Position Summary
Under the Housing First model, the Housing Navigator & Outreach Specialist engages unsheltered individuals, conducts needs and housing assessments, develops individualized housing plans, and navigates participants through community resources and housing programs. The role builds and maintains referral pathways with local partners, provides client-centered advocacy, coordinates transportation to housing-related appointments, and maintains accurate data and documentation in agency systems.
Benefits:
- Health Insurance starting your first day
- 401k plan including employer match
- Competitive Time Off Benefits
- Pay rate: $18.06 per hour
Essential Job Responsibilities
1) Outreach & Engagement
- Identify and proactively engage unsheltered individuals across Lorain County; serve as a consistent point of contact and trusted advocate.
- Attend community-based events to promote access to services and share up-to-date information on shelter and housing options.
- Build rapport using trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and person-centered practices; perform de-escalation as needed.
- Communicate shelter news, openings, and eligibility requirements to unsheltered clients; facilitate shelter enrollment as needed.
2) Housing Navigation & Case Collaboration
- Complete coordinated entry/housing assessments; develop individualized housing plans with measurable goals and timelines.
- Create exit plans to promote housing stability; educate on tenant responsibilities, housing success plans, and basic housekeeping.
- Coordinate with shelter and case management teams for placement, transfers, and service linkages; model effective case management practices.
- Arrange or provide transportation to housing-related appointments in accordance with agency policy and safety standards.
- Assist with move-in coordination (e.g., essential items, furniture referrals) and address common barriers to enrollment and retention.
3) Data, Documentation & Compliance
- Maintain accurate and timely participant records, assessments, progress notes, and service entries in Clarity HMIS and agency systems.
- Track outreach contacts, demographics, and outcomes; use data to inform service planning and program improvements.
- Prepare required reports for internal stakeholders and funders; protect confidential information consistent with HIPAA and applicable regulations.
- Follow agency policies, professional boundaries, and ethical standards; comply with all grant, CoC, and regulatory requirements.
4) Community Partnerships & Systems Navigation
- Develop and maintain relationships with local businesses, hospitals, behavioral health providers, social service agencies, and housing partners to streamline referrals.
- Maintain a current directory of referral contacts; share updates with shelter and coordinated entry teams to support efficient navigation.
- Participate in roster reviews, case conferences, and CE meetings to resolve barriers and expedite placements.
- Educate community stakeholders about program services and client needs in coordination with agency leadership.
5) Teamwork & Other Duties
- Contribute to a respectful, inclusive, and high-performance culture aligned with the mission, vision, and values of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland.
- Actively participate in quality improvement activities and training; share resources that enhance service delivery.
- Perform other duties as assigned to meet operational needs.
Requirements:
- Associate’s degree in social work, human services, or related field; or a combination of education and equivalent experience (e.g., 2+ years in relevant social services).
- Valid Ohio driver’s license; insurable driving record under agency policy; ability to travel within service area. Must meet the insurer’s minimum age requirements for driving on agency business (currently 21).
- Demonstrated experience working with people experiencing homelessness and/or related populations (e.g., veterans, individuals with substance use disorders, reentry backgrounds).
- Understanding and support of the Housing First philosophy and harm-reduction principles.
- Ability to form effective, professional, and therapeutic relationships; strong oral and written communication skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook and Excel; experience with HMIS/Clarity and/or electronic case management systems preferred.
- Ability to manage crises and perform de-escalation; maintain appropriate boundaries and confidentiality.
- Successful completion of required background checks, including fingerprinting, in accordance with agency policy and funder requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, public administration, or related field.
- Experience with Coordinated Entry processes, local CoC housing resources, and Lorain County housing programs.
- Knowledge of regulations that may impact housing eligibility and safety planning (e.g., Ohio requirements related to registration/notification for individuals with certain offenses).
- Experience working with individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions.
- Bilingual or multilingual skills relevant to the community served.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and person-centered practice; commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging.
- Motivational interviewing, problem-solving, and advocacy to overcome system barriers.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize, follow through, and meet deadlines in a field-based environment.
- Collaborative communication across multidisciplinary teams and external partners.
- Accurate documentation and data quality in HMIS and electronic records.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions
This job operates in office, shelter, and community settings (including field-based outreach). While performing the duties of this job, the employee will routinely:
- Sit, stand, walk, bend, reach, and navigate stairs; use hands for keyboarding and documentation.
- Drive within the service area to meet clients and attend appointments/events.
- Communicate effectively in person and by phone; visually review documents and small text on screens.
- Respond to crises with quick, whole-body movement and perform de-escalation in accordance with training.
- Occasionally lift/carry up to 30 lbs. unassisted (e.g., donations, supplies).
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Compliance, Licensure, and Policy Requirements
- Maintain a satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) per agency standards; employees with an unacceptable MVR may not operate a vehicle on behalf of the agency.
- Adhere to all agency, grant, and regulatory requirements, including confidentiality (e.g., HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2, as applicable), professional boundaries, and documentation standards.
- Complete required trainings (e.g., trauma-informed care, de-escalation, HMIS/Clarity) within established timeframes.
