Housing Specialist

Job Description

Founded in 1933, the IRC is a leading nonsectarian, voluntary organization providing relief, protection and resettlement services for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict. One aspect of the IRC is to assist refugees resettling in the United States. The IRC opened a Denver office in 2016 to provide reception and placement services to newly arrived refugees. The office is slated to resettle approximately 500 refugees and more than 700 Afghan humanitarian parolees in the current federal fiscal year. Wraparound program services and holistic supports aim to realize positive impact in clients’ safety, health, education, economic wellbeing, and power. Some services are limited to refugees and other Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)-eligible populations, while others are open to a broader population of refugees, immigrants, and forcibly displaced people.

The IRC in Denver’s approach is client-centered, empowerment-focused, trauma-informed, and multigenerational. Advancing racial equity and narrowing the gender gap are priorities for the IRC in Denver. The team’s efforts in this space are ongoing and evolving. Current work is focused on participating in learning and dialogue to deepen understanding and awareness of systemic inequities and systems of oppression; building an internal organizational culture that reflects a commitment to antiracism and gender equality for clients as well as staff, volunteers, and the broader community; engaging clients more deeply in making decisions that affect them, whether at the individual, household, program, or organizational level; using our power and influence to advocate for rules, policies, and laws that address inequities experienced by the people we serve and seek systemic change for the benefit of all who are impacted by these inequities; undertaking intentional efforts to shift dynamics and promote power sharing between leadership and the broader team as well as between staff and clients; and examining and changing practices in recruitment, recognition, and other areas of employee engagement and talent development to prioritize access to opportunity and work toward full inclusion and belonging for clients, staff, and volunteers who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and LGBTQI, as well as those with disabilities and those who have lived experience as refugees and immigrants.

JOB OVERVIEW The Housing Specialist is a key team member who collaborates with colleagues to promote a positive resettlement experience for newly arriving refugees and other eligible individuals, with a focus on delivering quality services for all clients. This position leads efforts to ensure clients’ access to stable housing on arrival and during their resettlement and integration period. The Housing Specialist represents the IRC in Denver in the local community, working to build relationships with landlords and housing providers that open doors to affordable housing for refugees, Afghan parolees, and other immigrants. They secure safe, sanitary, and affordable units, coordinate furnishing with all required furniture and household supplies, provide related logistical and purchasing support, and complete required housing-related documentation in case files and databases to meet grant requirements.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Housing Arrangements and Set Up • Identify and secure safe, sanitary, and affordable housing for newly arriving refugees in compliance with established program requirements. • Complete housing applications and assist in securing insurance as needed. • Arrange payments for deposits, move-in costs, and other items needed to secure housing. • Coordinate logistics of housing set-ups including inventory management, ordering furniture and supplies, arranging deliveries, and activating utilities. • Engage volunteers and community groups to support efforts to secure and set up housing for new arrivals. • Facilitate lease signings and renewals with clients and landlords and property managers. • Conduct home safety inspections and document housing supplies provided. • Maintain accurate inventory, follow appropriate finance and procurement procedures, and complete required documentation.

Outreach and Partnerships • Conduct ongoing outreach to current and potential landlords, property managers, and local housing authorities, and Section 8 and tax credit units. • Build strong working relationships with housing providers with the goal of increasing access to housing for refugee and immigrant families. • Develop a maintain a mapping and database tool that aids in identifying potential housing options for clients in need.

Housing Education and Support • Together with caseworkers and cultural orientation trainers, deliver housing orientations to clients to housing and providing education on home maintenance and care topics. • Coordinate client home repair requests and liaise with landlords and property managers as needed. • Document housing-related issues and consistently follow up until fully resolved. • Assist caseworkers in providing education for clients on subsidized housing options.

Other • Support other pre- and post-arrival activities and core services such as airport pick-ups as requested. • Assist casework team in applying eligible clients to various Section 8 lotteries and waitlists. • Research potential new vendors for needed furniture and household items and establish new vendor relationships in accordance with IRC procurement policies. • Satisfy recordkeeping requirements and ensure complete and timely documentation of activities. • Other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college or equivalent combination of work and/or lived experience. • Minimum of 1 year of relevant professional experience required. • Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations preferred. • Strong relationship building, diplomacy, and networking skills; ability to effectively build internal and external relationships. • Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment. • Self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the proven ability to multi-task, prioritize duties, and manage time effectively. • Superb organization, planning, and logistical skills. • Flexibility and persistence in the face of challenges. • Attention to detail and accuracy in work product. • Commitment to working collaboratively with colleagues to promote a positive resettlement experience for IRC clients. • Ability to regularly lift ~50 lbs. • Fluent in English, both spoken and written. • Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook); ability to use the internet and other digital tools for data entry, research, and problem-solving purposes. Experience with Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) and Salesforce a plus. • Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable, insured personal vehicle.

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires candidates who are selected for interview to furnish proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 to be considered for this position.

WORK ENVIRONMENT • At present, the IRC in Denver office is partially open. Hybrid remote/in-person work modifications are in place due to ensure staff and client safety given public health guidance related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff will be provided with IRC laptops and cell phones and must have access to a location with secure internet service where remote work can be performed according to the schedule negotiated with their supervisor. • All staff are required to adhere to IRC’s COVID risk mitigation policies, which include but are not limited to masking, physical distancing, enhanced hygiene practices, symptom screening, and isolation and quarantine when needed. In some cases, these policies may be stricter than those imposed at the federal, state, or local level. • The IRC in Denver strives to offer a positive working environment, with intentional efforts to ensure that it is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible for all. Staff are required to adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates under policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation. • This role entails periodic travel in and around the Denver metro area to attend meetings, carry out the responsibilities outlined above, and represent the IRC with donors, partners, and vendors. • Hours outside of typical office hours, including weekends and evenings, are occasionally required.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS This position is a full-time, regular position scheduled at 37.5 hours per week. It is classified as non-exempt, paid on an hourly basis and eligible for overtime under state and federal law. Starting compensation is $21.00 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications. As a regular, full-time employee, the Housing Specialist qualifies for the IRC’s phenomenal benefits package, which includes: • Generous paid time off with 20 days of paid vacation per year, 10 days of paid sick leave per year (not inclusive of paid COVID leave), and at least 9 paid holidays per year. • Outstanding medical, dental, and vision care benefits with low employee premiums. • Optional health care and dependent care flexible savings accounts and commuter benefits. • Life, accident, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance. • Comprehensive parental and family leave benefits. • A 403(b) retirement savings plan that offers generous employer contributions and a matching contribution program. • A comprehensive employee assistance and resilience program. • Business travel medical insurance, access to Guardian Nurses, and more.

In addition, the IRC in Denver actively promotes learning and growth for its team members, through staff development accounts that allow staff to engage in individualized goal-aligned professional development, access to a range of talent development offerings to build skills in a wide array of areas from humanitarian principles to management skills, and opportunities to lead and engage with colleagues from across the IRC through communities of practice, special assignments, and designated roles that represent the Denver office, whether here in the U.S. or globally.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at [email protected] to request an accommodation.

Qualifications