Housing Navigator

Overview

The Crisis Housing Navigator is a full-time role dedicated to supporting individuals transitioning from a Nursing Facility for Mental Health or other state-run institutions who are at risk of homelessness. This position involves advocacy, mediation, assessment, planning, and resource coordination to ensure stable housing solutions. The Crisis Housing Navigator operates both independently and collaboratively as part of the Housing Navigation team under the supervision of the Coordinated Entry System (CES) Manager.

The successful candidate for this position is one who thrives on serving others, welcomes the opportunity to work with homeless service providers to facilitate clients' access to housing, and who will maintain a laser focus on the mission to advance the common good in our community. The position requires an excellent communicator with the ability to manage highly detailed data in order to increase efficiency of the local crisis response system by removing barriers that impede access to permanent housing for homeless individuals and families. Additionally, regardless of role or team, every United Way of the Plains employee must be able to demonstrate our core values as defined on our website: Community, Collaboration, Leadership, People, Diversity, Advocacy and Stewardship. These values shape our internal behaviors and communicate to our various stakeholders who we are and what we stand for.

Key Responsibilities:

The key responsibilities of the Crisis Housing Navigator include, but are not limited to:

• Manage referrals from the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services.
• Support individuals exiting Nursing Facilities for Mental Health and State Hospitals into stable housing.
• Ensure the individuals who have been diagnosed with a serious mental illness are assisted with obtaining, sustaining, and reducing barriers to housing programs, supports, and services.
• Conduct bi-weekly outreach to engage potential clients and collaborate with other Crisis Housing Navigators across the state and participate in monthly staffing calls.
• Conduct homeless outreach in the community to identify, engage, and assist individuals who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness, living on the street, in encampments, or other unsheltered situations.
• Assess housing barriers, enroll clients in Coordinated Entry, and participate in case conferencing.
• Assist clients in accessing SOAR advocacy services for benefits.
• Facilitate housing searches, landlord negotiations, and mediation as needed.
• Help clients develop and manage household budgets, including financial counseling.
• Connect participants with additional resources and services.
• Provide follow-up support to track progress on housing action plans.
• Coordinate with service providers to ensure comprehensive support.
• Offer ongoing case management for stabilized households.
• Maintain accurate documentation, track outcomes, and close cases when appropriate.
• Submit quarterly reporting on outcomes to the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications :

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a social service field preferred.
• At least two years of experience working with people experiencing homelessness, and/or homeless service providers.
• Proficiency in using computers, including MS Office, the Internet, and databases.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong relationship and team-building skills.
• Strong ability to lead teams towards a common goal.
• Excellent administrative skills and ability to accurately maintain highly detailed data.
• Capable of working effectively with limited supervision.
• Able to maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive information.

Non-Negotiable Hiring Criteria:

• Naturally curious and self-motivated in a never-ending pursuit of continuous improvement.
• Ability to interact positively with individuals and groups.
• Must be flexible and multitask oriented; can adapt to changing priorities.
• Can work independently and responsibly while managing numerous projects simultaneously.
• Dependable and reliable to meet deadlines; remains calm under pressure.
• Lead by personal example; your word is your bond.
• Servant leader who can positively influence others not under their control.
• Possess excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills.

Core Competencies for all United Way Professionals

• Mission-Focused: The United Way Professional’s top priority is to create real social change that leads to better lives and healthier communities. This competency drives their performance and professional motivations.
• Relationship-Oriented: The United Way Professional understands that people come before process and is astute in cultivating and managing relationships toward a common goal.
• Collaborator: The United Way Professional understands the roles and contributions of all sectors of the community and can mobilize resources (financial and human) through meaningful engagement.
• Results-Driven: The United Way Professional is dedicated to shared and measurable goals for the common good including creating, resourcing, scaling, and leveraging strategies and innovations for broad investment and impact.
• Brand Steward: The United Way Professional is a steward of the brand and understands his/her role in growing and protecting the reputation and results of the greater network.

Work Schedule

Office hours are primarily Monday-Friday 8:00AM – 5:00PM, though extended hours may be warranted at any point in time.

How to Apply:

Submit your cover letter and resume via email to: careers@unitedwayplains.org with “Housing Navigator” in the subject line.

Application Deadline: For priority consideration, apply by March 21, 2025; position will remain open until filled

United Way of the Plains is committed to providing Equal Opportunity in Employment, to all applicants and employees regardless of, race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, military status, veteran status, handicap, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.

More information about the United Way of the Plains can be found at https://unitedwayplains.org/