Housing Navigator in Atlanta, Georgia at Wellspring Living

Organization Type: Non-Profit, Faith-Based, 100+ Employees

Position Type: Full-Time; Salaried Exempt

Department: Post-Program Support

Reports to: Director of Post Program Support & Survivor Engagement

Hours: 40 hours per week; work hours will vary to include on-call, early morning, late evening and weekend time

Location: The Bridge Community at The Village

Position Summary: The Housing Navigator will provide administrative oversight and coordination for Wellspring Living’s “The Bridge” transitional housing program for women and their children. Additionally, this position will assist survivors of trafficking with accessing safe and affordable housing within Wellspring Living and/or the community. The Housing Navigator is the link between survivors and services, working directly with survivors and alongside case managers, social workers, and other service providers to address survivor’s needs on entry to housing services systems, while engaging the system, and after obtaining housing.

Responsibilities (include but are not limited to):

“The Bridge” Transitional Living Program Coordination

• Receive, screen, respond to, interview, and place referrals for The Bridge community

• Actively participate in the development and implementation of participant support plans and personal development plans

• Regularly interact with participants, providing strength-based role modeling, direction, and decision-making

• Coordinate and participate in monthly community meetings and activities

• Conduct monthly apartment inspections to maintain healthy living conditions

• Provide facility and property maintenance assistance, including coordination of repairs and maintenance, in collaboration with the Residential Facilities and Fleet Manager

• Engage volunteer support for the Bridge Community, including holidays and activities, in collaboration with the Volunteer Program Coordinator

• Proactively participate and collaborate to ensure safety

Housing Navigation

• Assist survivors in locating, obtaining, and retaining suitable housing, including tenant counseling (e.g., being responsible for rent as indicated in the lease).

• Assist survivors in understanding the language in leases and their rights and responsibilities.

• Educate stakeholders and landlords about housing protections available to survivors.

• Aid in lease negotiations with landlords.

• Assist survivors with challenges that may arise related to rent payment, housing conditions, or other concerns.

• Attend local housing-stakeholder meetings (e.g., Continuum of Care, Public Housing Authority) and develop relationships with local landlords and apartment associations.

• Receive referrals for housing vouchers, vet those referrals and coordinate with the finance department on fund disbursement.

• Receive referrals from Wellspring Living’s Women’s Academy and Women’s Residential Program participants that are transitioning out of those programs

Administration

• Support Director to maintain program budget compliance and oversee community and schedules

• Maintain flexibility to support organization needs as requested by the Director, with regular involvement in Women’s Residential Program and Women’s Academy

• Support the Director in building intentional connections with community partners

• Maintain regular office hour availability for participant accessibility and performing administrative functions

Healthy Living

• Develop intentional connections with the Bridge Community participants and other staff members

• Lead by example in modeling the characteristics of a Mission Driven Professional

• Provide direction and encouragement to participants

• Model healthy boundaries to participants and staff

• Provide support and crisis intervention as needed

• Embody the spirit of a lifelong learner

Professional Qualifications:

• Administrative, organizational, and computer skills including use of email and Microsoft Office suite of products

• Documentation of references (at least two professional and one personal) that attest to the person’s capability of performing the duties of the position and to the person’s suitability of working with or around children and vulnerable populations

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in behavioral or social sciences, social work, psychology, counseling, marriage and family therapy, or a related field

• Minimum one year of relevant experience, preferably with vulnerable populations

Position Requirements:

• Moderate travel among Wellspring Living locations and others in the Metro Atlanta area

• Must be able to lift objects up to 25 pounds and have the ability to work for long periods at a computer

• Satisfactory criminal history background check

• Clean Motor Vehicle Record

Skills:

• Analysis, evaluation, and objective critical thinking

• Initiative for effective administration and organization

• Efficiency and time management across multiple priorities

• Communication and collaboration

• Discretion and confidentiality for sensitive or restricted information

• Strength-based tendencies

• Relationship management across Wellspring Living staff, volunteers, residents, vendors, and partners

Character Qualifications:

• Servant Leadership: We lead with authenticity, humility, and the good of others in mind. We seek opportunities to serve.

• Power of Community: We value working together to make a difference. We recognize we cannot succeed alone.

• Appreciation for the Individual: We value every individual’s diverse experiences, perspectives and strengths. We affirm our commitment to embracing all individuals in order to nurture an inclusive environment.

• Compelled By Faith: As a Christian faith-based organization, we aim to accomplish our mission by offering compassion, and great respect, without judgment, in order to create an environment of restoration.

• Excellence in Care: We strive to provide excellent care to our participants and enriching support to staff that impacts the whole person. We are committed to continual growth, improvement and innovation.