Housing Advocate 2 [Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV)] at The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization

Portland, Oregon, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

17 Sep, 26

Salary

52488.0

Posted On

19 Jun, 26

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Housing Advocacy, Case Management, Trauma-Informed Care, Crisis Intervention, Safety Planning, Landlord Relations, Economic Empowerment, Budgeting, Barrier Reduction, Confidentiality, Data Entry, Active Listening, Problem Solving, Multitasking, Intercultural Communication, Advocacy

Industry

Non-profit Organizations

Description

Description The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) is a non-profit organization established in 1976 to serve immigrants, refugees, and the broader community in Portland, Oregon. Our mission is to welcome, serve and empower refugees, immigrants and people across cultures and generations to reach their full potential. Find out more at www.irco.org. POSITION: Housing Advocate 2 [Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV)] JOB CLASS/GRADE: Specialist 2 WAGE: Starting at $52,488 per year FLSA; EEO; WC: Non-Exempt; Professionals; 8864 LOCATIONS: Africa House 2 days a week; Hybrid schedule FTE; FT/PT; STATUS: 1.0 FTE; Full-Time with Benefits; Regular NUMBER OF POSITIONS: (1) APPLY AT: www.irco.org STATUS: Full-Time with Benefits PROGRAM(S): Survivor Housing/Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) SECTOR/DIVISION: Housing Stabilization Sector/Community Safety & Wellbeing Division REQUIREMENTS: Fluency and ability to fulfill all services in English; additional language fluency preferred but not required. Familiarity with rapid rehousing or Home Forward vouchers is very valuable. Oregon Domestic Violence Certification within 10 days of hire. Must be able to pass an extensive background check. Must possess a valid driver's license, current auto insurance, and have full use of an automobile during work hours Program Summary IRCO’s Housing Stabilization department consists of its Survivor Housing program, which works with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking to identify and place survivors into transitional and long-term housing; its Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) program, which provides comprehensive support to families with children at risk or experiencing homelessness, delivering services to families residing at the Hazel Ying Lee & The Ellington apartments; and its New Arrivals Housing program, which identifies and places newly arrived refugee families into transitional and long-term housing. Together, these programs are comprised of teams of Housing Specialists who help clients with emergencies and stabilized housing solutions; case management; strengthening self-sufficiency; linkages to education and employment opportunities; assistance with accessing grants or other community resources; transportation; and navigating housing issues. Position Summary The Housing Advocate 2 is responsible for expedited delivery of the Emergency Housing Voucher program, providing permanent housing to survivors of domestic and sexual violence and human trafficking in Multnomah County, delivering case management, economic empowerment, and resource connection to survivors. The Housing Advocate 2 focuses on increasing housing options for survivors by establishing connections with landlords, property managers, and other service providers. All Survivor Housing staff utilize a survivor-centered, strengths-based, empowerment model to cultivate trust, establish and promote trauma-informed communication, and provide advocacy and case management that facilitates, encourages, and assists clients to reach their goals. Essential Functions Advocacy & Case Management: · Collaborate with Survivor sector and partner agencies to identify and support referred participants to the Emergency Housing Voucher program and coordinate supportive services before and after acceptance into the rapid rehousing program. · Provide trauma-informed advocacy. · Manage a caseload up to 30 households and develop comprehensive case management plans for permanent housing stability, health and wellness, legal services, employment and educational placements, and other appropriate services as driven by survivor priorities and goals. · Provide or secure interpretation, translation, and accessibility services. · Navigate risk assessment with survivors and provide immediate and ongoing safety planning, crisis intervention, emergency shelters and motels, and mental health services as needed. · Assist participants in gathering income verification, calculating rental assistance contribution and utility allowance; complete housing inspections and other required documentation; write letters of support when requested; and obtain clearance from law enforcement. Housing, Financial Education & Economic Empowerment: · Continuously contribute to Survivor Housing Team’s network of new and existing private landlords, property managers, and other housing options to ensure rapid rehousing for survivors. · In partnership with Coordinator, identify prospective safe affordable housing sites and establish relationships with landlords and property managers; build awareness about the program. · Partner with survivors in barrier reduction, housing location, move in, tenant and housing rights, connection to housing legal aid, and other housing mediation and advocacy as necessary. · Build partnership with educational and employment programs; assist clients with budgeting, interview practice, resources for professional work attire, job search, English language courses, vocational training, and career and educational advancements. · Encourage financial empowerment, increase income and/or other financial resources, including pursuing child support, TANF, Social Security benefits, Victim Compensation, and other creative solutions to reduce overall costs for the family, through childcare arrangements, ridesharing, low-cost public transportation options, etc. · Review action plans regularly with survivor to ensure stability at end of financial assistance; achieve goal of client financial self-sufficiency or client connection with other permanent supports and resources such as Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8). Program Implementation: · Possess an impeccable degree of confidentiality; knowledge of laws about confidentiality, disclosures, and release of information (or capacity to learn and strictly implement said laws). · Maintain confidential client files and records of service provision; complete data entry in Apricot and HMIS (CompSite) databases, client expense tracking, and all other administrative tasks within given timelines. · Maintains accurate records of all housing placements, collects relevant data, and enters client assistance-related reports in HMIS’ comparable site (CompSite) in compliance with HUD guidelines and requirements. · Participate in collaborative housing related meetings with partner agencies as needed · Participate and contribute to all staff meetings, retreats, and trainings. · Effectively contribute to program standard operating procedures. · Demonstrate ongoing commitment to IRCO mission and values. · Availability to work occasional evening and weekend hours. · Perform other duties as requested. Requirements Education & Experience JOB SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS: Experience in the following areas: housing advocacy, building community partnerships, and provision of supportive services, especially within multi-background communities. Completion of the 40-hour Oregon Domestic Violence Certified Advocate training. Knowledge about the impacts of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking and its intersections with poverty and homelessness. Knowledge of confidentiality laws, disclosures, and release of information Knowledge of Housing and Homeless services policy in Multnomah and surrounding counties is highly valuable. Training and understanding of Trauma-Informed Care Ability to develop healthy boundaries with clients. Strong community-aware approach. Fluency and ability to fulfill all services in English; bilingual preferred but not required. Demonstrated skill and experience working with multi-background communities (race, ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, education, religion, age, class, etc.) Ability to cultivate and develop respectful engagement and equitable working relationships with colleagues and community members. An effective and compassionate communicator, both verbally and in writing, with excellent active listening skills to identify the needs and goals of our participants. Ability to be self-directed and multitask effectively; be flexible, prioritize daily workload, and operate calmly amidst stressful circumstances. Analytical, problem solving, and decision-making skills. Ability to pass an extensive background check. Physical, Mental, & Environmental Requirements Hybrid setting job Positions require some analysis of problems or decision-making ability The work schedule occasionally fluctuates based on organization or participant needs. Environment: This level has a work environment that is well protected, with virtually no hazards or obstacles. There is very little element of personal risk or hazard. Job conditions are stable, usually well managed, and very comfortable. Schedule: The work schedule is stable and does not fluctuate. Supervisory Responsibilities Positions at this level are not responsible for any supervisory functions, or responsibilities, but may occasionally be asked to orient and/or train new employees or volunteers. What We Offer IRCO is a very employee-friendly workplace and offers great benefit packages to our staff: Many flexible working arrangements and schedule Amazing opportunity to work with people who come from all over the world Work that helps your community 3 to 6 weeks of PTO per year 401k match of over 100% on first 5%, immediate vesting 3% match for student loans or college savings 12 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday Medical & Dental insurance options with 90% coverage for employee AND Families, no deductibles Employer Paid Life, Short term, and Long-term Disability Insurance Flexible spending accounts Required Engagement Engage fully in recommended professional development, as well as other assigned or required training activities. This engagement can also include participation in optional activities that embrace IRCO’s mission, vision, and values-based initiatives. How To Apply Complete the IRCO application in our Careers Portal: IRCO Application for Employment. Upload your resume and cover letter addressing your qualifications for this position IRCO Careers. For questions about this position, please email jobs@irco.org Please note that physical applications are accessible from IRCO’s main office, 10301 NE Glisan, Portland, OR 97220. Due to the high volume of applications received, we will not be able to contact applicants or return calls regarding applications. Complete applications should include a cover letter, resume, and IRCO application. IRCO is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any characteristics protected by State and Federal law. We will make reasonable accommodations to meet our obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state disability laws.

Responsibilities

The Housing Advocate 2 provides permanent housing and case management to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. They focus on establishing landlord partnerships and delivering economic empowerment services to ensure long-term housing stability.