Housing Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a prominent international humanitarian non-governmental organization (INGO) founded in 1933 at the behest of Albert Einstein. The organization operates in over 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities, focusing on responding to the world's most severe humanitarian crises. The IRC's mission is to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to individuals affected by conflict and disaster. With a workforce dedicated to delivering lasting impact, the IRC aims to help millions of people regain control over their lives and strengthen their communities, embodying a force for humanity.

Job Overview:
The Housing Specialist plays a crucial role in ensuring that newly arriving clients are provided with safe, sanitary, and affordable housing. This position involves coordinating various logistical aspects related to housing, including working closely with clients, staff, and community partners to stabilize households by connecting them with long-term resources for low-income and designated affordable housing opportunities. The Housing Specialist is responsible for locating suitable housing for clients and may also participate in program planning and service development through collaboration with teams, committees, and work groups. This role is essential in facilitating a positive resettlement experience for clients, ensuring they have access to the necessary resources and support during their transition.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Housing Specialist's responsibilities include, but are not limited to: identifying and securing safe, sanitary, and affordable housing for newly arriving refugees in compliance with established program requirements; conducting ongoing outreach to current and potential landlords and property managers to build strong working relationships aimed at increasing housing access for refugee families; coordinating logistics of housing set-ups, which includes ordering furniture and supplies, arranging deliveries, facilitating utility hook-ups, lease signings, renewals, and conducting home safety inspections; implementing a high-quality procurement protocol by researching potential new vendors, adhering to financial and purchasing procedures, and maintaining required documentation; delivering orientations to clients either independently or in collaboration with housing case workers; satisfying recordkeeping requirements; using personal, insured vehicles and/or public transportation to travel and transport clients and materials as needed; potentially training and leading support staff, volunteers, and interns; and performing other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Housing Specialist position should possess a Bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field of study, although relevant professional experience in the human services field is also required. A minimum of 2 years of experience is strongly preferred, particularly experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong relationship-building, diplomacy, and networking skills, with the ability to effectively build internal and external relationships. They should also have a proven track record of working and communicating effectively in a multicultural environment, be a self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills, and possess the ability to multi-task, prioritize duties, and manage time effectively. Attention to detail and accuracy in work product is essential, as is the ability to regularly lift approximately 50 lbs.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of social services and the specific needs of the populations served by the IRC.

Experience:
The position requires relevant professional experience in the human services field, with a minimum of 2 years strongly preferred. Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations is highly desirable, as it equips the candidate with the necessary skills and understanding to effectively support clients during their resettlement process.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both spoken and written, is mandatory for this role. Additionally, proficiency in languages spoken by IRC’s clients, such as Dari, Farsi, and/or Pashto, is desired, as it enhances communication and support for clients from diverse backgrounds.

Additional Notes:
The Housing Specialist position is a full-time role that may involve a combination of standard office work, remote work, and field time within the service delivery area. The position may require occasional weekend and/or evening work. The compensation for this role ranges from $26.00 to $27.00 per hour, with the exact offer calibrated based on work location, individual candidate experience, and skills relative to the defined job requirements. The IRC offers a comprehensive benefits package, including sick days, paid time off, medical, dental, and vision insurance, a retirement savings plan, and an Employee Assistance Program. The IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, considering all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.