Housing Navigator

Position Summary:

Person in this position will be responsible for receiving, reviewing, and processing all incoming Member referrals from the Health Plan of San Joaquin. The Navigator will provide individualized client support throughout the process by helping clients address any barriers to obtaining permanent housing and by making appropriate linkages, for eligible Members, with the goal of obtaining and maintaining safe and stable housing. Essential Job Functions include those listed below.

Essential Job Functions:

• Have a strong working knowledge of housing services, supportive services, and community resources;
• Conduct outreach activities throughout the Health Plan of San Joaquin service area including street outreach, engagement, assessment, and navigation;
• Intake and assessment of incoming participants to determine eligibility and appropriate services;
• Manage a caseload of participants including maintenance of client files, development of service plans, and tracking pertinent data;
• Accept, review and process referrals within 24 hours;
• Be responsive to all incoming calls and respond to Members within 24 hours;
• Coordinate services for members with Cal-Aim Enhanced Care Management (ECM) services and other Health Plan providers;
• Assist Members in securing vital housing documents, SSI eligibility documentation, and provide support with application process;
• Provide education and training to members on Tenant and Landlord Rights and Responsibilities;
• Provide Independent living and life skills to Members;
• Coordinate with property owners and Case management Provider to address any housing issues;
• Provide Advocacy and linkages to community resources to prevent evictions;
• Follow clients through and among services to achieve housing stability and retention;
• Provide assistance with unit identification, application, and annual housing recertification process;
• Conduct unit habitability inspections;
• Provide daily, weekly, and monthly reports as requested;
• Heavy documentation; WestCare' s Clinical Data System;
• Regular contact with members to ensure there are no gaps in the activities designed to address an individual's health and social service needs, and swiftly addressing those gaps to ensure progress towards regaining health and function continues;
• Provide all services in linguistically and culturally appropriate manner, including use of interpreters for those with limited English proficiency;
• Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision, and goals of WestCare Foundation; and
• Perform any other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications:

• Two (2) years of Case Management/ Direct Outreach experience preferred; and
• Excellent communication skills;
• Bilingual preferred;
• Excellent computer skills;
• Excellent documentation skills;
• Be able to multi-task; and
• Valid driver's license
• Must maintain and execute confidential information.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse communities.
• CPR Certification, First Aid Certification, and an Annual Tuberculosis test

Education:

• Graduation with a two-year degree in Addiction Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Community and Human Services, Rehabilitation Counseling or a related field is preferred; and
• High School diploma or equivalent is required.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in a combination of office and outdoor settings; and
• Travel is required.

Physical Demands:

• Occasional lifting of more than 50 pounds.
• Transportation of clients in company vehicle
• Occasional risk of intensive physical activity with client; and
• Sitting, standing, walking, reaching are performed in the normal course of the position; and
• The normal work routine involves no exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues, BUT exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee engaged in Category II tasks;