Job Title: CE Specialist – Housing Navigator Reports to: HMIS Manager

Job Class: HMIS Administration Salary Range: $57,000 to $63,000

Status: Full Time, Exempt Location: Wisconsin

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Wisconsin HMIS Manager, and in cooperation with other ICA team members, the Coordinated Entry Specialist – Housing Navigator is primarily responsible for providing project-based technical support to homeless service agencies and database end users that use the HMIS.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Program Management and Oversight

• Identify housing in the community that is appropriate and interacts with landlords.

• Seek out housing resources that meet the needs of individual clients and develop working relationship with landlords to increase housing opportunities for clients.

• Coordinate with housing specialists at homeless service partner agencies.

• Provide support, direction, and guidance to clients in housing search.

• Provide support in communication with landlords.

• Assist, when necessary, with lease and rental agreement and obtaining signatures from all required parties.

• Adhere to Fair Market Rent Guidelines and Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations and ensure units meet rent reasonableness.

• Act as advocate for client housing issues.

• Act as an advocate for homeless housing programs.

• Assist the Coordinated Entry Manager and CoC Director, as needed.

CE Service Coordination and Community Outreach

• Attend CE meetings to answer questions and concerns, conduct review of current HMIS procedures, and recommend adjustments as needed.

• Attend regularly scheduled Housing Assessment and Placement (HAP) or other case conferences as units become available to review and place prioritized clients, assign new individuals to housing navigators, review and monitor progress of cases already assigned.

• Maintain the centralized housing placement list, which uses VI-SPDAT scores to prioritize clients for PSH or RRH based on need.

• Proactively help to establish community-wide referral networks for outreach, mental health, healthcare, benefits, and other supportive services for program participants.

• Educate, network, and represent HMIS CE activities with/to local agencies and stakeholders.

• Respond to community requests for information and facilitate trainings/presentations as needed.

• Monitor and analyze complaints and unusual occurrence data within HMIS to identify patterns reflecting system failures; recommend corrective remedies, as applicable.

• Participate as a member of various committees and/or community groups within the homeless services Continuum of Care.

Data and Evaluation – Work with the Coordinated Entry Committee (or equivalent) and the CE Manager to:

• Measure CE progress toward established outcomes.

• Analyze Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) aggregate data.

• Create project performance benchmarks and review data against benchmarks.

• Create and publish CE project progress reports and program-level reports.

• Enhance quality assurance procedures for data collection/tracking.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Experience and Education

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent related experience or training (i.e., social work, public health, public administration, counseling).

• Three years of experience working in programs that address the basic mental health, physical health, educational, cultural, and developmental needs of individuals experiencing homelessness in a culturally diverse environment.

• Minimum of two years of paid experience in a position with a high degree of independence and responsibility.

Required Background/Knowledge

• Knowledge of basic office equipment and technology; excellent computer skills.

• Database software.

• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.)

• Project management principles.

Preferred Background/Knowledge

• Advanced academic degree (Master’s, etc.)

• Experience in HMIS software.

• One to three years of technical, project-based experience or training.

• Proficient use of inter- and intra-office communication tools such as email, video conferencing, teleconferencing, MS Teams Meeting, and similar tools.

Demonstrated Skills

• Attention to detail and accuracy.

• Understanding of how to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

• Effectively present information and respond to questions from partner agencies, end users, governmental entities, and community stakeholders.

• Provide technical support to individuals with varying levels of technical knowledge.

• Understand the evolving role of data and its importance to efforts to end social problems.

• Regular, ongoing collaboration in project teams, including with remote staff.

• Cooperatively or independently author training and procedural materials or guidelines.

• Ability to learn quickly, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, anticipate and meet established deadlines and regularly produce high quality work products in a deadline-driven environment.

• Ability to work effectively and professionally with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

• Proficient use of inter- and intra-office communication tools such as email, video conferencing, teleconferencing, MS Teams meeting, and similar tools.

• Team player and collaborator with a positive attitude.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to successfully perform the essential functions.

• Standing – Approximately less than 1/3 of on-the-job time.

• Walking – Approximately less than 1/3 of on-the-job time.

• Sitting – Approximately greater than 2/3 of on-the-job time.

• Reaching with hands and arms – Approximately between 1/3 and 2/3 of on-the-job time.

• Stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling – Approximately less than 1/3 of on-the-job time.

• Talking or hearing – Approximately greater than 2/3 of on-the-job time.

• Weight lifted/force exerted – An average of approximately up to 10 pounds, non-continuously.

• Physical requirements listed are primarily applied to ability to lift and move paper supply, files, etc.

• Vision – Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less).

• Driving – Approximately less than 1/3 of on-the-job time.

Other Requirements

• A valid driver’s license and proof of current automobile insurance.

Travel/Work Schedule

• Occasional out-of-state travel for professional conferences/training (generally less than one week for each occurrence).

• May require frequent local and in-state travel for community meetings, trainings, or other project support.

• Schedule may fluctuate based on workload.

Expense Reimbursement

• Direct and necessary expenses related to required job-related activities are eligible for reimbursement. The incumbent is responsible for the timely request and submission of complete and accurate reimbursement documentation and form(s). Refer to the Personnel Policies & Practices for full guidelines.