Housing Specialist

Organizational Background

For 100 years Nationalities Service Center (NSC) has welcomed people from around the globe who seek refuge, hope and opportunity in the Greater Philadelphia area. Our mission is to empower immigrants and refugees to thrive in our communities and pursue a just future. NSC delivers a 360° client experience from early pathways to stability towards long term economic mobility. Our comprehensive and integrated services include housing and community resettlement for refugees, asylees, and victims of trafficking/torture; English language classes; legal protections and remedies; health and wellness; job readiness training and employment placement. Each year NSC serves approximately 5,000 individuals from over 110 countries.

As a 501(c)(3), NSC currently has 100+ full-time and part-time employees. Our revenue mix includes public grants and contracts, foundation grants, individual donations, fee for service, corporate sponsorships, and earned revenue. Headquartered in Center City, Philadelphia, PA, we are currently operating a hybrid-remote office schedule.

Employment at NSC means joining a resilient, motivated, and global team committed to fulfilling our mission and being ready to stand with immigrants and refugees. We believe it's important to cultivate a team that is reflective of the communities we serve, and highly encourage individuals from diverse and global backgrounds to apply.

Job Summary/Definition:

The Housing Specialist position will join NSC’s efforts to engage landlords, property managers, and newcomer clients to promote safe, sustainable housing options in the Greater Philadelphia region for the Refugee Resettlement program. The Housing Specialist will engage with landlords, property managers, and other stakeholders to promote NSC’s housing program. The Specialist will conduct housing searches on behalf of newcomer clients and negotiate leases, move-in, and related issues. This includes finding and securing housing, setting up utilities, and coordinating client move-in efforts.

The Housing Specialist has internal contacts with the Resettlement team and NSC administrative staff and external contact with landlords, housing partners, clients, visitors, representatives of other social services agencies, and the community. This position has access to sensitive NSC and client information and is expected to handle such information with integrity and professionalism. This position is expected to represent NSC in a professional manner.

This position is part-time, 24 hours a week.

Essential Functions:

Relationship Management - cultivates relationships with landlords, property managers and housing complexes to maintain an inventory of safe, suitable and affordable housing for refugees which meet contractual obligations for the Reception & Placement program and local housing regulations.

Housing Resources Contacts – maintains lists of and contacts with housing providers who provide temporary, transitional and other supportive housing for specific populations and other housing related resources

Housing Procurement & Maintenance – Ensures rental properties meet local housing laws through home safety checklists, ensure that landlords have rental licenses, their housing meets standard regulations including lead safe requirements and that documentation for these are kept on file. Ensures property utility set up and move-in procedures are secured and maintains updated tracking of utility accounts.

Education & Case Management Support – works closely with each case to ensure clients are provided the housing resources and information required.

Recordkeeping & Teamwork- Maintains accurate, timely and orderly case and database records, related documentation and prepares reports in a timely and accurate manner. Actively participates in weekly case meetings and other department, agency, community and provider meetings, as needed.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Understanding of NSC goals and objectives and ability to work and contribute as part of a larger team.
• Informed self-awareness and inter-cultural humility are essential traits in a strong candidate.
• Knowledge of electronic communication and data and general office related tools and equipment in addition to basic knowledge in Excel, Microsoft Office, and Power Point and client databases.
• Experience with Reception & Placement (Refugee Resettlement) or another immigrant serving program or lived experience as a newcomer is preferred.
• Valid drivers’ license with access to reliable transportation.
• Knowledge of local housing inventory and community resources and benefits that impact and/or benefit the targeted client needs.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks by carefully setting priorities, meeting deadlines, and scheduling time efficiently.
• Possesses strong interpersonal skills as demonstrated by compassionate, courteous, cordial, cooperative, and professional interaction with diverse groups of co-workers, external business partners, and the community.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and effectively communicate with individuals and groups.

Experience, Education, and Licensure:

Minimum Experience: Minimum of 1 year of relevant professional experience and/or working with refugee and/or immigrant populations preferred.

Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree preferred, high school diploma or equivalent required.

Licensure: Valid driver’s license with access to a vehicle and willingness to take public transportation.

Working Conditions:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
2. Although work is primarily indoors, you will be required to travel outside to client and community locations.
3. Travel in and around NSC’s service delivery area to support delivery of resettlement services to clients.
4. Position may require occasional trips to attend conferences seminars, and meetings.
5. Certain visits or work related appointments might be scheduled outside of traditional work hours as necessary.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will frequently stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or equipment; reach with hands and arms; balance; talk or hear. The employee will occasionally climb stairs; stoop; kneel; crouch or crawl; taste or smell.
2. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
3. Operate related office equipment and use necessary tools.
4. Specific vision abilities required by the job include frequent reading and close vision; distance vision; color vision; peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.

Location and hours:

This is a part-time position based in our Center City Philadelphia office. This position requires frequent fieldwork. Our regular hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Compensation:

The compensation is $22.50/hour, 24 hours/week. The position receives the benefit of prorated paid time off.

Commitment to Inclusion Statement:

NSC is an equal opportunity employer committed to a policy of non-discrimination in all employment practices and does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nor any other basis protected under applicable law.

Disclaimer:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.