The Eviction Prevention Specialist provides housing stabilization services to households facing or potentially facing eviction through education programs, mediation, referrals to community-based supports, and short-term financial assistance when available. The Eviction Prevention Specialist also assists with outreach to targeted neighborhoods and educates landlords and community partners about the program. The Eviction Prevention Specialist works a flexible schedule, including 2-3 evenings and 1 weekend day per month as necessary.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Outreach:
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In collaboration with the PM - VERP and the Crisis Response Director (CRD), create and implement an outreach plan that ensures services are available to the most vulnerable households across the designated service area.
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Lead workshops and information sessions about the eviction process, tenant rights, working with landlords, and developing household spending plans.
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In collaboration with PM - VERP and CRD, triage households, focusing on those that require immediate attention to lessen the risk of eviction.
- Conduct individual needs assessment with households that request additional supports at workshops or are referred through Court Navigators, the Housing Crisis Hotline, and community VERP partners.
- Connect households with appropriate community services and programs for long-term solutions, ensuring that the household understands the requirements and purpose of the program to which they are being referred.
- Conduct mediation sessions with participants and landlords as needed to restore communications and establish eviction prevention plans.
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When required, use Financial Assistance funds to facilitate housing stability, and effective solutions to identified needs.
- Attend community outreach events throughout the designated service area.
- Use a housing first approach to rapidly resolve the threat of eviction and address or eliminate barriers to maintaining and sustaining housing
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Develop and cultivate relationships with local property management agencies to seek housing for participants and to encourage property managers to modify tenant selection criteria to accommodate participants facing homelessness.
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Assist participants in becoming familiar and identifying financial concerns that could cause possible challenges for housing stabilization and eviction prevention.
- Other duties as assigned.
Customer Service:
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Provide service to internal and external customers according to standards as outlined in ForKids Customer CARE Manual.
Financial Management:
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Use agency resources (financial and non-financial) prudently.
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Acknowledge and follow financial policies of the agency.
Grants Data Management:
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Accurately complete all required data reporting in accordance with established guidelines.
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Participate in all scheduled data collection trainings.
Community Engagement:
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Participate in development and fundraising activities as needed and requested (ex: meeting with donors, providing tours, attending fundraising events).
QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
High School diploma with a combination of experience sufficient to meet the essential skills and knowledge of the position, with a minimum of one year of crisis counseling and/or homeless shelter or other relevant work experience.
Essential Functions, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
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Considerable knowledge of social, economic and health problems as they relate to homeless households.
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Ability to be objective and calm in a stressful environment.
- Knowledge of community and social agencies and resources.
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Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
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Ability to work with a diverse population.
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Ability to make sound judgments within the framework of existing policies and procedures.
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Knowledge of the use of personal computers and standard office software.
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Ability to accurately track and report data.
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Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers, co-workers and with representatives of other agencies and programs.
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Ability to work regular evening hours as scheduled.
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Valid driver’s license with no more than two at-fault accidents, three minor moving violations or four nonmoving violations in the past three years and no major moving violations in the past four years.