Rapid Rehousing Navigator in Hopkins, Minnesota at Vail Place

Role: Rapid Re-Housing Navigator Reports to: Rapid Re-Housing Program Manager FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary Range: $50,000+ based on experience

Do you thrive on solving problems, collaborating with others, and making a real impact in your community? As a Housing Navigator in our Rapid Rehousing program, you’ll do more than help individuals identify rental vacancies — you’ll guide individuals living with mental illness, substance use, and social challenges toward stability, support, and lasting change. This is your chance to be the connection point between people and the resources that can transform their health and well-being. If you're driven by purpose and ready to make a difference, we’d love to meet you!

Who are we?

Vail Communities is an organization dedicated to serving adults living with severe mental illness, providing a unified point of access and coordination for services. Having served the Twin Cities for more than 45 years, we provide comprehensive support tailored to each individual's unique circumstances and mental health wellness journey.

Guided by the values of dignity & inclusion, opportunity, community, and excellence, we're not just alleviating the burdens of illness — we're fostering wellness and cultivating meaningful connections to ensure every individual can thrive. Join us in rewriting the narrative surrounding mental wellness and embracing a future where recovery is not only possible, but transformative.

What do we offer?

At Vail Communities, our employees are at the center of everything we do. We are committed to fostering a collaborative, engaging, and supportive workplace that empowers our team members to thrive both professionally and personally. Through our flexible hybrid work model, strong organizational culture, and meaningful benefits, we strive to create an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and connected to our mission.

As a member of our team, you will have access to a comprehensive benefits package, including our Employee Assistance Program and a full core benefits package designed to support a healthy and balanced lifestyle. We recognize the importance of work-life balance and offer a robust paid time off package, including 11 paid holidays, 5 personal days, and safe and sick time allowances, ensuring employees have the flexibility and support they need both at work and at home.

What will you do?

The Housing Specialist provides direct support to individuals with mental illness in securing and maintaining stable housing by assessing housing barriers and strengths to determine appropriate housing and service needs, assisting individuals in locating and securing community-based housing by identifying eligible vacancies and supporting them through the application process, and transporting individuals to apartment showings and lease signings as needed. This role includes providing education on tenant and landlord rights, budgeting, and accessing necessary community resources, as well as contacting private market property owners to expand the network of rental placement options available to individuals served. The Housing Navigator coordinates with case managers to promote housing stability and successful tenancy following move-in and serves as a liaison between tenants, landlords, referral sources, and collaborating agencies, maintaining consistent and effective communication across all parties. Additionally, the position requires completing accurate and timely progress notes, maintaining case file documentation, conducting ongoing analysis to ensure alignment with county practices, identifying opportunities to improve program quality and effectiveness, and performing regular reassessments of clients’ needs and housing status. The role also includes attending relevant meetings, assisting with office-related tasks as needed, and supporting additional duties as assigned.

To be considered for this opportunity you will bring your skills and talent, BA or BS in human services or related area, or BSW with valid and current Social Work licensure, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Minimum of 2 years’ experience in housing search, placement, and advocacy work. Experience working with individuals with serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI) and/or working with homeless populations highly desired. Must have and maintain a valid Minnesota Driver’s License, maintain automobile coverage and have access to an automobile to attend meetings in the office and community.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Vail Communities is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We strive to have an anti-oppressive and anti-racist work environment. We embrace diversity, foster inclusion, and do our work through an equitable lens. Persons of color, women, members of the LGBTQ community, veterans, other minorities, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Vail Place will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.