General Description:

Under the direct supervision of the Homeless/Housing Programs (HHP) Coordinator, the Level 2 Housing Counselor is responsible for the provision of housing counseling and case management including financial assistance for low-income people in the New River Valley who are homeless. The Housing Counselor assists with housing search and placement along with providing supportive services that will assist the participant household to maintain permanent housing.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develops a housing procurement, financial, and self-sufficiency case management plan with clients. This will include an intake interview to determine the client’s needs, goals, and eligibility. Assists participants in the development of an individualized goal and action plan that promotes permanent housing and self-sufficiency.
• Provides case management and housing counseling in accordance with the developed plan, including financial assistance to applicants with the approved case management and housing counseling procedures. Follows Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and NRCA approved screening, intake and application procedures. Establishes rapport and a good working relationship with each client. Maintains confidentiality of family records and information.
• Assists in the development of and encourages adherence to a personal budget through the pro-active housing and budget counseling sessions; provides budget counseling and education to assist clients in establishing payments plans for bills and past debts, and assists clients in obtaining and maintaining their housing.
• Assists participants in locating and securing the housing of their choice.
• Provides mediation and advocacy with landlords on the client’s behalf to develop a workable plan to obtain or maintain housing.
• Creates and maintains consistent communication channels, both verbal and written, between all involved parties (i.e., tenant, landlord, referral source, collaborating agencies, debtors, and creditors). Serves as an ongoing liaison between property managers and participants as well as between participants and neighbors.
• Provides information and referral assistance regarding available support from appropriate social service agencies and community programs. Identifies participant strengths and barriers to stability, and assists participants in reducing barriers and linking to resources and services.
• Meets weekly, or more often as necessary, with Coordinator to establish a work schedule and discuss cases.
• Provides all services and documentation as required by funding source and agency. Maintains neat, accurate, complete case files on each applicant. Enters client data into NRCA client database as required and other data entry as required by grants.
• Tracks financial assistance to clients and monitors spending for grant compliance. Completes voucher forms, vendor authorization forms, and tracks payments sent on behalf of clients receiving financial assistance. Reviews spending and progress on monthly performance goals with Coordinator at weekly supervision meeting.
• Conducts outreach with local landlords to inform them of agency services and procedures, and to identify landlords who are willing to accept clients who meet program criteria. Works with landlords of current clients to ensure payments are received and the client is meeting the obligations of the program.
• Conducts home visits for Basic Habitability Checks and Lead-Based Paint inspections as required by the grant. Provide pro-active follow-up home visits to ensure stability and further progress towards self-sufficiency, including support, advocacy, reducing isolation, listening, problem-solving, and identification of resources to assist with the reintegration of participants in the community.
• Applies knowledge of residential lease contracts to educate clients of their rights and responsibilities.
• Transports clients as deemed necessary. Transportation requirements should be limited to housing and job searches and the occasional visit to relevant social service agencies.
• Participates fully in staff meetings and training experiences as deemed necessary by the supervisor.
• Works within required state and federal guidelines; follows agency policies/procedures in all areas.
• Professionally represents NRCA in the community.
• Personally reports to Department of Social Services all suspected child, aged or incapacitated adult abuse and neglect as required by law and documents accordingly. The Commonwealth of Virginia mandates the reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect within 24 hours to the local DSS. Informs supervisor of all reports to Department of Social Services.
• Performs all other duties that advance the philosophy and goals of the program and NRCA as deemed necessary by the supervisor.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Must:

• Maintain regular attendance and perform job duties and responsibilities in a satisfactory manner. Notifies supervisor by 7:30 am if unable to report to work.
• Have no impairments which would impede the ability to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Be capable of exercising good judgment in dealing with clients.
• Possess knowledge of social and economic needs; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; ability to communicate effectively, both oral and written.
• Have the capacity to problem solve, handle crises, and work with families and children of various cultures from low-income backgrounds.
• Have an approach to working with families that is empathic, nonjudgmental, respectful, and professional.
• Have a willingness and ability to utilize a computer in managing client data to meet essential job requirements. May be required to use a computer up to 4 hours on a given day.
• Have the ability to fluently use or learn to use Microsoft Office and online databases.
• Have excellent communication skills, particularly listening, mediation, and writing skills.
• Possess strong organizational skills with the ability to meet a demanding workload.
• Be detail oriented to complete requirements of files and contract compliance.
• Have knowledge or understanding of tenant’s rights and responsibilities.
• Have concentrated record keeping, budgeting, and mathematical skills; ability to produce required reports to federal, state and local government agencies and funding sources.
• Demonstrate knowledge of community resources, social service agencies, and landlords.
• Be sensitive to cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the population served.
• Possess the ability to work collaboratively with other personnel and service providers or professionals.
• Maintain a role to empower clients and to intervene appropriately to meet service goals
• Be able to become certified as required by funding sources and participate in training required for Housing Counselor certification (training sessions held out of the area).
• Be able to become certified in Rental and Homeless Counseling.
• Be willing and able to become a member of the related professional associations and attend meetings.

Before employment, the applicant must sign authorizations for NRCA to perform DMV and Criminal Record Checks. These will be used to demonstrate that a satisfactory driving record and no pending or found charges or convictions related to abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation of children or adults are present. This information can also be used to determine if any other felony or misdemeanor charges, which would conflict with the mission and philosophy of the agency, are present.

Driving is an essential function of the job. Must possess a valid driver's license and safe driving record. Must be able to drive up to 4 hours per day, but may be required to drive more than 4 hours in a given day. Some night driving may be required for an out of town training or meeting.

If an agency vehicle is unavailable, must have a vehicle with valid inspection and insurance meeting minimum state requirements available for transporting individuals and families within the New River Valley, and in pre-approved cases outside the New River Valley. Mileage reimbursed by NRCA.

Education and Experience Requirements:

An associate's degree in Human Services or a related field plus one year of related experience.

Full-time, 40 hours per week. Benefits are available on the first of the month after 30 days of employment.

NRCA conducts pre-employment criminal background and driving record checks. Possession of a valid driver’s license and a good driving record are required.

Application Deadline: March 28, 2023, at 5:00 PM or until the position is filled. USDA is an equal opportunity provider. EEO/AA