ASF Housing & Logistics Specialist

The Housing and Shelter Logistics Specialist will ensure asylum seeker families are supported with safe, affordable housing or shelter/transitional housing to assure the best possible initial welcome experience and future achievement of client self-sufficiency. In coordination with IRC San Diego’s Safety & Wellness team, the Housing and Logistics Specialist will identify and procure temporary housing for clients in accordance with established guidelines and within approved funding resources. The Specialist will be responsible for locating, securing, and coordinating short to long term shelter or housing for asylum seekers enrolled in case management. The Specialist will work closely with Asylum Seeking Families (ASF) caseworkers if securing temporary/long term housing is identified by a client in their service plan. 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 Shelter Relations:

•Conduct shelter and transitional housing outreach to establish referral pathways and track requirements for clients in need of initial housing stabilization;

•Maintain excel or other tracking system to monitor shelter/housing availability options for possible openings to IRC clients.

•Liaise with shelter/housing organizations to ensure positive working relationships and troubleshoot property management issues, as needed.

Client Services:

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

•Maintain robust shelter and housing resource list to share with client exiting case-management;

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

•Coordinate with Safety & Wellness team members and support the logistics set up for clients being moved into new housing/shelter arrangements; and

•Coordinate and communicate with ASF caseworkers and the Development staff of any needed in-kind donations.

Compliance Documentation:

•Work with ASF caseworkers to ensure clients understand all shelter requirements for occupation and possible repercussions;

•Ensure accuracy and completion of any housing placement agreements maintained in case files are in compliance with IRC policies (i.e. meeting local occupancy requirements, safe, well maintained); and

•Complete case notes related to housing activities and ensure reporting requirements are met.

Team/Office Participation:

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

•Supervise and train interns 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; and

•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 Spanish is helpful;

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

•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; and

•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.