Housing Advocate 2 at IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION – Portland, Oregon

The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) is a non-profit organization established in 1976 to serve immigrants, refugees, and the broader community in Portland, Oregon. Our mission is to welcome, serve and empower refugees, immigrants and people across cultures and generations to reach their full potential. Find out more at www.irco.org.

POSITION: Housing Advocate 2

JOB CLASS/GRADE: Coordinator 1 / Specialist 2; Grade 7

WAGE: Starting at $52,488 per year

FLSA; EEO; WC: Non-Exempt; Professional; 8864

LOCATIONS:

One of IRCO’s Portland offices; TBD, Hybrid schedule

IRCO Main Office, 10301 NE Glisan St Portland OR 97220

Africa House, 709 NE 102nd Ave Portland OR 97220

Pacific Islander & Asian Family Center, 8040 NE Sandy Blvd Portland, OR 97213

Slavic & Eastern European Center, 555 SE 99th Ave Suite 101 Portland, OR 97216

FTE; FT/PT; STATUS: 1.0 FTE; Full-Time with Benefits; Regular

NUMBER OF POSITIONS: (1)

APPLY AT: www.irco.org

STATUS: Full-Time with Benefits

PROGRAM(S): Survivor Housing / Housing & Urban Development (HUD)

SECTOR: Housing Stabilization

REQUIREMENTS:

English required, bilingual preferred

Familiarity with rapid rehousing or HUD is very valuable

Oregon Domestic Violence Certification within 10 days of hire

Must be able to pass an extensive background check

Must possess a valid driver's license, current auto insurance, and have full use of automobile during work hours

This job announcement is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed in this job. This is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

Program Summary
IRCO’s Housing Stabilization department consists of its Survivor Housing program, which works with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking to identify and place survivors into transitional and long-term housing; its Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) program, which provides comprehensive support to families with children at risk or experiencing homelessness, delivering services to families residing at the Hazel Ying Lee & The Ellington apartments; and its New Arrivals Housing program, which identifies and places newly arrived refugee families into transitional and long-term housing. Together, these programs are comprised of teams of Housing Specialists who help clients with emergencies and stabilized housing solutions; case management; strengthening self-sufficiency; linkages to education and employment opportunities; assistance with accessing grants or other community resources; transportation; and navigating housing issues.

Position Summary
The Housing Advocate 2 is responsible for providing experienced-level housing advocacy and case management for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking participating in HUD-funded housing programs. The Housing Advocate 2 supports survivors in accessing and maintaining safe and stable housing through coordinated housing search, landlord engagement, and resource navigation. This role works closely with housing partners, property managers, and service providers to expand housing opportunities for survivors and ensure successful program participation.

The Housing Advocate 2 also supports program implementation efforts, assists with system navigation within Multnomah County’s housing services network, and provides informal mentorship and guidance to Housing Advocate 1 staff.

All Survivor Housing staff utilize a survivor-centered, strengths-based, empowerment model to cultivate trust, establish and promote trauma-informed communication, and provide advocacy and case management that facilitates, encourages, and assists clients to reach their goals.

Essential Functions

ADVOCACY & CASE MANAGEMENT:

• Collaborate with Survivor sector and partner agencies to identify and support referred participants to the HUD New Beginnings program and coordinate supportive services before and after acceptance into the rapid rehousing program
• Provide trauma-informed advocacy
• Manage a caseload of up to16 households and develop comprehensive case management plans for permanent housing stability, health and wellness, legal services, employment and educational placements, and other appropriate services as driven by survivor priorities and goals
• Provide or secure interpretation, translation, and accessibility services
• Navigate risk assessment with survivors and provide immediate and ongoing safety planning, crisis intervention, emergency shelters and motels, and mental health services as needed
• Assist participants in gathering income verification, calculating rental assistance contribution and utility allowance; complete housing inspections and other required documentation; write letters of support when requested; and obtain clearance from law enforcement
• Conduct eligibility screenings, housing barrier assessments, and service planning to support housing stability
• Navigate Coordinated Access, housing authority processes, and HUD program requirements
• Support participants through housing placement including housing search, landlord communication, lease preparation, and move-in coordination

HOUSING, FINANCIAL EDUCATION & ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT:

• Continuously contribute to Survivor Housing Team’s network of new and existing private landlords, property managers, and other housing options to ensure rapid rehousing for survivors
• In partnership with Survivor Housing Coordinator 3, identify prospective safe affordable housing sites and establish relationships with landlords and property managers; build awareness about the program
• Partner with survivors in barrier reduction, housing location, move in, tenant and housing rights, connection to housing legal aid, and other housing mediation and advocacy as necessary
• Build partnership with educational and employment programs; assist clients with budgeting, interview practice, resources for professional work attire, job search, English language courses, vocational training, and career and educational advancements
• Encourage financial empowerment, increase income and/or other financial resources, including pursuing child support, TANF, Social Security benefits, Victim Compensation, and other creative solutions to reduce overall costs for the family, through childcare arrangements, ridesharing, low-cost public transportation options, etc.
• Review action plans regularly with survivor to ensure stability at end of financial assistance; achieve goal of client financial self-sufficiency or client connection with other permanent supports and resources such as Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)

PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION:

• Possess an impeccable degree of confidentiality; knowledge of laws about confidentiality, disclosures, and release of information (or capacity to learn and strictly implement said laws)
• Maintain confidential client files and records of service provision; complete data entry in Apricot and HMIS (CompSite) databases, client expense tracking, and all other administrative tasks within given timelines
• Maintains accurate records of all housing placements, collects relevant data, and enters client assistance-related reports in HMIS’ comparable site (CompSite) in compliance with HUD guidelines and requirements
• Support compliance with HUD and IRCO program guidelines including documentation and reporting requirements
• Assist with improving program procedures and identifying service gaps within housing systems
• Provide informal mentorship and guidance to Housing Advocate 1 staff and support onboarding of new team members
• Participate in collaborative housing related meetings with partner agencies as needed
• Participate and contribute to all staff meetings, retreats, and trainings
• Effectively contribute to program standard operating procedures
• Demonstrate ongoing commitment to IRCO mission and values
• Availability to work occasional evening and weekend hours
• Perform other duties as requested

Education & Experience

MINIMUM JOB SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent combination of training and experience
• Experience: 2-3 years of experience is required
• Experience in the following areas: housing advocacy, building community partnerships, and provision of supportive services, especially within diverse communities
• Completion of the 40-hour Oregon Domestic Violence Certified Advocate training
• Knowledge about the impacts of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking and its intersections with poverty and homelessness
• Knowledge of confidentiality laws, disclosures, and release of information
• Knowledge of Housing and Homeless services policy in Multnomah and surrounding counties is highly valuable
• Ability to develop healthy boundaries with clients
• Strong community awareness and sensitivity
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed care and survivor-centered advocacy
• Fluency and ability to fulfill all services in English; bilingual preferred but not required
• Demonstrated skill and experience working with diverse communities (race, ethnicity, disability, sex, sexual orientation, education, religion, age, class, etc.)
• Ability to cultivate and develop lawful fairness and respectful working relationships with colleagues and community members
• An effective and compassionate communicator, both verbally and in writing, with excellent active listening skills to identify the needs and goals of our participants
• Ability to be self-directed and multitask effectively; be flexible, prioritize daily workload, and operate calmly amidst stressful circumstances
• Analytical, problem solving, and decision-making skills
• Ability to pass an extensive background check

Physical, Mental, & Environmental Requirements

• Hybrid setting job
• Impact and Influence: Positions at this level have a minimal need or ability to analyze problem or concepts or make decisions on the information. Positions at this level have minimal impact and influence on organization operations, programs, expense or budgetary outcomes
• Work Independence: Positions perform routine work with regular supervision and generally are given instructions or written procedures. Positions occasionally encounter variation and are encouraged to suggest ways to respond, but can't take final action without approval
• Environment: This level has a work environment that contains hazards or obstacles on a regular basis. Working conditions include regular interactions with hostile individuals, gangs, victims of abuse, and individual safety plans are created.
• Schedule: The work schedule occasionally fluctuates based on organization or customer needs. This fluctuation may occur with or without prior notice.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Positions at this level are not responsible for any supervisory functions, or responsibilities, but may occasionally be asked to orient and/or train new employees or volunteers.

What We Offer

IRCO is a very employee-friendly workplace and offers great benefit package to our staff:

• Many flexible working arrangements and schedule
• Amazing opportunity to work with people who come from all over the world
• Work that helps your community
• 3 to 6 weeks of PTO per year
• 401k match of over 100% on first 5%, immediate vesting
• 3% match for student loans or college savings
• 12 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
• Medical & Dental insurance options with 90% coverage for employee AND Families, no deductibles
• Employer Paid Life, Short term, and Long-term Disability Insurance
• Flexible spending account

Required Engagement

Engage fully in recommended professional development, as well as other assigned or required training activities. This engagement can also include participation in optional activities that embrace IRCO’s mission, vision, and values-based initiatives.

How To Apply

1. Complete the IRCO application in our Careers Portal: IRCO Application for Employment.
2. Upload your resume and cover letter addressing your qualifications for this position IRCO Careers.
3. For questions about this position, please email jobs@irco.org

Please note that physical applications are accessible from IRCO’s main office, 10301 NE Glisan, Portland, OR 97220. Due to the high volume of applications received, we will not be able to contact applicants or return calls regarding applications. Complete applications should include a cover letter, resume, and IRCO application.

IRCO is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any characteristics protected by State and Federal law. We will make reasonable accommodations to meet our obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state disability laws.