Job Title: Employment Specialist, Rapid Re-Housing

FLSA Status: Full-time, Exempt

Department: Rapid Rehousing

Reports To: Director of Rapid Re-Housing

Direct Reports: None

Date Issued: September 2022

Date revised: August 2023

Housing Up builds thriving communities in Washington, DC by developing affordable housing and offering comprehensive support services to homeless and low-income families. In addition to being a nonprofit affordable housing developer, we provide permanent supportive housing, rapid re-housing and transitional housing. We believe that people who have safe, affordable housing and genuine opportunities are empowered to transform their lives.

Over the past 33 years, our organization has grown from serving 14 families in one building in Northwest DC to serving more than 900 families throughout the city. Housing Up is now one of the city’s largest homeless services providers and is a critical partner in the District’s plan to end family homelessness. Housing Up is a Housing First organization and is proud to be a critical partner in Mayor Muriel Bowser’s plan to make homelessness “rare, brief, and nonrecurring”.

Position Summary

The Employment Specialist is responsible for working collaboratively with the Rapid Rehousing Program service recipients to identify vocational training and employment opportunities to work towards self-sufficiency. The Employment Specialist will assist families to increase their income. The Employment Specialist is responsible for working directly with the TANF Providers to coordinate services.

Essential Functions

• Work as a part of the Rapid Re-Housing team to set and meet goals for the service recipients regarding economic self-sufficiency.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with organizations that provide vocational training opportunities for service recipients.
• Develop, maintain, and collaborate with TANF Providers to ensure that shared service recipients meet their goals.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with employment agencies.
• Actively recruit and maintain strong relationships with employers.
• Assist service recipients with job search.
• Assist service recipients with interviewing techniques, applications, and resume writing.
• Input and update service recipients’ data into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) as well as other mandated databases.
• Participate in ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
• Attend and participate in program and staff meetings.
• Develop and submit weekly data reports.
• Other duties as required.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of experience in human services, human resources, preferably connecting with individuals who have experienced homelessness to employment or employment training services, conducting interviews and resume preparation;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Ability to work as an effective team player is essential;
• Strong organization and time management skills;
• Ability to establish/maintain community relations;
• Experience working with diverse populations;
• Provide own transportation and adequate insurance; and
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license and clear driving record.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, social work, business or human services (preferable)

Work Environment/Physical Effort

• Hybrid work environment
• Must be willing to travel to different locations throughout Washington, DC and perform home visits in any neighborhood.
• Requires ability to sit up to 3-6 hours per day with intermittent occasional walking and standing.

Salary and Benefits

Salary $50,000-$55,000 (Depending on qualifications and experience)

This position is eligible for a $2,000 sign-on bonus!

Housing Up offers a competitive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plan with company match, paid vacation and sick leave, commuter benefits, summer Fridays, tuition assistance, new hire/referral bonuses, professional development budgets, and a work environment aimed at a healthy work-life balance.

Vaccine Protocol

Housing Up has made the safety of our clients, staff, and our surrounding communities a top priority. As part of that commitment, all staff are required to be vaccinated against COVID. As a prospective and/or new employee at Housing Up, you will be required to comply with the organization’s vaccination protocol. Proof of full vaccination will be required before the start of employment in order to work at any Housing Up location. Prospective or new employees may seek a medical or religious exemption to the vaccination requirement from human resources and must have an approved exemption prior to the start of their employment. Failure to provide proof of vaccination or to obtain approval for medical or religious exemption will result in the offer of employment being rescinded.

Housing Up is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.