Job Description

Background

Since 1976, St. Joseph Center has been meeting the needs of low-income and homeless individuals and families in Venice, Santa Monica, Mar Vista, and surrounding communities. The Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization that assists people without regard for religious affiliation or lack thereof through comprehensive case management and integrated social service programs. The Center enjoys broad-based community support as well as a sponsored relationship with its founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. St. Joseph Center serves approximately 6,000 individuals annually.

Brief Description of Principal Activities

Multifaceted intervention, prevention, and education services are carried out at four sites on the Westside of Los Angeles. St. Joseph Center’s integrated programs provide clients with concentrated and coordinated access to services according to the nature of their needs.

Job Description

Job Summary

In partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health through the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH) Program, St. Joseph Center will provide interim housing opportunities designed to meet the immediate needs of individuals experiencing homelessness who are living with behavioral health conditions and/or substance use disorders. The BHBH Program offers a safe, private, and secure environment where participants are empowered to stabilize, build self-sufficiency, and transition from homelessness to permanent housing.

Under the supervision of the Program Manager, the Housing Navigator works as part of a multidisciplinary team to support individuals experiencing homelessness in identifying, securing, and maintaining stable housing. This role focuses on removing barriers to housing by providing individualized support, advocacy, and coordination with landlords, housing programs, and service providers. The Housing Navigator uses a Housing First, trauma-informed, and harm reduction approach to promote long-term housing stability for clients with behavioral health needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Areas of Responsibility:

Client Engagement and Assessment

• Provide housing navigation and supportive services to individuals residing in BHBH interim housing.
• Build trust and rapport with individuals experiencing homelessness using trauma-informed and client-centered approaches.
• Conduct housing assessments and use tools such as the Vulnerability Index-Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (VI-SPDAT) or LA-HAT.
• Develop and maintain an individualized housing plan in collaboration with each client, outlining steps toward housing stability and long-term retention.
• Maintain a caseload of 1:25; 1:1 meetings with clients should take place at least once per week to monitor progress, adjust treatment goals, and maintain engagement in services.
• Provide individualized support to address each client’s unique needs, including housing, health, benefits, and other services.
• Provide housing-focused support, including budgeting, tenancy education, and conflict resolution.
• Assist clients in obtaining necessary documents (e.g., ID, Social Security card, income verification) for housing eligibility.
• Assist with completion of Universal Housing Application and other pertinent documentation when required.

Housing Search and Navigation

• Assist clients in locating, applying for, and securing safe and appropriate housing based on their eligibility and preferences.
• Support clients through the lease-up process including gathering identification and eligibility documents, attending unit viewings, and moving in.
• Provide transportation assistance and accompaniment to housing appointments when necessary.

Landlord and Community Engagement

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with landlords, property managers, and housing providers across Los Angeles; help resolve issues during and after tenancy.
• Advocate for clients with housing barriers and mediate tenant-landlord concerns.
• Educate housing providers about rental subsidy programs, supportive housing models, and fair housing protections.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with community-based organizations, law enforcement, and CES lead agencies.

Linkage to Services and Benefits

• Connect clients with physical health, mental health, and substance use services, including outpatient and specialty care.
• Assist clients with enrolling in mainstream benefits such as Medi-Cal, CalFresh, SSI, and General Relief.
• Help clients obtain essential documents like California ID, Social Security cards, and birth certificates.

Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain organized and up-to-date client files, including intake assessments, service plans, and progress notes.
• Enter data into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) accurately and in a timely manner.
• Track client progress, housing outcomes, and retention efforts in accordance with program and funding requirements.

Team Participation and Program Support

• Participate actively in team meetings, trainings, case conferences, and regional coordination efforts.
• Stay current on local housing resources, subsidy programs, fair housing laws, and trauma-informed practices.
• Assist in crisis situations by coordinating with internal and external partners to ensure client safety and service continuity.
• Develop and maintain strong ties to the community, law enforcement, the Coordinated Entry System (CES), and other homeless service providers.

Essential Duties:

• Provide case management to meet the needs of each individual.
• Build trust and rapport with individuals experiencing homelessness. Assess homeless individuals utilizing the Vulnerability Index (VI) SPDAT.
• Link clients to physical health, mental health, and other supportive services. Assist clients to enroll in mainstream benefits and obtain identification (i.e. California Driver’s License, Social Security Card).
• Keep highly organized files for each client and enter appropriate data into the region’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
• Provide transportation assistance as needed.
• Participate in SPA 5 case conferencing meetings and other community meetings.

Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed are designed to provide typical examples of the work performed; not all duties and responsibilities assigned are included here, nor is it expected that all similar positions will be assigned every duty and responsibility

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Must be highly motivated and a self-starter. The ability to communicate with and relate to a diverse group of people including clients, community, and other staff. Must have excellent organizational skills and the capability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong knowledge of homeless services and resources. Demonstrated knowledge and experience with Harm Reduction, Motivational Interviewing, Critical Time Intervention, and Housing First.

Experience:

• Two years’ experience providing services to highly vulnerable populations.

Education:

• Degree from an accredited college or university in social work, human services or a related field; a combination of education and experience may be substituted.

Direct Reports:

• This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Computer Skills:

• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Ability to use widely supported internet browsers.

Certificates, Licenses and Registrations:

• Valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
• Valid automobile liability insurance.

Travel Requirements:

• To and from work site(s) and to off-site meetings and trainings as needed

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, stoop, talk, hear, reach above and below shoulders; use hand and finger dexterity, keyboarding and making and receiving telephone calls. The employee may be required on occasion to lift and or carry up to 20 lbs.

Additional Information

 Status: Full time/Non-Exempt

Pay Rate: $26.00/hour

Employment with St. Joseph Center is contingent on completion of satisfactory background check.

For consideration, please submit cover letter and resume. St. Joseph Center is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. All applicants for employment are invited to voluntarily self-identify their gender, race, ethnicity, and veteran status, by completing the EEO Information. Providing your EEO Information is voluntary and refusal to self-identify will not subject applicants to any adverse treatment. Similarly, applicants who do self-identify will not be subject to any adverse treatment based on the information they provide.

St. Joseph center invites you to review the current "EEO is The Law" poster as part of the application process. A link to the current poster is located here.

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