JOB TITLE: FAIR HOUSING ENFORCEMENT SPECIALIST
DEPARTMENT: Service Integration
SUPERVISOR: Empowerment Programs Manager
CLASSIFICATION: 1 (FTE), Non-Exempt, Full-time, 40 hours per week, 8:30 am-5:00 pm Monday through Friday, with some evenings and weekends. Eligible for telecommuting. Local travel required.
SALARY: $24.50 – an hour (commensurate with education and experience)
SCOPE OF WORK: The Fair Housing Enforcement Specialist has a responsibility to provide a wide range of wrap-around services and build a rapport with community members experiencing homelessness or housing instability. The Fair Housing Enforcement specialist will offer a wide variety of stability services and advocacy for African American/ Black community members in need of safe, stable housing. The Fair Housing Enforcement Specialist will work with program participants holistically and help them access necessary social services and act as a personal advocate for obtaining permanent housing. The Fair Housing Enforcement Specialist will provide individualized support throughout the entire journey by helping each community member overcome any barriers, assess their support, and set achievable long and short-term goals for a holistic.
COVID-19 Requirements: All employees must have completed a COVID-19 vaccine series that has been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or by the World Health Organization (WHO) before beginning work.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide supportive services in a culturally responsive, non-judgmental manner using a strengths-based framework of assertive engagement.
- Coordinate intake and individualized needs assessment for community members. Work with participants to develop short- and long-term goals that address barriers to obtaining services/housing. Some participants will require permanent support in retaining and maintaining housing, and some will need very short-term financial assistance, and fair housing enforcement specialists will assess these needs and make decisions on length and depth of service
- Monitor and evaluate each participant’s progression towards their goals and develop modifications to the plan, as necessary.
- Provide information, “hands-on” referrals, linkages, and personal advocacy to assist participants in accessing services and resources. Directly assist participants with obtaining necessary documents and services such as identification cards, birth certificates, social security income, disability income.
- Assist participants with housing applications, completing supportive and subsidized housing paperwork, surveying the rental market for affordable housing, and advocating for community members with prospective landlords, property managers, and property owners.
- Promote culturally responsive mediation between participants and medical, housing, and social service systems while building individual capacity to self-advocate. Provide holistic, culturally appropriate, and accessible life skills education and information and responsive crisis intervention and prevention for participants.
- Work in partnership with Urban League Community Health workers, Employment Specialists, and Community Health navigators, including reporting and intake documentation to complete follow-up and retention services.
- Maintain all related data tracking systems, including case notes, stability matrix, and complete HMIS entries. Prepare related reports including outcomes, successes, and challenges, including generating data for monthly reports.
- Contribute to the overall agency efforts by completing other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:
- Commitment to and knowledge of social justice issues and the dynamics of social change, the history, and mission of the Urban League of Portland, and expertise in the present scope of Urban League service and advocacy programs.
- Knowledge and understanding of structural racism and Anti-Blackness as it relates to housing.
- Knowledge and understanding of working with low-income families and specifically within the African American community, particularly with those experiencing substance abuse disorder, mental illness, or homelessness.
- Knowledge of emergency, social, education, domestic violence, health, human services, and information/referral systems.
- Demonstrated computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suites with an emphasis on Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook programs.
- Skill in motivational interviewing, assertive engagement, case conferencing, and coordination of services both by phone and in-person.
- Ability to take initiative and prioritize tasks; good time-management, crisis prevention, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong written and oral communication skills; ability to communicate effectively and project a professional image when giving and taking information in writing, in person, and over the phone.
- Ability to listen and develop rapport and relate well with community members.
- Ability to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information.
- Ability to work cooperatively with others and support the goals and mission of the Urban League of Portland.
- Ability to furnish proof of vaccination for COVID-19.
- Possess a valid driver’s license and verification of current auto insurance and have full use of automobile during work hours.
- Ability to use basic office equipment, telephone, copy machine, fax machine, and computer.
- Ability to sit, stand, walk, drive, talk on the phone and/or use the computer for long periods of time.
- Ability to travel from various locations and worksites during the workday.
- Ability to occasionally lift 20 pounds and transport around worksites.
EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor’s degree or 3+ years paid work experience in a relevant field, required.
- Demonstrated knowledge of how to support African American individuals and families experiencing homelessness or those residing in any type of supportive housing, required.
- Must have a car for daily use, in-state insurance with your name on the policy, and a valid Oregon state license, active for at least one year with an acceptable driving record. Required.
- Experience with Apricot case management software and Service Point (HMIS), preferred.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer on a periodic basis.
- Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds at times.
- Bend, twist, lift, carry, move items 20 lbs. to 100 lbs.
BENEFITS:
Within your first year of employment the Urban League of Portland is excited to offer the following benefits after 90 days of successful employment:
- 100% employer paid medical, dental and vision for qualifying employees and their additional dependents
- 21 days of PTO in your first year
- 12 paid holidays
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Life insurance
About the Urban League of Portland: Established in 1945, the Urban League of Portland is one of the oldest African American service, civil rights, and advocacy organizations in the region. We are part of a network of over 90 National Urban League Affiliates across the country and are recognized as one of the leading voices for African Americans and others in Oregon and Southwest Washington. We are a key coalition-builder amongst other organizations, and work extensively with both traditional and emerging groups, the faith-based community, businesses, and other organizations, including those serving immigrants and refugees. The Urban League of Portland’s mission is to empower African Americans and others to achieve equality in education, employment, health, economic security, and quality of life. Our programs include a distinctive blend of direct services, organizing, outreach, and advocacy. We offer workforce services, community health services, summer youth programming, senior services, meaningful civic engagement opportunities, and powerful advocacy.
Equal Opportunity Statement: The Urban League of Portland is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified employees and applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, mental or physical disability, or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.