Housing Specialist

MISSION STATEMENT : To be a beacon of light by transforming lives in the Vincentian spirit of charity, justice, and mercy through interpersonal connectivity.

SUMMARY : The Housing Specialist I shall provide direct services to enable eligible clients to locate affordable, safe and sanitary housing. The Housing Specialist will network with property owners, managers of housing units, and maintain a list of landlords that can readily assist our veterans.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES : (These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed.  Employees will be required to perform other job-related duties as required. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at this time).

• Responsible for identifying and engaging landlords through a variety of methods in order to develop sufficient affordable housing stock for Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) program.
• Assists eligible families in locating and renting suitable housing; computing and preparing financing arrangements and monitoring owner / tenant compliance with standards.
• Maintain linkage between Agency, landlord and client.
• Develop and maintain (i.e., update) a database / listing of available housing stock for clients.
• Responsible for coordinating and / or performing Housing Inspections.
• Makes referrals to agencies and departments for the resolution of applicant housing issues.
• Investigates tenant and owner complaints and conducts follow-up visits.
• Makes appropriate referrals for assistance when client’s needs cannot be met.
• Maintains required client, legal and administrative record and statistical data as required by St. Vincent de Paul CARES and program funders including use of HMIS.
• Responsible for collecting all necessary documentation for client files.
• Networks and collaborates with other agencies and represents the agency at community functions, which may include public speaking and presentations as directed by Program Manager.
• All other duties as assigned.
• Demonstrates a commitment to serve all people with respect and compassion.
• Works in a spirit of cooperation with all external and internal stakeholders.
• Will make a Commitment t o Serve all people with Respect , Compassion , and Cooperation.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES :

Employee Benefits :

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES : (To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform

each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.)

ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES : (To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.)

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE : (Pending on position and if prior to hire is approved by Chief Executive Officer, a comparable amount of training, education or experience may be substituted for the minimum education qualifications).

GENERAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS : These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation can be made, if appropriate, to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of job. Working in an office / site requires prolonged sitting at the computer workstation; standing, bending, reaching, lifting up to 20 lbs. and some driving. Requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate standard office machines such as computers, fax machines, calculators, telephones, and other office equipment. It is also required to regularly sit, speak, and listen, the employee is also required to walk, use hands and fingers to type, operate equipment, and maintain records and notes. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

MENTAL DEMANDS : Must handle new and diverse work problems on a daily basis. Personal maturity is an important attribute. Must be able to resolve problems, handle conflict, and make effective decisions under pressure. Must have the ability to listen objectively to people, perceive the real problem and assist in bringing issues to a successful conclusion. Must relate and interact with, volunteers, clients, contractors, visitors and employees at all levels within the Agency.

WORK ENVIRONMENT : Environment will occasionally become noisy due to equipment operations and interactions among clients and staff. There may be the possibility of being exposed to communicable disease, possible exposure to verbal abuse or similar behavior from residents / clients. On an as needed basis, employees may be called upon to work outside of the established work schedule or work odd hours. All information associated with the Agency is confidential.

St. Vincent de Paul CARES is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About St. Vincent de Paul CARES :

SVdP CARES is a non-profit organization committed to ending homelessness : making it rare, brief, and one-time.

With “Housing First” principles at the core, all SVdP CARES programs are built on the belief that everyone has the right to live in dignified and affordable housing with a healthy disregard for all community-perceived barriers to housing including employment history, criminal / credit background, mental health, addiction, or religious practices. SVdP CARES works to rapidly house those experiencing homelessness within 30 days and concurrently connect them to resources and stabilization support services to assist their needs.

SVdP CARES serves 19 counties across 7,678+ square miles of Florida including Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Desoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, and Sumter counties.

Everyone is welcome through our doors, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, ancestry, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, and gender identity.