Benefits:

401(k)
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Vision insurance

Job Purpose/Summary

The primary role of the Housing Navigator is to help the American Indian/Alaska Native community in Orange County achieve stable housing. The Housing Navigator is responsible for assisting clients in navigating housing systems, identifying suitable housing options, and overcoming barriers to securing stable housing. The navigator works closely with landlords, housing providers, and social service agencies to ensure successful placements and retention. This role involves case management, advocacy, and ongoing support to help clients achieve and maintain housing stability.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Client Assessment and Support:

Conduct intake assessments to determine client housing needs, eligibility for assistance programs, and potential barriers to securing housing.
Develop individualized plans outlining steps towards achieving permanent housing.
Assist clients in gathering necessary documentation for housing applications.
Ensure clients are connected to supportive services (e.g., financial counseling, legal aid, mental health services) to address any challenges to long-term housing stability.

Housing Search and Navigation:

Provide clients with information on available housing options, rental assistance programs, and subsidies.
Assist clients in searching for suitable housing units, scheduling viewings, and negotiating with landlords or property managers.
Build and maintain relationships with landlords and housing providers to identify available units and advocate on behalf of clients.

Case Management and Documentation:

Maintain detailed case notes and track client progress in a case management system.
Monitor housing retention and provide follow-up support to prevent evictions or housing instability.
Provide education and resources to clients on tenant rights, budgeting, and other housing-related matters.

Advocacy and Problem-Solving:

Advocate for clients facing discrimination, housing barriers, or legal challenges.
Help clients navigate housing authorities, subsidy programs, and governmental housing systems.
Work with local shelters, substance abuse recovery programs and low-income housing programs to advocate for Housing Project clients to access affordable and safe housing in Orange County.

Administrative:

Attend meetings in-person and virtual
Travel required
Provide staff support and help resolve challenges, including technical, training or software issues

Other Duties:

Other duties as assigned or required to fulfill the mission of Sacred Path.

Experience & Qualifications

3-5 yrs of experience in housing services, case management or related social services role
Strong understanding of local housing laws, rental markets & housing assistance programs
Passion for transforming lives of people in the community
Excellent problem-solving and interpersonal skills
Ability to monitor the program’s clients to ensure the program meets key success measures
Effectively maintain accurate records and reporting client outcomes.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related field preferred.

License/Certifications: None

Patient Care and Customer Service

Deliver exceptional customer service to clients and their families, addressing inquiries, concerns, and complaints in a timely and compassionate manner.
Resolve any issues related to patient care or service delivery, escalate matters as needed.

Communication/Interpersonal Skills

Interact with people in a professional and respectful manner, both verbally and in writing.
Some key skills in this area include active listening, clear verbal/written communication, empathy, compassion, cultural humility, conflict resolution, problem-solving, collaboration, time-management, advocacy, resilience, adaptability and adhering to ethical standards such as confidentiality.

Technology Skills
Must be able to use a computer or laptop to complete needed tasks for a job.

Excel, Word, Google Workspace (Sheets, Docs), iPad, electronic health record.
Utilize technology tools for virtual meetings (as appropriate)
Maintain accurate and up-to-date client records, ensuring data accuracy, security, and adherence to privacy regulations to safeguard sensitive client information.

Position Qualification Preferences

Experience working with the American Indian/Alaska Native community.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are typical of those an employee will encounter while performing the primary functions of this job. Normal office conditions exist, and the noise level in the work environment can vary from low to moderate.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described are typical of those required by an employee to perform the primary functions of this job successfully. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk frequently, sit, bend, twist, talk, and hear. There are prolonged periods of sitting, keyboarding, reading, as well. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include reading, distance, computer, and color vision. Talking and hearing are essential to communicate with vendors, and staff.

Mental Demands

There are various deadlines associated with this position. The employee must also multi-task and interact with many people on a variety of issues that are at times, very complicated issues.

Performance Expectations

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties, all employees of Sacred Path are expected to conform to the following:

Uphold professional ethics and confidentiality in handling sensitive information and maintaining client privacy.
Adhere to all relevant policies, procedures, and regulations, ensuring compliance with healthcare and social service industry standards and best practices.
Interact in an honest, trustworthy, and dependable manner with clients, employees, and vendors, keeping in mind the primary purpose of client care and safety.
Possess cultural awareness and sensitivity
Demonstrate proficiency in the essential job duties and responsibilities, consistently meeting or exceeding performance targets and quality standards.

Other Requirements

Eligible to work in the United States
Pass fingerprint clearance
Maintain annual negative TB test results on file
Pass a post-offer drug test
Possess/maintain a reliable vehicle with valid CA driver’s license & active auto insurance
Available to work evenings and weekends, as needed
Willing to travel, as needed (travel time could range from 30 - 40%)

Flexible work from home options available.

Compensation: $28.00 - $31.00 per hour

Sacred Path Indigenous Wellness Center was developed to contribute to the wellness of American Indian/Alaska Native communities by engaging key strategies to provide much needed culturally-relevant, integrated, trauma responsive health and behavioral health services, conduct community-based participatory research, and provide technical assistance, training and consultative services to other tribal and urban Native organizations.

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