Housing Navigation Coordinator

The role of the Housing Navigation Coordinator is to provide housing navigation and outreach support for individuals and families who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness in the City of Kirkland.

Distinguishing Characteristics: The Housing Navigation Coordinator serves an integral role in the Human Services Division by providing housing navigation for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness. This position works closely with the Homeless Outreach Coordinator, who performs outreach and identifies who needs assistance in finding housing. This position collaborates with positions across the City to advance the Homelessness Continuum of Care Action Plan, in particular the Homeless Assistance and Response Team. While this position is focused on housing navigation, it will also provide outreach support as needed.

Essential Functions:Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provides effective housing navigation and outreach services to residents at risk of or experiencing homelessness in collaboration with the Homeless Assistance and Response Team.
• Develops relationships with unhoused clients to understand housing barriers and develop Individual Success Plans using a recovery and strengths-based approach.
• Conducts assessments and determines program eligibility for housing and other human services related benefits and programs.
• Advocates and refers residents to more intensive case management or treatment programs as needed.
• Provides housing resources for those at-risk or experiencing homelessness seeking additional support from the City.
• Maintains participant files and document services provided in an electronic record system with the ability to report program outcomes.
• Advocates for participants with a wide variety of other service providers.
• Coordinates and collaborates with cross-department staff, including Parks, Police, Fire, Regional Crisis Response Agency, Public Works, and Community Court to address homelessness and housing related issues.
• Coordinates and collaborates with City staff, community partners, and agencies to make referrals and connections. Works proactively with local and regional outreach teams, housing providers, and human services organizations to understand community resources.
• Identifies gaps and provides recommendations for new resources to improve quality and coordination of human services supporting people experiencing homelessness.
• Monitors client needs, trends, and issues, and raises concerns and solutions as needed.
• Provides consistent and timely communication to stakeholders.
• Educates the broader community on the City's response to homelessness using qualitative and quantitative data, including community conversations, presentations, and reports.
• Participates in regional meetings with community partners to prevent duplication of services and promote effective collaboration and access to resources.
• Fosters a positive and supportive work environment; promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace, contributes to an environment of respectful living and working in a diverse community.

• Maintains knowledge and practice of policies and procedures in the City's response to homelessness.
• Establishes and maintains effective relationships with diverse stakeholders and community members, including persons experiencing homelessness, City staff, first responders, and nonprofit partners.
• Provides culturally competent and relevant services to diverse populations.
• Provides outreach coverage for the Homeless Outreach Coordinator in their absence.
• Participates in special projects as assigned.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Performs functions as assigned in the City's emergency response plan in the event of an emergency.

Why Kirkland?

• Thorough knowledge of issues, barriers, and resources related to homelessness, housing, mental health, and substance use.
• Ability to build trust and support the needs of residents at risk of or experiencing homelessness in a responsive manner that is person-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally relevant.
• Ability to assess risk level of engagement with individuals using independent judgment to respond in a manner that is safe and appropriate.
• Demonstrated clinical engagement skills, including motivational interviewing, harm reduction, and trauma-informed care.
• Demonstrated experience maintaining professional boundaries with clients and ensure confidentiality of participants.
• Knowledge of and ability to work effectively within the regional homelessness response system with nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and other groups to collaborate and connect individuals with services.
• Ability to organize weekly schedule, prioritize tasks, follow through on given assignments, accurately show progress, and demonstrate reliability in appointments with individuals through timely and effective communication and follow-up.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Moderate computer proficiency, including electronic management of case notes and records; ability to track and report out program metrics.
• Excellent oral and communication skills, allowing for effective communication with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to attend meetings in the evenings and on weekends as needed to carry out the City's homeless response efforts.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in social work, human services, public administration, public health, or related field.
• Experience: 3-5 years of case management experience supporting individuals with housing insecurity and/or experiencing homelessness. Experience working with people experiencing homelessness, mental health, and/or low-income populations.
• Or: In place of the above requirements, the candidate may possess any combination of relevant education and experience which would demonstrate the individual's knowledge, skill, and ability to proficiently perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above.

• Master's degree in social work, psychology, or counseling is preferred.
• Knowledge and experience working in an East King County is preferred.
• Bilingual or multilingual preferred.
• Prefer American Safety Health Institute (ASHI) Healthcare provider CPR/AED/first aid certification, or the ability to obtain certification within 90 days of hire.
• Must have a valid Washington State Driver's license and ability to remain insurable under the City's insurance to operate motor vehicles.
• Upon hire, candidate will obtain the required training and certification needed to administer county screening and intake assessments.

Physical Demands and Working Environment:

• Work is primarily performed in the field, while administrative tasks are completed in an office environment.
• Field work requires being outdoors in various weather conditions.
• Work involves outreach to individuals who may be unsheltered, living on the streets, in shelters, or located in suburban campsites and homeless campsites. Interacting and engaging with individuals who are experiencing homelessness could include working with folks dealing with mental health challenges and/or substance use.
• Travel to meetings, site visits, and areas where unhoused folks are living is required.
• This position does not offer remote work opportunities and requires flexibility to support the City's outreach response, which could include day, evening, and weekend hours.
• This position encounters foot hazards as defined by the WAC, which may include any of the following: falling objects, rolling objects, piercing/cutting injuries, or electrical hazards.

Position requires a resume and cover letter for consideration of application. Please note how you meet minimum qualifications within the cover letter. Applicants who are selected for next steps in the hiring process will be invited by phone or e-mail. Candidates are encouraged to apply at the earliest possible date as screening, interviewing, and hiring decisions will be made through the recruitment period, until such time as the vacancy is filled. First review of applicants will be 15 days after original posting date.

The City of Kirkland is a welcoming community where every person can thrive and grow. We value diversity, inclusion, belonging, and work together to support our community. We do this by solving problems, focusing on the customer, and respecting all people who come into the City whether to visit, live, or work. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to creating a workforce that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. We encourage qualified applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply to our job postings. Persons with a disability who need reasonable accommodations in the application or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 425-587-3210 or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf at 711.