This recruitment will remain open until a sufficient number of applications are received.

The City reserves the right to limit the applications to the first 50 applicants.

This recruitment may close at any time; apply immediately.

This is a grant-funded position.

The City of Norwalk is currently seeking a Housing Liaison with experience in social services, shelter placement, Clarity (HMIS) and housing advocacy. The Housing Liaison, under supervision, will assess clients' housing needs and create individualized plans to help them achieve housing stability. If you are passionate about assisting others in overcoming housing challenges, we encourage you to apply.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This classification provides case management and housing location services for assigned program participants; collaborates, provides outreach, and engagement services to conduct interventions; assesses and links individuals and families to long-term housing, health, mental health, and other supportive services.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general supervision of the Social Services Superintendent.

Essential duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

Conducts daily street outreach in encampments, riverbeds, and any locations where people experiencing homelessness temporary resides to develop relationships, build rapport, conduct interviews, and assess the needs for housing. Collects through phone, home, community, and office contacts and assesses client information; coordinates plans to address housing needs with social service and community agencies.
Provides street-based case management and navigation services to assist clients and their families obtain housing stability.
Assists clients with housing applications, completes supportive and subsidized housing paperwork, surveys rental market for affordable housing, and advocates for clients with prospective landlords.
Establishes professional networks with landlords, renter associations, property management companies, and other local housing providers to identify potential rental properties and provide permanent housing options for clients.
Develops and monitors individual housing case plans with each client to mitigate barriers to housing stability; works collaboratively with employment case managers to create comprehensive case plans that may include the need for specialized social services.
Maintains thorough case documentation for each assigned client; updates and maintains client records; gathers and compiles data from written and multi-agency specific computer software for reporting purposes; develops summary records and prepares reports.
Responds in a timely manner to request for street outreach services and sends follow-up information to the requestor and supervisor.
Expands expertise in the field of service through participation in educational opportunities; attends multi-disciplinary HOPE team and task force meetings to develop collaborative efforts in service delivery.
Develops and maintains strong ties to homelessness prevention service providers. Works alongside law enforcement, non-profit organizations, homeless service providers, the City entities service providers to ensure transition from street living to interim or permanent housing. Collaborates with community substance abuse and mental health providers to ensure seamless referral services.
Maintains confidentiality of client files per HIPAA and all applicable guidelines.
Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships. Provides high quality customer service for clients and collaborating with partner agencies. Emergency callouts and the ability to work evenings and weekends may be required.
Conducts street outreach at the Metro Green line on a weekly basis or as assigned.
Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) knowledgeable.
Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of: methods and techniques of social work and case management.

Ability to: Be organized, detail-oriented, collaborate, and able to assume responsibility quickly and independently. Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, conflict resolution, and verbal and written communication skills. Ability to use good judgment, prioritize tasks, critical thinking, and delegate them when appropriate. Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, ethically, and confidentiality. Strong knowledge of homelessness prevention services and resources. Commitment to the organization's mission and comfortable working with all cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Strong ability to communicate diplomatically and clearly and provide trauma-informed and culturally competent assistance to tenants. Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills. Self-motivated, willing to learn, able to meet deadlines, and can exercise sound independent judgment. Prior housing navigation or housing case management experience is desirable. The ability to speak Spanish is required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education and experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for satisfactory job performance. Example combinations include: A combination of 30 semester or 45 quarter units in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Child Development, Gerontology, Vocational Counseling, or a closely related field or (3) years of case management work experience in public, non-profit, or private social services agency.

REQUIRED LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

Possession or ability to obtain an appropriate California Driver's License and a satisfactory driving record at the time of appointment.

The physical demands and work environment described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform basic functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Employees perform sedentary work. While performing the duties of this job, employees are required to sit, talk and hear. Employees must frequently move and walk to various locations, stand, kneel, twist, bend, stoop, crouch, and reach with hands and arms. Employees often must lift and move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by these positions are those required to perform office machine operations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Employees must work in the field with occasional exposure to outdoor weather and driving conditions. Hostile or angry clients are regularly encountered at riverbeds, parks, encampments, and more.

SELECTION PROCESS

Apply online at http://www.norwalkca.gov/city-hall/departments/human-resources . An employment application must be completed. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a City application. Applicants must be specific in describing qualifications for this position on application. Failure to state all pertinent information may lead to elimination from consideration. Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application. Faxed materials or postmarks will not be accepted. Applications will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in the job announcement. Candidates with qualifications that best relate to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process. Possession of the minimum qualifications does not ensure continuation in the selection process. The selection process will include an oral interview and other testing processes designed to predict successful job performance.

The City provides preference to military veterans under consideration for initial employment. To claim a veteran's preference an applicant must submit their most recent DD214 form. An eligible veteran is one who has served in the United States armed forces and who has received an honorable discharge.

Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities may be requested by calling the Department of Human Resources at least three (3) business days prior to the scheduled examination/interview date. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

The City of Norwalk, in compliance with all applicable Federal and State laws, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, religion, disability, sex, or sexual orientation in its employment actions, policies, procedures or practices.

City of Norwalk (CA)

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Housing Liaison