System Navigator en HOUSING FORWARD

Description

JOB SUMMARY: 

The System Navigator provides mobile engagement, support and case management for unaccompanied youth (18-25 years old) experiencing homelessness or housing crisis, one on one community resource navigation, support in creating individualized goal plans, and assistance in helping reach those goals. The purpose of the System Navigator is to help homeless and at-risk youth increase independent living skills and prevent them from entering the homelessness services system if possible or help them to rapidly exit the homeless system into the most safe and permanent arrangement available.          

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Build upon knowledge of wide array of resources in the community to meet the holistic needs of clients.
• Provide targeted outreach to the communities in the region to identify and engage homeless youth who are couch surfing, squatting, or living on the streets or other places not meant for human habitation. 
• Collaborate regularly with other Youth Navigators and Outreach providers to ensure thorough coverage of the region, including any spots likely to be frequented by youth who are homeless or unstably housed. 
• Engage strategically with community stakeholders, including at police departments, libraries, medical facilities, schools, parks, city and township offices, forest preserves, community centers and any other venues or personnel who might encounter or have knowledge of youth experiencing homelessness or sexual exploitation.  
• Use Trauma-Informed and LGBTQI competent engagement techniques to build a rapport with youth encountered. Prioritize patient, gentle, persistent engagement with the most vulnerable and highest acuity youth. 
• Quickly identify unaccompanied minors and engage and collaborate as needed with the Comprehensive Community-Based Youth Services (CCBYS) system. Serve as a mandated reporter of child abuse and /or neglect. 
• Offer basic needs and sundries (e.g. food, personal care items, clothing, first aid supplies, safer sex and other harm reduction supplies, etc.) to homeless youth who are encountered. 
• Screen and assess clients for basic and other needs using a strengths-based model, and provide resources, referrals and linkages to other social service venues and agencies, including shelter and daytime support centers as requested and appropriate. 
• Conduct safety planning and provide crisis intervention using Psychological / Mental Health First Aid, non-violent crisis intervention and other skills and strategies as needed. 
• Be attuned to risk factors and signs of Domestic Violence, sexual exploitation and Human Trafficking, and provide safety planning and speedy linkage to specialized support services as needed. 
• Employ Motivational Interviewing Skills and other evidence-based techniques with clients to achieve consensus on individualized goals, and practice and teach Harm Reduction and the Housing First / Shelter First model. 
• Encourage and support safe, empowering and appropriate alternatives to entering the homelessness services system if possible and help immediately secure safe and reliable shelter when needed. 
• Collaborate with the Coordinated Entry team as needed to achieve transitional or permanent housing, complete relevant assessments, enter and share data, participate in case consultation, and vigorously safeguard client’s confidentiality in all processes. 
• Coordinate service referrals with youth service providers, health care services, mental health, legal services, case management, and all other services as needed to ensure seamless delivery of service to clients. 
• Work effectively with all systems involved in the client’s life including child welfare system, CCBYS, juvenile justice, schools, and law enforcement. 
• Attend ongoing training on Best Practices for Street Outreach, Harm Reduction, Housing First, Trauma Informed Care, Cultural Competence, Positive Youth Development, Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking, Public Benefits, and other applicable topics. 
• Attend and participant in all required agency and regional meetings. 
• Transport clients or arrange for transportation to appointments as needed. 
• Other duties as assigned. 
• Assist with all reporting requirements. 

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Knowledge of available resources for youth and young adults within Suburban Cook, Cook and DuPage Counties.
• Bachelor’s degree required in social services or related field, or relevant professional and/or life experience. 
• Bilingual Spanish and English fluency highly desirable. 
• Lived experience of homelessness highly valued.  
• Ability to handle multiple high need clients in timely, organized and consistent manner.
• Computer literacy, including knowledge of computer assessment tools, data base systems and windows environment. Proficiency in Excel, Outlook and Word. 
• Ability to keep appointments punctually, take initiative, be organized and demonstrate accountability and follow through. 
• Openness to new ideas and skills, and commitment to learning through reading and with hands-on-training. 
• Sound judgement, “street smarts,” and ability to establish and maintain impeccable professional boundaries. 
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely both orally and in writing. 
• Ability to problem-solve and make decisions in chaotic and/or stressful situations. 
• Strong interpersonal and direct communication skills.  

Requirements: 

• Must have smartphone to utilize Agency communication and collaboration tools. 
• Must have valid driver’s license, proof of auto insurance, and access to personal vehicle. Individuals with this position will need to travel throughout Cook County. 
• Strong comfort level with Office 365 Suite including SharePoint and Teams 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

The physical requirements 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 perform the essential functions. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to drive a vehicle, stand; walk; sit; use stairs; reach with hands and arms balance, stoop, kneel or crouch.   

BENEFITS: 

Health Insurance: PPO, HSA, HMO Plans with premiums ranging from 0% to 10%, per month of premium based on salary. 

Dental 100% of cost paid for employee.

Vision 100% of cost paid for employee.

Life $50,000 life and AD&D paid for employee.

MyStrength, wellness benefit paid for employee.

Generous Paid Time Off 10 paid vacation days annually, years 1-2, after 24 months increases to 15 days 10 paid sick days annually 10 paid holidays annually 3 paid personal days annually.

Retirement Plan with company match of 3% 

American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement: External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job specific functions (listed within each job responsibility) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by the organization on a case-by-case basis.   

Housing Forward does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, citizenship, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, medical status, military status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, ancestry, or any legally protected status. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits and training. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, or disability.   

Job descriptions are not intended and should not be construed to be all-inclusive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with a job. While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties from particular jobs and to assign other duties, as necessary. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.