ABOUT THE COMPANY

Founded: 1981

Mission: To strive for equity for our youth by valuing and supporting the life they envision.

Values: Trust, Respect, Empathy, Inclusion & Advocacy

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Housing Identification Coordinator 

Employment Classification: Full-Time; Salary; Exempt

Reports to: Director of Support Services

Department: Programs

Program Summary: Support Services assists transitional age youth as they navigate adulthood by addressing needs such as sustainable wage employment, education, and stabile housing.  

Position Summary: Prospecting, recruiting, engaging, retaining, and expanding a network of property partners who are eager to rent safe and sustainable housing to transitional age youth (18-25). Cultivate and solicit available rental units. Work collaboratively across programs to assess young adults housing needs and connect them to available permanent housing options. 

Major Areas of Responsibility:

• Contribute to and implement a trauma-informed customer-focused strategy to prospect, recruit, engage, retain, and expand the network of property providers (landlords, property managers, etc.).
• Utilize relationships with property providers to cultivate and solicit rental units for transitional age youth.
• Collaborate across all programs to identify and meet specific needs of our youth, ensuring unit supply closely aligns with demand, as well as ensure clear, timely communication with property manager during the housing navigation process.
• Consistent, accurate, and timely input of data related to property engagement and unit submissions in internal database. 
• Understand the basics of rental assistance vouchers, SILP, landlord-tenant law, rental contracts, and fair housing requirements, to assist youth support specialists, program participants, and property managers/owners.
• Advocate for and educate property partners on the unique needs of Transitional age youth.    
• Manage Independent Living Program rent subsidy funds. 
• Maintain complete and accurate documentation regarding property managers, housing options, placements, and other data points as required. 
• Adheres to all areas of government contract compliance for the services rendered.

Knowledge, Skill, and Experience Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree in a human services field from an accredited college or university required.   
• Minimum of one (1) year experience of housing navigation experience with people affected by homelessness. Preferably with transitional age youth. 
• Related professional experience, possibly in external sales, donor relations, business relations, leasing, or community building, one (1) year preferred. 
• Knowledgeable about affordable housing, residential rentals, property management, real estate businesses, housing vouchers, and/or the Orange County rental market and submarkets preferred.
• An understanding of basic landlord-tenant responsibilities and experience in property management and/or landlord advocacy programs preferred but not required.
• Detail oriented to complete requirements of files, housing options inventory, data tracking, and contract compliance.
• Understand systemic issues which impact TAY such as issues with social services, law enforcement, criminal and civil legal systems. 
• Must be comfortable speaking and presenting in public.
• Comfortable with computers, Microsoft office, and data base systems.
• Maintain a flexible schedule in order to be available as needed by the Program. 
• Reliable transportation. Possess a valid California driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance. Position requires DMV clearance.
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check, FBI/DOJ fingerprinting, TB test, and drug screen. Previous employment will be verified.

Essential Qualities: 

• Understanding of and passion for the Foundation’s mission, vision, values.
• Enjoys working directly with youth, volunteers, community partners, etc.
• Demonstrates organizational operating principles of Communication and Teamwork.
• Displays the organization’s essential attitudes by approaching projects, activities, and other job functions with flexibility and a positive attitude.
• Creating relationships and building community. Ability to close a sale, solidify an alliance, and convince people to take action for themselves and the cause.

Working Environment/Physical Requirements: 

• Position may require use of personal vehicle. Physical requirements include standing, sitting, typing, bending and lifting up to approximately 50 lbs. (i.e., tables, chairs, food, water, etc.)
• Modification to work schedule may be made based on need of the Foundation.

Orangewood Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex. gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, or any other protected group, in accordance with all applicable federal or State laws.