agency's policy.
21. Comply with the agency and funders' paperwork requirements and procedures.
22. Attend regularly scheduled supervision meetings, staff and department-wide meetings, mandatory agency training, and participate in professional development activities.
23. Other reasonable duties as assigned by Manager and/or Director

This does not cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may be adjusted to meet the operational needs of the agency.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following competencies:  

• Interpersonal communication - verbal and written.  
• Conflict resolution, problem-solving, establishing priorities, and navigating change.  
• Judgement and decision-making 
• Practiced organizational skills and attention to detail. 
• Ability to work independently and to complete projects in a timely manner in a fast-paced environment.
• Openness to understanding participants as experts of their own varied experiences and identities. 
• Skillful relationship building with participants, staff, and community members.
• Ability to engage, communicate, and work effectively with diverse youth and young adults, parents, co-workers, school staff, and other service providers. 
• An understanding and willingness to talk about issues using an approach that is positive, engaging, accessible, and inclusive, such as Positive Youth Development and harm reduction. 
• A balance of initiative to work independently and collaboration to work with others.
• Understanding and willingness to learn data capture and tracking methods 

Key Knowledge and Experience:

• Knowledge of social services, advocacy, and navigating resources  
• Knowledge of Franklin and Hampshire counties and North Quabbin regional organizations and resources  
• Experience working with youth and young adults, individually, and in groups.
• Experience with Positive Youth Development approach and programs.
• Experience building effective collaborations and working with community partnerships or coalitions. 
• Experience working with youth/young adults who have low incomes, are young parents, are youth of color, queer, trans, disabled, and/or housing insecure. 
• Experience with data management, data capture, tracking methods and analysis for outcome measurements.  
• Computer skills (Microsoft Suite-Outlook Email, Calendar, and Teams chat, Discord, Zoom, and databases 

To Qualify

Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills:   

• Three years of experience working with youth/young adults, providing individual support/case management 
• CPR/First aid (will provide if needed - must obtain within three months of hire)
• Reliable transportation, Valid MA Driver's License, and ability to travel throughout Western Massachusetts. 

We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.? We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying. Please be clear and specific in application materials how your background, experience, and transferable skills are relevant to this position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

The physical demands and work environment described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Requires sitting for extended periods.
• Working in office environment.
• Some bending and stretching required.
• Extensive use of telephone required.
• Manual dexterity required for use of calculator and computer keyboard.
• Must be able to lift from 20 - 40 lbs.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include vision, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• The work environment includes indoor office environments or comparable spaces, and community spaces, with occasional exposure to outdoor weather when traveling to outreach or meeting sites. The noise level varies by site.

AA/EOE/ADA

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of Criminal Offender Record check (C.O.R.I.) prior to hire and every three years. Evidence of a good driving record and ability to be covered under Community Action's non-owned and hired vehicle policy.