Engagement Specialist

Position: Housing Engagement Specialist
Job Type

Full-time

Description

POSITION: Housing Engagement Specialist

JOB CLASS/GRADE: Specialist 1 / Grade 8

WAGE: Starting at $ 48,600 per year based on experience

FLSA; EEO; WC: Non-Exempt;
Professional; 8864

LOCATIONS: IRCO Greater Middle East Center (GMEC)

4915 SW Griffith Dr. Suite # 216 Beaverton, OR 97005

On-site position

FTE; FT/PT; STATUS : 1.0 FTE;
Full-Time with Benefits;
Regular

NUMBER OF POSITIONS: (1)

APPLY AT: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..org

STATUS: Full-Time with Benefits

PROGRAM(S): GMEC Housing Programs

SECTOR: GMEC

REQUIREMENTS: Must possess a valid driver's license and verification of current auto-insurance, and have full

use of an automobile during work hours

Bilingual in English and at least one of the following languages commonly spoken by clients

and community members required, including, Dari, Pashto, Farsi

This job announcement is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed in this job. This is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

Program Summary
The Greater Middle East Center (GMEC), is a service center established to empower and support communities from the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia who are living in Oregon and Southwest Washington. GMEC is proudly guided by an advisory council of community leaders and has a physical office in Beaverton, Oregon.

GMEC provides an array of community-aware approaches in services and programs and connects the communities to resources available to them at IRCO, and externally.

Position Summary
The Housing Engagement Specialist will work with clients in the Tri-County area to provide housing resource navigation assistance. Services will include linkages to internal and external programs to find stable housing, support with filling out applications and other key documents related to obtaining housing, rental assistance when needed and appropriate, and follow-up support once clients are placed to help with communicating with landlords, keeping up on maintenance and repairs, etc.

In addition to individualized support, educational workshops are held for participants (e.g., tenant rights and responsibilities) to provide proactive, preventative support for participants.

The Housing Engagement Specialist will adhere to all policies, and grant obligations.

Essential Functions

• Conduct outreach in respective communities and collaborate with service providers to identify eligible clients. Accept referrals from community leaders, IRCO staff, and other organizations.
• Conduct face to face screenings, obtain consent forms, enrollments and support clients with housing applications as needed
• Provide resource navigation to clients and connect them with rental assistance, housing resources and other support available at IRCO
• Connect clients with relevant community resources to address needs related to housing, employment, health, education and financial assistance
• Provide support to participants who are filling out applications for benefit such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), medical, as needed
• Deliver educational workshops that align with the program goals
• Serve clients using bilingual, strengths-based and trauma-informed practices
• Maintain strict confidentiality and follow all IRCO and funder policies and procedures
• Provide a client centered approach and excellent customer service that is sensitive to the challenges of the community we serve
• Maintain connections with GMEC and IRCO staff and community leaders to effectively support clients' needs
• Transport clients in personal vehicle to visit housing options when needed
• Ensure that IRCO policies and procedures are followed in all GMEC activities
• Participating in staff meetings and training to support IRCO's goals and objectives
• Perform other tasks as requested

Secondary Functions

• Support IRCO and GMEC events as needed

Requirements

Education & Experience

MINIMUM JOB SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working with multi-background communities, including communities from the Greater Middle East
• Strong local network within Greater Middle East communities
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, leadership, and communication skills. Ability to communicate professionally by email, phone, and in-person contact with people from many different backgrounds.
• Excellent time management skills
• Bilingual in English and at least one of the following languages commonly spoken by clients and community members required, including, Dari, Pashto, Farsi, required

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in case management is preferred
• Training and/or facilitation skills and experience is preferred
• Communicate effectively in a positive manner verbally, in writing, and by phone
• Strong communication skills in a multilingual, multi-background team and organization
• Knowledge of social service landscape and understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities facing the community in the Tri-County area, preferred.

Physical, Mental, &…