Housing Navigator

OUR MISSION: MWVCAA invests in people and their futures to reduce the impacts of poverty

OUR VISION: We envision a just future, where our communities are empowered to reach positive outcomes and everyone is respected for their infinite worth.

Working at MWVCAA means becoming part of a mission-driven community dedicated to equity, dignity, and opportunity for all. We offer competitive pay, a rich company culture that values diversity, and an array of benefits - but we consider the best benefit here to be the reward of helping those in our community live better lives. Come find meaningful work and bring your skills as a Housing Navigator. The SSVF Housing Navigator is a grant-funded position that helps eligible Veterans and Veteran families obtain and maintain safe, affordable permanent housing throughout Linn, Lincoln, Benton, and Yamhill Counties. Working with assigned SSVF Case Managers and community partners, the Housing Navigator identifies housing options, engages landlords, coordinates lease-up, addresses housing barriers, and supports housing stability.The position follows Housing First, trauma-informed, person-centered, and low-barrier practices. The Housing Navigator coordinates housing-related services and documentation but does not independently determine program eligibility or authorize financial assistance. This team offers a lot of growth opportunities and professional development through hands-on experience.

Day Shift. Mon-Fri.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or GED.
• Two years of relevant experience in housing, social services, landlord engagement, or case management.
• Knowledge of Housing First, trauma-informed care, Fair Housing, tenant rights, subsidized housing, voucher programs, and services for Veterans experiencing homelessness is preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Driver qualifications are required for this position. Valid driver license, insured vehicle available for use on the job, and a satisfactory drive record for the previous three years are required.
• Basic Life Support/First Aid Certification is required within the first 30 days of hire.
• Candidate must pass pre-employment and random drug screenings.
• Candidate must pass Oregon Department of Human Services background check prior to employment.
• Candidate must pass comprehensive MWVCAA background screening prior to employment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of subsidized housing, public housing authorities, HUD-VASH, voucher programs, and community housing resources.

• Ability to work independently and cooperatively while following SSVF, CAPO, VA, agency, confidentiality, and safety requirements.

• Knowledge of housing navigation, landlord engagement, rental practices, Fair Housing, tenant rights, reasonable accommodations, and housing assistance programs.Ability to build professional relationships, advocate, negotiate, mediate concerns, and maintain appropriate boundaries.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, email, internet applications, HMIS, electronic records, and accurate data entry.

• Strong communication, customer service, organization, time management, and documentation skills.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively while maintaining confidentiality and following program, agency, safety, and compliance requirements.

• Ability to travel throughout the four-county service area and occasionally work evenings or weekends.

WHAT YOU WILL DO TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required.

• Coordinates with Veterans, SSVF Case Managers, landlords, and community partners to asses housing needs.

• Identifies barriers, develops housing plans, and secures affordable permanent housing for clients.

• Supports rental applications, voucher requirements, landlord engagement, lease-up, required documentation, approved move-in assistance, and housing retention.

• Collaborates with VA, HUD-VASH, housing authorities, and community providers to facilitate housing placements and referrals.

• Maintains accurate HMIS records and electronic documentation, protects confidentiality, and complies with program, grant, and agency requirements.

• Assists with obtaining or completing required rent-reasonableness, habitability, housing-quality, and move-in documentation before financial assistance is requested or issued.

• Travels throughout Linn, Lincoln, Benton, and Yamhill Counties for Veteran support, property viewings, landlord meetings, and move-ins, with fieldwork up to three days per week.

• Develops and maintains relationships with landlords, property managers, and housing providers to expand available housing opportunities and resources.

• Assists Veterans in addressing housing barriers, including credit, rental history, criminal history, income limitations, prior evictions, and disability-related accommodation needs.

• Educates Veterans regarding lease expectations, tenant rights and responsibilities, and strategies to maintain long-term housing stability.

• Facilitates communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution among Veterans, landlords, case managers, and community partners to support housing placement and retention.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

• Maintains a calm, respectful, and professional disposition when Veterans, landlords, or others are frustrated or escalated.

• Manages frequent demands for attention, time, travel, documentation, and housing-related follow-up.

• Uses sound judgment and follow agency safety practices while working independently in offices, homes, rental properties, vehicles, and community settings.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to focus.

• Manual dexterity is required for handling office equipment and completing computer-based documentation.

• Regularly lifts or moves up to 10 pounds and occasionally lifts or moves up to 25 pounds.

• Proceeds independently in accordance with agency and program policies, guidelines, and supervisory direction.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Regularly works indoors and outdoors in cold weather, heat and other extreme climate events.

• Close quarters, often with a public client population experiencing homelessness, substance use disorders, and/ or severe and persistent mental illness, and/or unpredictable behavior.

• Frequent interruptions and demands; frequent noise.

• Ability to work outside normal business hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

WHAT WE OFFER

• 401k contribution after 1 year

• Employee Assistance Program

• Life insurance

• Health, Vision and Dental Insurance

• For some positions, employees may be eligible for company‑sponsored continuing education

MWVCAA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, veterans, and people with disabilities or any other protected category. We welcome all people to join us in achieving our Mission. If you require any assistance in the application process, or reasonable accommodations to perform the essential duties of the position, please notify a member of our team at (503) 585-6232.

**This is a partial list of essential duties and responsibilities. To review the full job description, download below.

Note that compensation for each role at MWVCAA is based off a number of factors such as experience and education.

If you need ADA accommodations to apply for MWVCAA job openings, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] or call 503-585-6232 to ask for a HR Team Member.

Pre-employment background and drug screening is required.