Housing Locator - Supportive Housing - Agate Housing and Services

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

Agate Housing and Services is an innovative and collaborative nonprofit organization whose mission is to end homelessness and relieve hunger through action and advocacy. We progress toward this goal by providing emergency services, shelter, and housing programs for individuals and families. We meet people experiencing homelessness where they are and accompany them on their journey to safe, stable housing and a healthier life. We believe that housing is a basic human right.

Agate Housing and Services values are:

Integrity: Consistently doing the right thing even if it isn't the popular thing.

Equity: Fighting the status quo by actively examining and changing the way things are done to better represent the people who are most impacted by homelessness and hunger.

Humanity: Understanding how these issues impact us- the community, our staff, and the people we work with- as a collective and developing relationships by establishing trust when we put in work to understand the needs of people experiencing homelessness and hunger.

Creativity: Responding to the needs of the community with innovative and unique solutions.

Agate Housing and Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer/AAE, offering competitive pay and exceptional benefits including; medical insurance, employer paid dental and life insurance, short term disability, 4 weeks of paid time off in the first year of employment, and a 401k retirement savings with an employer match.

POSITION DESCRIPTION & OVERVIEW

The Housing Locator will work with and support homeless single adults in our Single Adult Supportive Housing programs to promote their acceptance into fair market rental housing. This position will operate within the housing search process for program participants by maintaining regular contact with landlords currently working with the program and developing relationships with new landlords.

The Housing Locator, in conjunction with Manager of Housing Location will develop, maintain, and grow relationships with landlords and community partners to achieve the primary goal of Housing First, which is accessing housing quickly and supporting housing stability. The Single Adult Supportive Housing Locator will also inspect housing for initial move in and annual recertification as a certified Housing Quality Standards Specialist.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND EXPECTATIONS

• Assist participants and staff with housing search efforts for program participants including holding daily drop in hours for clients, scheduling showings, transporting participants to those showings and assisting in completing applications with program participants.
• Provide feedback to staff about what works with the current system as well as research other practices that might enhance the current service delivery system.
• Maintain regular contact with landlords currently known to Agate while seeking out new landlords and housing providers willing to house homeless clients.
• Understand and research trends in the Metropolitan rental market.
• Search rental housing databases (Craigslist, Housing Link, Trulia, etc.) to find vacancies.
• Maintain regular case notes on client interactions and weekly updates on clients' housing process.
• Network with other agencies, community groups, housing providers and individuals to find housing.
• Build relationships with landlords willing to provide housing for participants.
• Assist participant with completion of necessary forms to access housing.
• Either individually or in a group setting, review with each participant: renter expectations, living skills, renter/landlord conflict resolution, and tenant rights.
• Enhance the curriculum for and teach tenant skills classes for participants.
• Communicate and coordinate services with all other Supportive Housing staff.
• Attend and participate in team meetings.
• Attend and participate in community and neighborhood association meetings
• Participate in Hennepin County Housing First community meetings and trainings.
• As requested, assist the Welcome Center at the front desk with reception duties.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS POSITION

• Sedentary work - Sitting most of the time with occasional walking. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally.
• Must be able to attend apartment showings with clients, including units that may only be accessible by climbing stairs

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree or minimum four years of experience in similar role.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Products.
• Good problem solving and conflict resolution skills.
• Proficiency in multi-tasking while maintaining accuracy.
• Must have valid MN Driver's License and pass background check.
• Demonstrated ability to network via email, telephone, and in person as well as the ability to "cold call" potential new landlords.
• Experience in direct service with long-term homeless populations required.
• Ability to become qualified to complete Housing Quality Standards Inspections within the first 90 days of employment.

In addition, successful applicants will embrace the following perspective, skills and abilities:

• Commitment to Agate Housing and Services' values and mission of ending homelessness and relieving hunger through action and advocacy.
• Commitment to working towards an anti-racist culture both within Agate Housing and Services and the broader community.
• Hold the belief that every household can achieve housing stability.
• Commitment to harm reduction and housing first philosophies.
• Ability to work respectfully with clients, coworkers, and key stakeholders who are diverse with respect to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and religion.
• Ability to establish rapport quickly with people experiencing a crisis through use of trauma informed care, client centered care, and strengths-based approaches.
• Ability to meet expectations regarding paperwork and documentation through organizational skills, a strong attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently and accurately, competency and comfort using technology and computers.

Experience that gives applicants the required skills, abilities, and perspectives listed above are commonly gained through one or more of the following:

• Personal experience with homelessness;
• Experience working, interning, or volunteering with people experiencing homelessness;
• An Associates, Bachelor's, or Master's degree in a relevant field such as Social Work (with accompanying licensure), Human Services, or Family Studies.

We encourage applicants with lived experience to apply. However, if you have received services from Agate Housing and Services within the last two years this will make you ineligible for employment.

This position requires use of your own personal vehicle for Agency business and will be required to maintain liability insurance coverage of at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence. In addition to criminal background studies, applicants must have a valid Driver's License and pass a driving record background check.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience and understanding of rental procedures, landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities and property management experience preferred.
• Ability to negotiate landlord-tenant issues, history of working with landlords, and community housing resources.
• Bilingual skills preferred but not required.
• Knowledge of Housing First and Harm Reduction principles.

REFERRAL BONUS PROGRAM

Do you know someone who you think would be a good fit for a position at our organization? Please refer them! Agate Housing and Services offers a $250 bonus to employees who refer qualified candidates for current openings. The referring candidate must clearly state the name of the employee who referred them in the section of the application that requests this information.

The Referral Bonus Form must be submitted to Human Resources no later than 30 days after the referred employees begin employment. Any Referral forms submitted after 30 days will not be processed.

To be eligible for rewards, candidates must be hired as permanent full or part-time employees (this excludes on-call, employees, temporary employees, interns or contract workers).

When applying for the position, candidates must clearly state the name of the current employee that referred them. The referral bonus will be paid out within one month of the candidate's six (6) month anniversary. There is no cap on the number of referrals bonuses an employee can receive!

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION

Visit agatemn.isolvedhire.com and select the opening for which you wish to apply. Submit your information under "Apply Now" and you will be directed to the full application, where you can upload your resume and cover letter. If you have previously created an account to apply for a position at Agate Housing and Services, log in to your account before attempting to apply for another position.

Applications will be accepted until position is filled. Qualified applicants will be selected for interviews as applications are received. No phone calls please.

Agate Housing and Services is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and strives to promote an environment that is diverse and inclusive where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. Employees actively participate in various committees that give voice to staff to create active participation and involvement in shaping the future of our agency.

Agate Housing and Services is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from people of color, indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals.