Youth Housing Specialist in Spokane, Washington at Volunteers of America Eastern Washington

Crosswalk / Young Adult Shelter Programs
2 Openings | Regular Full-Time | Hourly, Non-Exempt

Volunteers of America Eastern Washington & Northern Idaho is looking for two Youth Housing Specialists to support young people connected to our Crosswalk and Young Adult Shelter programs.

This role helps youth and young adults who are experiencing homelessness, housing instability, family conflict, or barriers to care identify safe and stable housing options. The Youth Housing Specialist provides diversion support, housing navigation, case management, landlord engagement, resource coordination, and warm handoffs to help young people move toward stability.

This position may be based within or closely connected to Crosswalk Youth Shelter or Young Adult Shelter programming. Because this role supports youth-serving programs, applicants must be able to complete DCYF background requirements.

When housing feels out of reach, you help young people find the next step forward.

• Provide housing diversion and housing navigation support for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
• Accept referrals through youth housing and coordinated entry systems.
• Build trusting relationships with youth using trauma-informed, strengths-based, and youth-centered approaches.
• Help youth identify safe, realistic housing options that align with their goals, needs, and circumstances.
• Complete housing assessments, program paperwork, referrals, and required documentation.
• Support youth with Housing Choice Voucher paperwork, identification documents, benefit navigation, and other housing-related needs.
• Maintain knowledge of local housing resources, eligibility criteria, landlord/tenant expectations, and community supports.
• Build and maintain relationships with landlords, community providers, housing programs, schools, shelters, and service partners.
• Help youth communicate with landlords and problem-solve issues that may place housing at risk.
• Provide case management, including goal planning, referrals, appointment support, advocacy, and follow-up.
• Support access to emergency services when needed, including medical care, crisis support, shelter, detox, or law enforcement response.
• Enter timely, accurate, and complete data into HMIS/CMIS and other required agency or program systems.
• Maintain client files and program records in accordance with agency, program, grant, and confidentiality requirements.
• Participate in community meetings, outreach, provider collaboration, supervision, staff meetings, and training.
• Meet program expectations for participant contact, billable services, documentation, and grant requirements.

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a related field and at least one year of relevant experience;
  or
• High school diploma or GED and at least two years of equivalent work experience.

You will also need:

• Ability to pass required background checks, including DCYF background requirements.
• Ability to be licensed as an Agency Affiliated Counselor and apply for the AAC credential within 30 days of hire.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and ability to maintain auto liability insurance.
• Ability to complete CPR, First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens, Responsible Renters Certification, and other required position or program trainings.
• Ability to complete TB testing before employment begins or provide qualifying recent negative TB test results.
• Strong communication, documentation, organization, and follow-through skills.
• Ability to work with youth and young adults in a way that is respectful, practical, trauma-informed, and nonjudgmental.
• Ability to balance outreach, case management, landlord communication, documentation, and changing priorities.
• Comfort working in community settings, shelters, participant homes, and other nontraditional service locations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries, and ethical practice standards.

VOA pays for required employment-related items, including the AAC credential, required background checks, required training, certifications, and TB testing.

• Experience working with youth, young adults, runaway or homeless youth, shelter services, housing programs, case management, outreach, or community-based services.
• Knowledge of coordinated entry, rapid rehousing, transitional housing, diversion, landlord engagement, or housing stability services.
• Familiarity with Fair Housing, landlord/tenant expectations, pre-tenancy support, and eviction prevention.
• Experience using HMIS/CMIS, electronic records, Excel, Outlook, or other documentation and reporting systems.
• Experience advocating with schools, landlords, legal systems, healthcare providers, behavioral health providers, or community partners.
• Public speaking, community outreach, or provider collaboration experience.

This is a full-time position, typically working 40 hours per week. Core hours are generally Monday through Friday during regular business hours, though schedules may vary based on participant and program needs. Occasional evening, weekend, or holiday work may be required.

• 8 paid holidays plus up to 5 floating holidays
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, approx. $12,000–$15,000 annual value
• Employer-paid life insurance and long-term disability, approx. $1,500–$2,500 annual value
• Generous PTO, including sick leave and vacation
• 403(b) retirement plan
• PSLF-eligible employer
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Free electric vehicle charging at our main location

Housing work with youth and young adults is not just paperwork or referrals. It is relationship-building, problem-solving, advocacy, and staying steady when the path is complicated.

The Youth Housing Specialist helps young people understand their options, reduce barriers, connect to resources, and move toward housing stability. You will work alongside shelter teams, housing partners, landlords, and community providers to help youth take real steps toward safety, stability, and independence.

If you are organized, persistent, good with people, and believe young people deserve support that is practical, respectful, and rooted in dignity, this could be a great fit.

We use AI tools to help us draft and format job postings so they are clear, consistent, and easier to read. But when it comes to your application, we believe people should review people.

AI is not used to screen, rank, or make hiring decisions. Our hiring team reads applications, reviews screener responses, and takes time to understand each candidate’s experience, skills, and interest in the role.