HOPE Navigator (Housing Opportunities for People in Encampments) at Milestone Recovery – Portland, Maine

Milestone Mission is to provide compassionate care and services to empower individuals experiencing substance use disorders, mental illnesses, and unhoused people to attain an enhanced quality of life regardless of ability to pay.

Position Profile: Responsible for working with unsheltered individuals as a Milestone employee and part of the HOPE Collaborative including assessing unsheltered individuals, developing Housing Stability plans, outreaching individuals and landlords, transporting clients, completing HMIS data entry and report running, placing clients into appropriate housing when available.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Understand the organizational structure of the HOPE Navigator program and work within the policies and procedures.
• Build relationships with individuals experiencing homelessness through street and encampment outreach.
• Make appropriate referrals to other community resources for housing, mental health, vocational, educational, social, occupational and recreational counseling services.
• Provide transportation and accompany clients and serve as their advocate to other community providers when necessary.
• Build relationships with landlords and property managers.
• Coordinate with the City of Portland, MaineHousing programs, and other partners.
• Responsible for all aspects of care for the client caseload.
• Work with clients to obtain housing; includes assisting with housing applications, documentation, and rental assistance, supporting housing search, attending appointments, and connecting with landlords.
• Provide follow-up support after housing placement.
• Complete and maintain necessary records and reports in an accurate and confidential manner
• Always respect client confidentiality.
• Attend required training programs and scheduled staff meetings.
• Attend weekly HOPE meeting and other meetings related to HOPE.
• Assist with Milestone Homeless Outreach and Mobile Engagement (HOME) team and provide outreach.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Milestone does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, or receipt of public assistance.

Qualifications: High School diploma required, experience directly related to the work is required. Valid State of Maine Driver’s License is required. Proficient in basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and accurate data entry into relevant housing and case management systems.

Physical Requirements / Work Conditions: Freedom of movement on a regular basis. Operating basic office equipment in a normal office environment. Ability to lift up to 50lbs. May spend extended periods operating a computer, requiring hand-eye coordination and finger dexterity; physical activity requires walking, bending, standing, and lifting.