ABOUT THE COMPANY

Our Mission: Since 1981, the Orangewood Foundation has passionately advocated for young people facing foster care, homelessness, and trafficking. Our mission is to empower these individuals by supporting the futures they envision, providing dedicated one-on-one support to help them achieve their dreams and goals.

Our Programs & Services: We provide programs and services in four essential areas: Basic Needs & Support, Education, Life Skills & Employment, and Transitional Housing & Support.

Our Vision: A community where every young person thrives. This is our long-term goal for young people in Orange County. We embody this goal every time we talk to a young person, a volunteer, a community member, and to each other. 

Our Commitment: Equal Opportunity Employer, Flexible Scheduling, Powerful Teamwork, Personal Fulfillment, Thriving Community, Professional Development, Mental & Physical Wellness, Competitive Compensation.

Our Values: At Orangewood, recently ranked #27 in Best Places to Work 2025, we take pride in fostering a positive and supportive workplace culture. We ask all staff to uphold the following core values: Trust, Respect, Empathy, Inclusion, and Advocacy.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Housing Support Specialist 

Employment Classification: Full Time / Hourly 

Shift: Monday- Friday, 8:30 am-5:00 pm

Reports to: Youth Emergency Services Supervisor 

Department: Programs

Program Summary

Emergency Services & Housing Specialist – assists and coordinates housing supportive services to meet the needs of youth experiencing homelessness by developing housing and service plans through case management. Enroll youth into the Coordinated Entry System, maintain

enrollments, and provide linkages to external services to connect participants to additional long term housing resources.

Position Summary:

The Housing Support Specialist assists and coordinates housing supportive services to meet the needs of youth experiencing homelessness by developing housing and service plans through case management. In this position, the Specialist also enrolls youth into the Coordinated Entry System, maintain enrollments, and provide linkages to external services to connect participants to additional long term housing resources.

When considering this job opportunity, please be aware that the role may involve high stress levels due to mitigating participant crises and potential exposure to vicarious trauma. It is essential to prioritize self-care and seek appropriate support when needed.

Major Areas of Responsibility:

• Provide trauma informed, strength-based, person centered case management services that include assessment of needs, safety planning, advocacy, referrals to supportive services and relationship building and empowerment. 
• Assist participants with navigating and accessing housing options through the Coordinated Entry System/HMIS database, link to YE program funded partners and other programs as needed. 
• Provide ongoing support to assigned case load by coaching and teaching life skills. 
• Maintain strong documentation skills and submit all documentation within a 24-hour time frame. 
• Collaborate with TAY shelters to ensure that residents are connected with resources and transition to long term housing. 
• Build lasting relationships with partner agencies to ensure that we continue to build a network of resources to support our participants.
• Support participants with community-based housing resources such as emergency, transitional and long-term housing. Always provide a warm handoff when introducing a participant to a new housing resource. 
• Provide encouragement, positive role modeling and life skills through ‘teachable’ moments while assisting participants in exploring and resolving issues related to their situation. 
• Use Motivational Interviewing (MI) as a collaborative, goal oriented, and person-centered approach to support participants’ positive behavior change. 
• Provide crisis intervention to participants and actively engage with them to reduce risky behaviors by creating verbal/written safety plans and implementing the ‘Stages of Change’, encouraging participants’ autonomy in their decisions, and providing non-judgmental care. 
• Engage in community outreach to identify partners who will best support program participants and their goals. 
• Support the Orangewood Resource Center with hands on coverage, as needed.
• Additional duties as assigned by direct supervisor.

Knowledge, Skill, and Experience Requirements:

• High School diploma and a minimum of 2 years of related experience or a bachelor’s degree in related field (Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, etc.)
• Demonstrate a moderate understanding of Trauma Informed Care, challenges/barriers with TAY population, resources available within Orange County community. 
• Ability and flexibility to work in a high crisis, fast paced environment.
• High tolerance and respect for youth survival actions, while promoting harm reduction strategies.
• Excellent listening and interpersonal skills and ability to establish rapport with young adults who may be difficult to engage within different community settings.
• Effective communication skills including writing, public speaking, and conflict resolution/mediation skills.
• Highly motivated, willing to learn, and able to work independently at times.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications: Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point.
• Homeless Management Information System database preferred.
• A Plum.io assessment is a required part of the application process, and your application will not be considered complete until the assessment is submitted. Visit this link to learn more: https://www.plum.io/about 

Essential Qualities:

• Understanding of and passion for the Foundation’s mission, vision, and values.
• Enjoys working directly with youth, volunteers, community partners, etc.
• Passion for and enjoys working directly with TAY population.

Working Environment/Physical Requirements:

• Position will require use of personal vehicle. 
• Possible evening and weekend hours with advance notice.
• Physical requirements include standing, sitting, typing, bending, and lifting up to approximately 50 lbs. (i.e. tables, chairs, food, water, etc.). 
• Possess a valid California driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance. Position requires DMV clearance. 
• Pre-employment screenings include criminal background check, FBI/DOJ fingerprinting, TB test, drug screen, and previous employment verification. 
• Modification to work schedule may be made based on needs of the Foundation.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Benefits:

• Medical – Blue Shield HMO & PPO + HRA 
• Delta Dental 
• Vision (EyeMed Network) 
• FSA – Healthcare & Dependent Care
• Mental Health through Headspace (virtual & in person therapy included) 
• EAP – through Umum & Headspace 
• Life/Disability/Accident/Critical Illness 
• Pet Insurance 
• 403b with company match 
• Cell Phone Stipend

Time-off Benefits:

• 5 Sick Days per year 
• Up to 3 Floating Holidays per year 
• Year one - 15 Days of PTO accrued at 5 hours per pay period 
• 13 Company Paid Holidays 

Orangewood Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race (including hair texture and protective hair styles such as braids, locks, and twists), religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and/or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity (including individuals who are transgender and/or transitioning), gender expression, age, sexual orientation, reproductive health decision-making, military and veteran status, or any other protected group, in accordance with all applicable federal or State laws.