Housing Specialist - Church World Service

About CWS:

Imagine waking up every morning with the chance to change someone's life. Imagine knowing your efforts will benefit both your career and our neighbors around the world. At CWS, our team knows they are making a difference every day. Whether you're in our U.S.-based offices supporting refugees, asylees or unaccompanied children ... implementing hygiene initiatives in Cambodia or rebuilding projects in Central America ... or even connecting remotely from your home on fundraising campaigns, grant reports, or critical communications - you have the opportunity to work towards a world where everyone has food, a voice and a safe place to call home.

Purpose:

The Housing Specialist is responsible for procuring safe, secure and affordable housing for newly arriving refugees in the Resettlement Program by building relationships with landlords and property managers and educating them about our refugee-serving programs. Additionally, the housing specialist is responsible for arranging each housing unit’s set-up with furniture, household goods and food according to the Cooperative Agreement with the Department of State/Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration.

 

Responsibilities:

Housing

• Conducts outreach for new relationships with potential landlords and property managers, maintains positive relationships with local landlords, owners and property management companies.
• Educates landlords and property managers on CWS resettlement program.
• Secures initial housing for all refugees by visiting properties, performing safety inspections, placing housing applications, and booking AirBnB or other temporary housing, if needed.
• Liaises with landlords throughout housing negotiations, lease signing, and initial move-in.
• Obtains and organizes donated and purchased household items, using keen judgment for best rates on purchases made on behalf of CWS clients.
• Places orders for the purchase, delivery and installation of beds to clients’ housing.
• Hires furniture moving assistance and ensures that all household furniture and supplies are placed in clients’ housing prior to clients’ arrivals.
• Coordinates housing set-ups. To this end, connects with volunteer coordinator and case managers to secure volunteer assistance.
• Completes and submits for approval all check requests related to housing including but not limited to rent, security deposit, application fees, lease transfer fees, telephone, beds and other furniture, household goods, etc.

Donations

• Coordinates with donors and CWS Community Engagement Specialist for the delivery of in-kind household and furniture donations to CWS storage areas. Occasionally picks up smaller items from locations within the city.
• Tracks in-kind donations, keeps inventory, and organizes storage areas.
• Coordinates with providers to ensure furniture availability and delivery.

Case Management

• Documents all housing services in clients’ case notes. Records all financial transactions in clients’ financial tracking logs. Prepares and includes housing documentations in clients’ files, including but not limited to Home Safety Evaluation forms, lease contracts, and financial paperwork.
• Maintains and regularly updates records of partnering property managers and available housing units.
• Coordinates with CWS C.O. Instructor and teaches C.O. class on Housing.
• As necessary, assists USRP case managers in ensuring timely delivery of services and fulfillment of requirements outlined in the Cooperative Agreement with Department of State/Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, including providing transportation to appointments for refugee clients
• Available for possible evening airport pickups for newly arriving refugees, as necessary.
• Assists the Resettlement Supervisor in any duties he/she deems necessary.

Common Duties:

• Advocates on behalf of refugees, and refugee-serving voluntary agencies.
• Keeps informed about refugee and immigrant issues, and available services to refugees, using current information to better identify and serve refugee clients.
• Represents the program relevant to the responsibilities of the position.
• Undertakes other duties as assigned.
• Performs all duties in culturally appropriate manner.
• Works varied hours, including occasional night and weekend work.

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree or previous experience in lieu of degree

 

Experience:  Minimum 2 years of previous work experience in refugee resettlement or other direct social services. Ability to provide culturally sensitive service and a willingness to work with a diverse, non-English speaking clientele is required.

 

Other Skills:  Written and verbal communication skills in the English language are required. Competency in a refugee language is preferred.  The successful candidate must be computer literate, with proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word and Access) and internet applications. Must be over 21 years of age.  The successful candidate must have a valid driver’s license and insurable driving record.  

 

Benefits :CWS offers a competitive benefits package that includes:    - 403 (b) Retirement Plan                                               - Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance                                                  - Generous Paid Time Off (18 Paid Days Off; 24 Days after 2 Years)  - 14 Official Holidays  - 12 Sick Days Off (Accrued monthly)                                      - Life Insurance and AD&D                                             - Long Term and Short-Term Disability                                                  - Employee Assistance Program (EAP)                                                 - Health Savings Account                                               - Flexible Spending Accounts      - Commuter Benefits