Housing Specialist

Job Title: Housing Specialist FSLA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports To: Assistant Program Coordinator Pay Range: $55,000 - $75,000

Organizational Overview

For nearly 50 years, House of Ruth has empowered women, children, and families to rebuild their lives and heal from trauma, abuse, and houselessness. We offer comprehensive services for survivors, including service-enriched housing, nationally accredited child and family development programming, and free counseling to anyone who has experienced domestic violence.

Position Summary

• Develops a therapeutic relationship with clients, assess strengths and needs, establish goals, and implement strategies for clients to obtain affordable housing.
  
  

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Identifies resources and links women to a comprehensive set of services.
• Assists women with finding affordable housing.
• Partners with landlords to foster a positive relationship with clients and agency.
• Builds relationships with community organizations, government agencies and property owners to secure living arrangements,
• Negotiate rents, deposits and move in terms on behalf of clients.
• Engage in various tasks that increase housing options for clients.
• Attends all trainings, supervision and meetings.
• Accompany and/or transport clients to appointments as needed.
• Develop and conduct a variety of psycho-education and support groups and activities, teach a range of living skills and social skills.
• Maintain a safe, secure and non-violent environment for all occupants.
• Effectively manage all emergencies by following standard procedures.
• Develop a therapeutic relationship, assess strengths and needs, formulates a housing plan and implement that plan.
• Complete and conduct monthly housing assessment and document applicable to program.
• Input and maintain database system applicable to program.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Education And Experience

• Associates degree required. Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field preferred.
• Proven track record of housing placements.
• 1 - 2 years of experience in a Housing Specialist role preferred
• Experience in a residential setting preferred.
• Must be willing to travel up to 75% throughout the DC area
  
  

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Successfully passing the following pre-employment process is required:
• FBI Fingerprint
• Criminal and sexual abuse background check
• Alcohol and drug Test
• Urine Screening
• TB Test
• Police Clearance
• Must be fully vaccinated
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be willing to travel up to 75% throughout the DC area.
  

Qualifications

• Demonstrate strong interpersonal and customer service skills with ability to engage a diverse group of people.
• Strong analytical, planning and organizing skills.
• Self-starter with good time management skills
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Products
• High level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Good problem solving skills
• Demonstrate the ability to effectively manage multiple tasks concurrently.
• Ability to exercise and model good judgment, teamwork and professionalism.
• Great problem solver.
• Team player with demonstrated ability to work with cross functional teams.
  
  

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position:

Frequently Required

• Walking, Bending, Squatting, Climbing stairs
• Getting up and down from the floor
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds
• Operating a motor vehicle
  
  

Occasionally Required

• Prolonged standing
• Reaching above the shoulder
  
  

Additional Information

The House of Ruth is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.

This job description does not restrict management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee.

All duties and responsibilities are completed according to the House of Ruth’s policies and procedures.

To apply submit cover letter and resume.