Do you have property management experience and a desire to help people in need? If so, this job is for you! St Vincent de Paul Society (SVdP) is a nonprofit organization that aims to provide support to individuals and families in need, particularly those who are experiencing homelessness or living in poverty. If you are interested in working at Vinnies.org, this opportunity available can allow you to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others while developing your skills and experience.

The Housing Locator works with individuals who are currently experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness to reduce the impact of homelessness and to assist clients in meeting their goals to achieve sustainable housing. The housing locator operates from a Housing First philosophy. The Housing Locator is primarily responsible for assisting new program applicants and existing participants to identify, apply for and secure housing in the community. This includes completing a housing search online based on the client’s specific budget, connecting with the landlord or property manager, transporting clients to prospective properties during the housing search process, assisting clients with applications for tenancy, facilitating the execution of required program paperwork and recruiting new landlords to participate in the programs. Please note: you MUST submit a cover letter with your resume. Applications without cover letters will not be considered.

General Duties and Responsibilities:

• Research rental market to identify prospective landlords for participants and generate leads for outreach and recruitment
• Market SVdP housing programs to prospective landlords and explain all program facets and paperwork requirements
• Collect and share feedback from landlords about the housing programs with team members
• Maintain consistent communication with landlords via telephone, e-mail and in person
• Proactively recruit landlords and community partners to participate in housing programs by promoting and educating about housing programs. Hold regular events such as workshops, receptions, roundtable discussions, focus groups and develop literature and other marketing tools for perspective participants.
• Locate available units in the community for clients and support them in viewing those units and ultimately obtaining a rental agreement
• Keep informed with current contracts, grants and federal, state and local regulations as they relate to housing programs and landlord laws
• Coordinate and collaborate with Rapid Response Program Manager and Program Analyst to ensure accurate and timely housing assistance payments are made to landlords
• Maintain regular communication with and act as a liaison for tenants, landlords, community partners, funders, management and finance staff.
• Assists clients with locating suitable housing for their individual needs
• Responds to crisis calls from program participants and/or Landlord and provide appropriate solutions
• Works with other SVdP community partners (WPC, Ritter, MTC, MCC, Homeward Bound, etc.) to develop strategies that help encourage homeless individuals to take steps leading ultimately to housing

Administration & Data Entry:

• Maintains and ensures timely and accurate SVdP and HMIS data entry and record keeping, including all exits and all program services provided
• Provides updates on participant activities and progress toward goals
• Ensures that any program participant complaints, concerns, and reports are forwarded to the Rapid Response Program Manager
• Submit check requests for client aid to the Program Analyst for approval
• Assists with paperwork needed to place clients into housing
• Document engagement and case notes for each client, track spending in HMIS and maintain financial records of all client expenditures
• Maintains documentation for participant files
• Additional duties as assigned

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Ability to commute/relocate:

• San Rafael, CA 94901: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Application Question(s):

• Must Submit Cover Letter

General Qualifications:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills required
• Experience with rentals and property management
• Demonstrated ability to be empathic, understanding, and approachable
• Ability to mediate conflict resolution, crisis intervention and basic counseling skills
• Basic understanding of mental health diagnosis, symptoms, and treatments
• Computer literate and able to communicate efficiently and quickly
• Must be able to transport clients and have a valid California Driver’s License with clean DMV record and able to be company insured
• Must have experience working in the social services field, with a wide range of knowledge about available community resources is a plus

In addition, the candidate must be able to:

• Demonstrate a strong work ethic as well as demonstrate a commitment to working well with others
• Work respectfully and demonstrate sensitivity with people from diverse socio-economic backgrounds
• Work independently with minimum supervision and maximum accountability
• Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills, including the ability to effectively articulate the SVdP mission, vision, and message
• Demonstrate strong problem-solving skills
• Knowledge of Windows operating systems and Office products, including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook, or ability to learn them independently and to use them
• Ability to learn and use any other software programs needed in the operations of SVDP programs
• Ability to work non-traditional hours as needed (evenings, weekends, and holidays)