Housing Specialist

Denver

Organization: IRC - International Rescue Committee
Location: Denver
Grade: Mid level - Mid level
Occupational Groups:
- Human Settlements (Shelter, Housing, Land, Property)
Closing Date: Closed

The IRC in Denver’s approach is client-centered, empowerment-focused, trauma-informed, and multigenerational. Advancing racial equity and narrowing the gender gap are priorities for the IRC in Denver. The team’s efforts in this space are ongoing and evolving. Current work is focused on participating in learning and dialogue to deepen understanding and awareness of systemic inequities and systems of oppression; building an internal organizational culture that reflects a commitment to antiracism and gender equality for clients as well as staff, volunteers, and the broader community; engaging clients more deeply in making decisions that affect them, whether at the individual, household, program, or organizational level; using our power and influence to advocate for rules, policies, and laws that address inequities experienced by the people we serve and seek systemic change for the benefit of all who are impacted by these inequities; undertaking intentional efforts to shift dynamics and promote power sharing between leadership and the broader team as well as between staff and clients; and examining and changing practices in recruitment, recognition, and other areas of employee engagement and talent development to prioritize access to opportunity and work toward full inclusion and belonging for clients, staff, and volunteers who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and LGBTQI, as well as those who have lived experience as refugees and immigrants.

Job overview:

The Housing Specialist is a key team member who collaborates with colleagues to promote a positive resettlement experience for newly arriving refugees and to support quality services for all clients. This position leads efforts to ensure clients’ access to stable housing on arrival and during their resettlement and integration period. The Housing Specialist represents the IRC in Denver in the local community, working to build relationships with landlords and housing providers that open doors to affordable housing for refugees and other immigrants. They secure safe, sanitary, and affordable units, coordinate furnishing with all required furniture and household supplies, provide related logistical and purchasing support, and complete required housing-related documentation in case files and databases to meet grant requirements.

Major responsibilities:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Housing Arrangements and Set Up

•Identify and secure safe, sanitary, and affordable housing for newly arriving refugees in compliance with established program requirements.

•Complete housing applications and assist in securing insurance as needed.

•Arrange payments for deposits, move-in costs, and other items needed to secure housing.

•Coordinate logistics of housing set-ups including inventory management, ordering furniture and supplies, arranging deliveries, and activating utilities.

•Engage volunteers and community groups to support efforts to secure and set up housing for new arrivals.

•Facilitate lease signings and renewals with clients and landlords and property managers.

•Conduct home safety inspections and document housing supplies provided.

•Maintain accurate inventory, follow appropriate finance and procurement procedures, and complete required documentation.

Outreach and Partnerships

•Conduct ongoing outreach to current and potential landlords, property managers, and local housing authorities, and Section 8 and tax credit units.

•Build strong working relationships with housing providers with the goal of increasing access to housing for refugee and immigrant families.

•Develop a maintain a mapping and database tool that aids in identifying potential housing options for clients in need.

Housing Education and Support

•Together with caseworkers and cultural orientation trainers, deliver housing orientations to clients to housing and providing education on home maintenance and care topics.

•Coordinate client home repair requests and liaise with landlords and property managers as needed.

•Document housing-related issues and consistently follow up until fully resolved.

•Assist caseworkers in providing education for clients on subsidized housing options.

Other

•Support other pre- and post-arrival activities and core services such as airport pick-ups as requested.

•Assist casework team in applying eligible clients to various Section 8 lotteries and waitlists.

•Research potential new vendors for needed furniture and household items and establish new vendor relationships in accordance with IRC procurement policies.

•Satisfy recordkeeping requirements and ensure complete and timely documentation of activities.

•Oversee use of IRC vehicles and related responsibilities including managing travel logs and scheduling regular maintenance.

•Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

•Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college or equivalent combination of work and/or lived experience.

•Minimum of 1 year of relevant professional experience required.

•Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations preferred.

•Strong relationship building, diplomacy, and networking skills; ability to effectively build internal and external relationships.

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

•Self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the proven ability to multi-task, prioritize duties, and manage time effectively.

•Superb organization, planning, and logistical skills.

•Flexibility and persistence in the face of challenges.

•Attention to detail and accuracy in work product.

•Commitment to working collaboratively with colleagues to promote a positive resettlement experience for IRC clients.

•Ability to regularly lift ~50 lbs.

•Fluent in English, both spoken and written.

•Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook); ability to use the internet and other digital tools for data entry, research, and problem-solving purposes. Experience with Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) and Salesforce a plus.

•Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable, insured personal vehicle.

Working environment:

•The IRC in Denver strives to offer a positive working environment, with intentional efforts to ensure that it is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible for all.

•At present, remote and hybrid remote/in-person work modifications are in place due to ensure staff and client safety given public health guidance related to the COVID-19 pandemic and return to work planning is underway.

•All staff are required to adhere to IRC’s COVID risk mitigation policies. In some cases, these policies may be stricter than those imposed at the federal, state, or local level.

•This role entails frequent travel in and around the Denver metro area to transport clients, facilitate service delivery and represent the IRC with clients and community partners.

•Hours outside of typical office hours, including weekends and evenings, are occasionally required.

Compensation and benefits:

This position is a full-time, regular, non-exempt position scheduled at 37.5 hours per week. Compensation starts at $19.50 per hour, with eligibility for overtime in accordance with state and federal laws. As a full-time regular employee, the Housing Specialist is eligible for the IRC’s comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

•Generous paid time off with 20 days of paid vacation per year, 10 days of paid sick leave per year (not inclusive of paid COVID leave), and at least 9 paid holidays per year.

•Outstanding medical, dental, and vision care benefits with low employee contribution premiums.

•Optional health care and dependent care flexible savings accounts and commuter benefits programs.

•Life, accident, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance.

•A 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer base contributions and matching contributions.

•A comprehensive employee assistance and resilience program.

•A commitment to employee professional development, including an individual staff development account, participation in communities of practice and other fora, talent and leadership development offerings, and occasional opportunities to take on special assignments and roles to represent the IRC in Denver with IRC’s network of offices across the U.S.

•Business travel medical insurance, access to Guardian Nurses, and more.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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This vacancy is now closed.
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