Otero County Health Department - YEEHAW Housing Navigator

General Statement of Duties

This position is grant-funded for two-years with the possibility of continued funding.
This position will act as a driving force in reducing housing instability, working very closely and deliberately with the Yielding Effective Entry to Housing & Well-Being (YEEHAW) Taskforce.
Additionally, the YEEHAW Housing Navigator will work alongside peer support specialists to ensure comprehensive client support and outreach.

Supervision Received:

Works under the general and direct supervision of the OCHD Executive Director.

Supervision Exercised:

Program support staff, if employed.

Classifications:

OCHD program-director level.
FLSA exempt.
Full-time.
2-year grant funded position with Colorado Division of Housing.

Essential Duties, Responsibilities, Functions, etc. - General:

Attend and participate in monthly OCHD staff meetings.
Attend and participate in meetings and training as deemed necessary by the Executive Director.
Participate in and satisfactorily complete all assigned training and educational opportunities.
Read, understand, and assist with reporting and completing contract deliverables and associated agreements.

Outreach & Housing Navigation:

Conduct regular street outreach to build rapport and assess needs of individuals experiencing homelessness.
Develop individualized referral and resource navigation plans, connecting individuals with resources (shelter, food, healthcare, etc.).
Advocate for individuals experiencing housing instability with service providers and landlords.
Work to help people obtain needed documents like IDs and birth certificates.
Coordinate with YEEHAW volunteers involved in street outreach.

Collaboration & Networking Duties:

Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with key stakeholders across the region and state, including government agencies, service providers, community agencies, housing providers, local businesses, civic groups, faith-based organizations, and YEEHAW Taskforce members.
Foster a collaborative environment to facilitate effective communication and resource sharing.
Liaise between various partners and teams to establish shared knowledge of available services and resources.
Report to YEEHAW steering committee at least monthly.
Meeting preparation and coordination for YEEHAW taskforce monthly meeting.

Housing Navigation:

Lead and oversee projects aimed at finding and securing stable housing for individuals experiencing housing instability or homelessness.
Identify and develop relationships with landlords and property managers, including securing Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) to formalize partnerships and ensure consistent unit availability reporting.
Assist individuals with housing applications, paperwork, and inspections.
Negotiate leases and resolve housing-related issues.
Provide post-housing support to ensure successful tenancy.
Research and maintain a robust, centralized database of available housing resources, making it accessible to the community.

Data & Program Evaluation:

Collect and analyze data on homelessness in the Arkansas Valley, utilizing the Homelessness Management Information System (HMIS) to coordinate housing and care for individuals experiencing housing instability.
Track housing outcomes and program effectiveness, including documented referrals to care and case conferencing sessions.
Prepare reports for funders, stakeholders, and the public, leveraging data analysis to inform decision-making and assess the impact of system changes.
Maintain accurate records of all taskforce activities.

Coordinated Entry/Case Conferencing and Follow-Up Duties:

Facilitate and/or co-design Coordinated Entry System and Case Conferencing meetings.
Utilize case conferencing best practices such as bucketing individuals, using data to identify process bottlenecks, and establishing accountability structures.
Implement follow-up procedures to track client progress and outcomes.

Coordination of Ongoing Community Education Duties:

Pinpoint and amplify training and capacity-building necessities for agencies and key players.
Spearhead transformative training sessions, workshops, and seminars.

Change Management and System Improvement Duties:

Lead change cycles and identify areas for improvement using qualitative and quantitative data.
Develop and implement evidence-based practices and strategies to enhance service delivery and outcomes.
Identify gaps, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement and develop action plans to address them.

Essential Skills, Abilities, Knowledge, etc.:

Ability to form relationships with strategic partners, e.g., government agencies, non-profit agencies, schools, businesses, faith-based communities, etc.
Understanding of substance use disorders.
Comfort with and ability to discuss substance abuse disorder topics.
Display empathy towards those struggling with substance use disorder.
Familiarity with local and regional communities and their resources.
Ability to speak effectively and professionally in public to a variety of audiences.
Display and maintain professional demeanor.
Ability to write clear, concise, and grammatically correct letters, reports, and other forms of communication.
Ability to identify problems and develop solutions through motivational interviewing with clients.
Ability to facilitate discussions and meetings.
Strong organizational skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and project management software.
Willingness and ability to learn and grow to meet any changing requirements of the job.
Ability to meet with and educate others about the project during times that are convenient for the community members and professional practices (i.e., mornings, evenings, weekends).
Attention to detail, accuracy, and neatness.
Ability to work with noise and interruptions.
Ability to work independently.
Ability to work well with fellow staff and community.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality where required by law.
Ability to serve the public in a diplomatic, friendly, and efficient manner.

Special Requirements:

Current, valid driver's license.
Reliable transportation.
Properly insured vehicle.

Desired Education and/or Experience:

Lived experience with housing instability strongly preferred.
Bachelor's degree in social work, public administration, community planning, or a related field is preferred but not required.
At least 2 years' experience in project management, systems coordination, or homelessness services, with a focus on community-based initiatives.
Demonstrated experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder collaboration, change management, and continuous quality improvement methodologies.
Knowledge of data analysis and reporting tools to inform decision-making and track progress.
Experience working with government agencies, non-profit organizations, and community based services.
Must have comfortability working with vulnerable populations including unhoused individuals, individuals with substance use disorder, individuals with mental health diagnoses, individuals with disabilities, etc.

Physical/Environmental Demands:

The following physical/environmental demands are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the job. Reasonable, appropriate accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job.

Primarily office-based, with frequent travel within the region to meet with stakeholders and attend community meetings.
Must be comfortable working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, with shifting priorities and timelines.
Regular interaction with diverse populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness, service providers, and government officials.
Some meetings or community events may occur outdoors or in non-traditional settings.
Requires driving and work in the field (out of the office).
Dexterous use of both hands.
Position involves moving, bending, walking, and lifting up to 30 pounds.
May require corrected vision and hearing. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
Position will be meeting in person, sometimes one-on-one with individuals experiencing homelessness. This may include individuals experiencing mental health diagnoses, substance use disorder, trauma, physical disabilities, etc.

Policy Requirements:

Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview, and reference check are required, job related tests may also be required.
Employment is contingent upon the applicant passing a mandatory post-offer employment medical physical, a mandatory Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) background check, and a mandatory post-offer employment drug screen.
Verification of any combination of driving record and/or workers' compensation history may be made.
No medical inquiries will be made, or workers' compensation information gathered until after a conditional job offer has been given to the applicant.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.