SUMMARY
The Housing Stability Navigator (IDDEAS) provides individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) and their households with a network of support services can help them move out of a cycle of housing instability and into a pathway of financial stability to include, but not limited to, eviction and foreclosure prevention and diversion, mediation between landlords and tenants, housing and homeownership counseling, financial capabilities coaching, homebuyer education, fair housing and lending counseling, attending lease signings, assistance in applying for vouchers, assistance in locating housing for voucher holders, linkage to Coordinated Entry (CoC), helping individuals and households access Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA), and referrals to both internal and external support services such as mental health individual and group therapy, workforce development, RSDI assistance (to obtain and maintain benefits), and other public benefits assistance.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
* $22 - $26 / hour, up to $2 increase with successful completion of trainings (refer to Education criteria)
o Medical/ Dental/ Vision coverage available, Free RTD ECO Pass, Sick Pay & 401(k) 4% company match to help plan for retirement. PTO.
o Certification training and exams cost coverage available.

RESPONSIBILITIES
* Provides high quality housing counseling services with respect to their overall financial situation as it relates to home ownership, budgeting, debt reduction, credit re-building and education.
* Create a budget and detailed action plan for all clients.
* Maintains official records and documents, and ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
* Maintains a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the industry.
* Maintains confidentiality of client information as required by agency and/or state and federal regulations.
* Makes referrals to internal and external supportive services such as mental health individual and group therapies, workforce development, public benefits assistance.
* Build relationships with lenders, realtors, and other professionals including landlords and property managers to develop referral sources.
* Works with program participants to evaluate current personal and family circumstances, finances, employment, and other factors that may impact housing situations.
* Assesses clients' financial situation based on the information furnished by the client. Assists clients in developing a budget and setting financial goals.
* Produces written action plan that supports the course of action that promotes the clients' best interests or the clients' choice of action.
* Follows up with the client monthly to implement the established plan. Performs elements of on- going casework as needed to provide service and problem-solving assistance for client inquiries and account management.
* Communicates program requirements to program participants and monitors program participants savings activity, match rates, and educational requirements for each program.
* Provides information to clients including, but not limited to bankruptcy, collection action, court judgment, credit education, credit reports, housing issues, consumer protection laws, student loans, fair housing, etc.
* Conducts in person, virtual, and telephone interviews to determine whether or not client has developed a general understanding of the information pertaining to homeownership.
* Informs clients of the agency services, makes referrals, and performs other duties associated with the program.
* Conducts community outreach to meet program goals.
* Facilitates preparation for audits including meetings, data and information collection and ensuring full preparedness for audits.
* Remain familiar and current with HUD requirements and counseling program regulations. Communicate changes in requirements or regulations to HSCP and HUD network and ensure compliance.
* Assists the Program Manager and Directors with special projects as assigned and other tasks deemed necessary to achieve overall goals and operate a successful program

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
* Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish working relationships with federal, state, and county agencies as well as the public.
* Ability to recognize and maintain confidentiality of all materials in the work setting.
* Remain culturally attuned to the people of the community being served, able to communicate, be sensitive and compassionate.
* Be knowledgeable of the environment and systems through which the participant must move to access programs and services.
* Engage in ongoing professional development and networking.
* Prepares materials for housing workshops.
* Facilitates Introduction to Home Ownership, and other resident engagement education classes.
* Conducts community outreach and marketing for homebuyer education, budget, and credit workshops.
* Becomes familiar with local financing programs and the mortgage programs offered in the community and by lender partners.
* Other duties, as assigned.

ALTERNATIVE WORK PLAN
This position is eligible for an "Alternative Work Plan" considered hybrid. All duties must be performed in Bayaud offices, in the community, or at the housing locations, however, some duties can be performed at home.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is moderate.

TRAVEL may include:
* Community meetings or Trainings
* Various Housing sites in the Community
* Meeting participants in the community or in their home (conducted in teams)
* Other travel as needed.
May drive personal vehicle to work locations and will be reimbursed at the federal rate for mileage, refer to employee handbook.

PREFERRED:
Experience, Education, and/or Passion working with individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disorders (I/DD) of all varieties.

SKILLS
* Excellent Microsoft Office skills, especially Excel, Outlook, and Word.
* Excellent communication skills (written and verbal), grammar, and reasoning skills.
* Gathers and analyzes information skillfully. Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
* Excellent creative problem-solving skills
* Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information without breach.
* Proficient in the use of remote technologies and software including smart phone, tablet, laptop and/or PC computer.
* Ability to encourage, support and acknowledge participants by utilizing evidence-based practices such as Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, Trauma Informed Care and Mental Health First Aid.
* Ability to communicate effectively with participants with I/DD and with staff.
* Able to manage projects independently and to report outcomes effectively.
* Experience working with HMIS, and E-Logic database system preferred.
* A commitment to agency mission and goals
* Proficient at collecting and researching data
* Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
* Ability to adapt to changes in the work environment; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
* Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Asks for and offers help when needed. Interested in ongoing learning opportunities.
* Language - Ability to read, analyze, and interpret governmental regulations. Ability to write reports and business correspondence. Effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. BILINGUAL IN SPANISH may qualify for an increased salary offer

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS
* Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from a four-year, accredited college or university in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Counseling, or other related field with a minimum of 1 year experience in providing Housing Counseling Services, Case Management, Housing Navigation, or related human services work with individuals with I/DD.
* Associate degree (A.A.) in human services, business, or other related field with 2 years' experience in case management, navigation, or public housing services with individuals with I/DD.
* High school diploma with no post-secondary education may be considered with 3 years' experience in case management or public housing services with individuals with I/DD.
* REQUIRED: Must obtain the Mastery Badge in Developmental Disabilities CSU course within 6 months of hire to be paid for by the agency. Successful completion of this certification qualifies for a $1 salary increase. OPTIONAL: Successful completion of the HUD Housing Counselor Exam will result in an additional $1 salary increase. If desired by the navigator, the agency will pay for up to three (3) attempts at the exam.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
* Mastery Badge in the Developmental Disability CSU course (Refer above)
* A valid driver's license. Must meet Motor Vehicle Requirements per Bayaud Enterprises Insurance Carrier, this is a condition of employment.
* Must have acceptable vehicle insurance coverage if personal vehicle is utilized for work.

LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. Bilingual (Spanish) may qualify for an increased salary offer.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Understanding of basic family budgeting and fair market value.

REASONING ABILITY
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
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 perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands. The employee frequently is required to talk or hear; the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and climb stairs. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.