The Institute for Human Services (IHS) is Hawaii's most comprehensive human services agency dedicated to ending and preventing homelessness. For over 45 years, we've been at the forefront of creating tailored solutions for those in crisis, offering a continuum of care that includes emergency shelters, housing programs, health services, employment assistance, and outreach.

Summary:

The Housing Specialist creates permanent housing opportunities by developing an inventory of available housing units for IHS clients. The specialist works with case management staff to maintain landlord/rental management relations and implements the IHS Supportive Housing programs to achieve successful performance outcomes of the program.

Compensation:

Starting from $21hourly, actual pay commensurate with experience.

Essential Functions:

1. Demonstrate excellent customer service consistent with the standards contained in the Vision, Mission, and Values of the organization.

2. Provide outreach and establish relationships with landlords to market housing programs and develop an inventory of available housing units for clients with a range of pricing.

3. Inspect rental units and communicate housing quality to HUD, Case Manager and client; Coordinate clients’ applications to subsidy programs such as Section 8, or other types of permanent housing solutions with Case Manager and handle lease compliance issues to assist the client in meeting tenancy requirements, i.e. payments, lease requirements, etc.

4. Conduct face to face housing presentations and schedules housing interviews with clients; Provides on-going evaluation assistance, including Housing Assessments.

5. Maintain records of referrals, assessments and placement plans in compliance with HUD Housing Counseling Plan; administer standardized client self-report measures as required by the program and as determined by the Housing & Employment Director.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

1. Knowledge of Oahu/Honolulu housing market and property managers, fair housing laws, and landlord/tenant rights.

2. Strong written documentation, communication, negotiation and organizational skills with the ability to problem solve.

3. Able to exercise judgment and work independently under general direction and effectively interact with professionals, partnering agencies and high needs clients including those with mental illness and/or substance abuse problems.

4. Possess personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and commitment to mission.

5. Flexible and able to multitask; can work within an ambiguous, fast-moving environment.

Required Education and Experience:

1. High School Diploma or equivalent GED.

2. At least one year experience working with disenfranchised or at risk individuals related in a homeless service and/or in a case management setting

3. Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and Access and/or database applications.

4. Valid Driver’s License and clean traffic abstract.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

Regular Full-time classification. Generally, Monday through Friday, with some evenings and/or weekends dependent upon employment or training activities scheduled. Hours and days may vary based on the needs of the organization.

IHS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, maintains a Drug and Alcohol-free Workplace, and is proud to be an employer of national service.