Housing Coordinator

The Housing Coordinator is responsible for providing safe, adequate, and affordable housing for new refugee clients. This includes working with landlords, volunteers, and JVS housing team members to ensure appropriate housing is prepared for clients before arrival. 

• High School diploma, (relevant experience may be substituted for diploma), Bachelors degree preferred.
• Minimum 1-2 years of experience working with immigrant populations and/or low-income populations required. 
• Experience with low-income housing strongly desired.
• Valid driver license with classification appropriate to operate JVS vehicles, valid auto insurance, clean driving record with no moving violations within the past three years.

• Work with the housing manager to secure housing for arriving cases, typically two weeks prior to arrival.
• Connect required utilities prior to clients’ arrival and accounts are recorded on tracking spreadsheet. 
• Complete Housing Safety Checklist, noting any concerns that need to be addressed, and filed in client’s case file. 
• Follow up with landlords on any deficiencies to the property that need to be addressed prior to move-in.
• Complete case notes on securing housing, set-up and any concerns prior to arrival of clients. 
• Schedule and coordinate with movers to deliver and set-up furniture and other housing items into residences prior to arrival of clients.
• Submit keys and lease to caseworker.
• Work with the Donations Specialist to request household items and furniture, and ensure appropriate supplies levels for household items. 
• Support quarterly landlord informational meetings to keep landlords abreast of incoming populations and troubleshoot problems.
• Coordinate volunteers to assist with housing setups and housing-related projects.
• Other duties as assigned. 

• Strong organizational and time management skills, with a proven ability to meet deadlines; able to effectively prioritize, delegate, and execute multiple tasks.
• Ability to be self-directed and highly flexible in daily work.
• Ability to work effectively in an environment that is multicultural and multilingual.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to develop positive working relationships with both internal and external collaborators.
• Effective mediation skills between landlords and client, keeping in mind that advocating for clients is the agency’s primary priority. 
• Strong computer skills and proficiency in Word, Excel, Google Docs and internet-based communication.
• Access to reliable transportation.
• Ability to drive cargo van and box truck. 

• Hours- full-time hours, mostly during regular business hours with flexibility for occasional evenings/weekends as dictated by new arrivals schedule and client needs
• Regular travel to potential homes and landlord meetings in personal vehicle with mileage reimbursement
• Up to 50% of the job will be completed in the warehouse which has neither heating nor cooling, so tolerance to extremes of heat and cold is required. 
• When not working in the community, work is typically performed in an interior temperature-controlled office work environment. Position requires periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Position requires frequent bending, squatting, sitting, standing, walking, pulling, pushing, lifting, and moving items that may weigh up to 40 lbs
• Agency cell phone will be provided for contact with landlords and other community partners.