Housing & Logistics Specialist

The Housing and Logistics Specialist will ensure that refugees, asylees, and asylum seeker families are supported with safe, affordable housing to assure the best possible initial resettlement experience and achievement of client self-sufficiency. In coordination with IRC San Diego’s Resettlement and Safety & Wellness teams, the Housing and Logistics Specialist will procure permanent and temporary housing for clients in accordance with established federal guidelines and within approved funding resources. The Specialist will be responsible for locating/securing housing and ensuring that IRC clients receive appropriate furnishings. They will also participate, as required, in program planning and service developments through teams, committees and work groups and will operate under moderate supervision with latitude for the use of independent discernment and initiative.

Major Responsibilities:

Property Management and Vendor Relations:

•Conduct apartment outreach and secure safe, appropriate, and affordable housing for clients prior to or upon their arrival in the US;

•Liaise with property management organizations to ensure continuing quality services to refugees and newcomers;

•Research vendors to determine the best values for housing and household supplies.

Client Services:

•Develop and utilize a wide range of housing resource options, coordinate all aspects of housing procurement,communicate information to caseworkers, inform staff of changes, and support volunteers when they participate in the new arrival process;

•Organize and lead the setup of housing, including coordinating signing of leases and following up on referrals to potential housing partners or following up with referrals to assisting housing partners;

•Coordinate with Resettlement and/or Safety & Wellness team members, arrange the logistics of new arrival home set-ups, including furniture delivery, and establishment of utility connections and home safety inspections;

•Coordinate with refugee US Ties and maintain ongoing communication regarding housing;

•Coordinating with caseworkers, communicate to IRC San Diego’s Development staff of any needed in-kind donations.

Compliance Documentation:

•Regularly visit apartment complexes to ensure housing meets the minimum standards as laid out in federal regulations and IRC policies; including doing spot-checks of safety/condition issues (appliances, windows/doors, household fixtures, etc);

•Ensure accuracy and completion of leases maintained in case files are in compliance with IRC policies;

•Complete case notes related to all housing activities and ensure reporting requirements are met, and support caseworkers with Housing Criteria, Home Safety and Supply Checklist forms

Team/Office Participation:

•Participate in all program and office meetings, staff development activities, and other duties as assigned;

•Supervise and train a team of interns and volunteers who will work directly and exclusively with client housing issues, as assigned;

•Work as part of a team to provide comprehensive strength-based services to IRC clients through coordination of case support and effective communication between team members and departments;

•Provide additional housing set-up support, as needed;

•Align with all policies, procedures and protocols of the agency.

Job Requirements:

•Undergraduate degree in social work or related field of study; or equivalent work experience;

•Minimum of 2 years relevant work experience in housing or human services field preferred;

•Ability to move/coordinate delivery of furniture and donations, complete household set-ups, and lift heavy objects;

•Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment;

•Proven ability to contribute both independently and as a key team member;

•Self- starter with excellent analytical skills combined with the demonstrated ability to multi-task, prioritize duties, and work efficiently;

•Fluent in English, both spoken and written; bilingual ability in another language is helpful;

•Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook);

•Valid driver’s license, access to a reliable vehicle with current insurance, ability to drive an IRC passenger van.

Working Environment:

•A combination of standard office environment and ‘field’ time in and around the service delivery area;

•Partial remote delivery of services while IRC offices are closed due to CV-19;

•May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

IRC- leading the way from harm to home.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.