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Pathways of Hope: College Program Housing Navigator

Updated: Sep 11

The following information was provided by Pathways to Hope


RATE OF PAY: $25.00 Hourly


POSITION: As part of Pathways of Hope’s Community Programs Team and in collaboration with Cypress College and NOCE, the College Housing Navigator is responsible for responsible for navigating and identifying permanent housing and helping participants sustain housing. Additionally, this position will screen all participants who are Medical/CalOptima members who are eligible for CalAIM Community Supports that we offer. This position is an integral member of the Program Team and will assist with the service navigation and housing support for participants utilizing a variety of supportive services, including prevention assistance and CalAIM Community Supports assistance. This position will make referrals to partner agencies, track outcomes related to prevention and housing, and assist, as needed, with other immediate supportive services. Additionally, it requires spending considerable time with participants in immediate need and must be able to not only assess the situation, but offer empathy, brainstorm creative alternative solutions and help participants with basic needs.


This position will report directly to the College Program Supervisor and will be part of the Program Department at Pathways of Hope.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Works directly with students/participants at either Cypress or NOCE

  • Provide triage assessment and services to determine appropriate level of care and intervention for students needing housing-related services

  • Assess housing barriers of individuals and families experiencing homelessness to determine housing and service needs

  • Provide diversion efforts to support linking student(s)/participant(s) to natural support system

  • Determine if additional assessment for housing is necessary after diversion intervention is completed

  • Provide student(s)/participant(s) with housing assessment plans, basic financial literacy, and tools for successful housing identification

  • Collect student/participant documents and determine eligibility for financial assistance

  • Track and manage program activities, student/participant data and statistics

  • Keep accurate records of program activities and assist in the completion of reports

  • Create schedules and regularly meet with recipient student(s)/participant(s), tracking progress toward goals in detailed case files with charts, progress notes, and outcome evaluation

  • Implement a trauma-informed, strengths based and harm reduction plan to overcome barriers to obtain and retain housing

  • Serve as main point of contact for the supportive services related to housing at both Cypress College and NOCE

  • Ensure communication is maintained between the agency and both Cypress College and NOCE campuses

  • Represent Pathways of Hope at community meetings and presentations, as needed

  • Participate in community outreach on and off campus, as needed

  • Enrolls eligible students/participants who are connected to Medi-Cal/CalOptima Health into the CalAIM Community Supports housing programs, as applicable

  • Receives external and internal student/participant referrals from CalOptima Health or Health for Housing Orange County (HHOC) Collaborative for members/students/participants needing CalAIM Community Supports assistance

  • Creates service referrals in CalOptima’s ‘CalOptima Connect’ database system and requests authorization(s) for Community Support(s) on behalf of students/participants

  • Completes intake with students/participants for CalAIM Community Support program(s)

  • Provides Housing Navigation and Tenancy support for all eligible and authorized students/participants through CalAIM and completes ongoing activities in ‘CalOptima Connect’ database, ongoing

    Helps complete all necessary documentation related to housing needs, including lease agreement

  • Spends time identifying housing leads and opportunities that match the student/participant needs

  • In collaboration with the students/participants, helps locate and secure housing

  • Apply knowledge of residential lease contracts to educate students/participants about their rights and responsibilities

  • Applies knowledge of relationship building to maintain landlord relations

  • Provides landlord mediation on behalf of the student/participant, as needed

  • Serves as an ongoing liaison between property managers and students/participants

  • Provides direct student/participant support through ongoing case management

  • Keeps appropriate records and complete all forms in a confidential and professional manner

  • Provides diversion efforts to support linking student(s)/participant(s) to natural support systems, as necessary

  • Inputs students/participants into Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and other databases accurately and in a timely manner, as needed

  • Enrolls students/participants into the Coordinated Entry System and refers to appropriate community queues, as needed

  • Connects students/participants to financial support including, but not limited to, security deposits and application fees, motel vouchers, food/basic needs, transportation (bus passes, gas cards), medical linkage, car repairs, miscellaneous fees, etc.

  • Makes appropriate referrals to the student/participant needs; provide information and referrals for ancillary services

  • Maintains relationships with existing partners and cultivates partnerships with additional community organizations

  • Represents Pathways of Hope at community meetings and presentations, as needed

  • Works with the Development Team to create and document program achievements in the form of success stories and student/participant photographs

  • Other duties as assigned


Knowledge

  • Housing Program Models and best practices

  • Trauma-Informed and Housing First Methods

  • Harm Reduction Strategies

  • Motivational Interviewing

  • Other various counseling methods and conflict resolution techniques founded in strengths-based approach

  • HUD definition of homelessness, Chronic homelessness, Prevention and Diversion

  • CalOptima Heath and CalAIM Community Supports

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook

  • Hunger and homelessness issues affecting Orange County community is preferred

  • Local housing resources and community-based services


Skills and Abilities

  • Respond to crisis with the ability to deescalate the situation

  • Maintain confidentiality regarding participant information

  • Work with people from diverse economic and socio-cultural backgrounds

  • Excellent boundary-setting skills

  • Excellent interpersonal and rapport building skills

  • Professional communication skills (verbal and written) and intermediate computer skills

  • Interpret, apply, and explain policies and procedures

  • Represent the program and agency in a positive manner within the community

  • Be punctual, organized, and willing to take initiative

  • Work independently with little or no direction

  • Problem-solve (identify issues and look for solutions/proactively seek to improve processes)

  • Prioritize and multi-task in a fast-paced environment

  • Exceptional organizational, planning, and coordination skills

  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, volunteers, and other partners


Education and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in human services, Social Work, or a similar major

  • Previous experience in case management, preferably working with unhoused individuals, families and/or persons in crisis

  • Proficient in Microsoft Office and case management software including HMIS preferred

  • Bilingual English/Spanish required


Compensation

This is a full-time position with a compensation of $25.00 per hour. Typical hours would be Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm with occasional attendance at evening and weekend events required.

Benefits available include health, dental, vision and life insurances, paid time off, a generous paid holidays schedule and a retirement plan enrollment option. As part of its cultural values, Pathways of Hope respects and values work/life balance.


Physical Job Requirements

· Ability to sit for extended periods of time while working at a computer.

· Uses hands and fingers to operate computers and office equipment for up to 8 hours a day

· Requires clear vision at 20 inches or less with or without corrective lenses and vision sufficient to use equipment or operate a car safely.

· Hearing and speech within normal ranges and sufficient for clear communication face to face and on the telephone

· Lifts up to 20 pounds regularly and up to 50 pounds occasionally.

Exposed to typical office environment conditions and noise levels


Equal Opportunity

Pathways of Hope is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are

committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $25.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week


Benefits:

  • 403(b)

  • Dental insurance

  • Employee assistance program

  • Flexible spending account

  • Health insurance

  • Mileage reimbursement

  • Paid time off

  • Retirement plan

  • Vision insurance

Schedule:

  • 8 hour shift

Education:

  • Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

  • Case management: 1 year (Required)

Work Location: In person



Note: Candidates interested in applying for these roles should submit online applications and can then send their resume to BusinessSolutions@ocworkforcesolutions.com. For WIOA participants interested in applying for these roles, please have their case managers send their resume to BusinessSolutions@ocworkforcesolutions.com upon completion of an online application. The BSU team will send the resume directly to the recruiters







This WIOA Title I financially assisted program or activity is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. If you need special assistance to participate in this program, please call (714) 480-6500. TDD/TTY users, please call the California Relay Service at (800) 735-2922 or 711. Please call 72 hours in advance to allow the OC Workforce Solutions Center to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this program.


The views, information, or opinions expressed by the organization(s) mentioned are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of the County of Orange and its employees.

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