Court Navigator (Housing)

SALARY: $50,000 per year

This is a non-exempt, full-time position.

ORGANIZATION:

Metro Housing | Boston (formerly Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership) is a leading nonprofit dedicated to connecting the residents of Greater Boston with safe, decent homes they can afford. Metro Housing empowers families and individuals to move along the continuum from homelessness to housing stability. Serving more than 25,000 households annually, we work seamlessly to bridge the gaps among government, nonprofits, and corporations to continually increase our impact. With more than 30 years’ experience piloting and implementing housing programs, we have solidified our position as an industry-leading expert on navigating the affordable housing field.

MISSION:

“We mobilize wide-ranging resources to provide innovative and personalized services that lead families and individuals to housing stability, economic security and an improved quality of life.”

OVERVIEW:

The Housing Court Navigator position is funded by the City of Boston’s Office of Housing Stability and will work in the Eastern District Housing Court assisting tenants and landlords with financial and other supports.  The Housing Court Navigator will work with the in all areas of the Housing Supports Department.  This position is established as a general departmental staff position that is available to provide services in myriad capacities within the framework of Housing Supports activities. This position will work across all teams within the Housing Supports Department including primarily but not limited to; the Housing Consumer Education Center, RAFT, and Operations teams. 

The focus and daily activities of this position are dependent on needs of the department and may vary daily or, in contrast, the staff person may be assigned to cover activities, cases or a position for an extended period of time.   

REPORTS TO: HCEC Manager 

RESPONSIBILITIES MAY INCLUDE:

The statements below are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

• Attend Boston Housing Court daily to screen and answer questions;
• Schedule in-office appointments (at OHS) for participants who are found eligible for RAFT in housing court;
• As needed, provide information and referral services, and brief counseling around immediate client concerns and/or barriers to housing, including but not limited to: financial instability, legal issues, mental health issues, substance abuse, un- or under-employment, health care, and housekeeping in housing court; 
• As needed, obtain resources and services as requested and/or needed to address clients’ needs, including but not limited to: housing applications, negotiation and mediation with property owners and utility companies, fuel assistance, and shelter information; 
• As needed, administer homelessness prevention funds, including Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT), by conducting intakes, screening families for program eligibility, and meeting with heads of household directly to complete paperwork and determine an appropriate course of action: either administering funding or providing counseling and referral services, or both in housing court;
• As needed, assist clients with move-in transition supports including but not limited to; furniture and furnishings assistance, and other resources and services as needed; and
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or GED required;
• 1-2 years of experience in case management or intake and assessment with homeless households or households at risk of homelessness; 
• Familiarity with affordable housing and housing subsidies;
• Experience with crisis intervention regarding issues such as homelessness and affordable housing access; 
• Knowledge and experience with service agencies and resources for low-income and/or homeless individuals and families; 
• Willingness to work as part of a team to promote the goals of the program and organization; 
• Sensitivity to the needs of the homeless, low-income, and diverse populations; 
• Ability to work in a busy, diverse team setting; 
• Proficient with Windows, Microsoft Access, Word, Excel, and comfort learning new software and tracking systems; and
• Excellent time management, organizational, communication, and writing skills.

PREFERENCE GIVEN TO:

• Candidates with multilingual skills (verbal and written). We are seeking candidates that speak and write English and at least one of the following languages (for interpreting and translation): Vietnamese, Cape Verdean Creole, Portuguese, Cantonese, Mandarin, Taiwanese, and Spanish. 

 SCHEDULE:

• On-site: Eastern Housing Court 
• 8:45am-5pm
• Monday - Friday

Most benefits are available on your first day of work with Metro Housing | Boston. These benefits currently include:

Your and your family’s health

• Health and dental coverage on a pre-tax basis;
• Eye Med Vision plan on a pre-tax basis;
• Medical and dependent care reimbursement account;
• Company paid life and AD&D insurance and long-term disability;
• Free, confidential Employee Assistance Program;
• Voluntary life, accident, critical illness and cancer insurance.

Work/life balance

• Generous vacation, sick, and personal time;
• 13 paid holidays per year;
• Paid new parent leave;
• Flexible schedules (when available).

Retirement plan

• 403(b) plan with a company match.

Career growth

• Tuition reimbursement program;
• Internal promotions encouraged.

SIGNING AND REFERRAL BONUS: 

To continue to be competitive and because we know that word of mouth is one of the best recruitment strategies, as of November 15, Metro Housing will provide a $500 signing bonus to newly hired employees (half paid after 90 days and the remainder after six months).  We will also amend our referral bonus policy so that a staff member who refers a new employee can choose either one additional day off or the $500. 

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER