Housing and Employment Navigator

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Housing and Employment Navigator plays a key role in the Southern Alameda County Job Linkages Program—a collaborative effort among five emergency shelters across Alameda County. This program is designed to support families experiencing or at risk of homelessness by connecting them with housing and employment opportunities to foster long-term stability.

Reporting to the FESCO Program Manager, the Housing and Employment Navigator will provide direct support to referred/assigned families participating in a FESCO transitional or permanent supportive housing program (Shelter+Care, Banyan House, and 3rd St Apartments) by facilitating access to critical services such as move-in assistance, short-term rental subsidies, job search and placement support, and wraparound resources including childcare, counseling, and healthcare. This position requires a client-centered, trauma-informed approach, strong coordination skills, and the ability to build and maintain relationships with participants, landlords, service providers, and partner agencies.

The Housing and Employment Navigator is responsible for guiding families through the transition from homelessness to permanent housing, while also addressing barriers to employment, supporting long-term housing retention, and tracking progress toward program goals.

This role will uphold and champion the agency’s mission, vision, and values and contribute to a collaborative and inclusive work culture.

This position is covered under the  SEIU 1021 Collective Bargaining Agreement. In addition to the established base pay, members will receive negotiated annual increases as follows:

• January 2026: 3% base pay increase
• January 2027: 3% base pay increase

Future increases will be subject to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities: 

Administrative Duties: 

• Maintain accurate and timely case notes and documentation in internal databases and HMIS in compliance with program, agency, and funder requirements
• Develop individualized service plans for participants focused on housing and employment goals
• Track participant progress and update records regularly to reflect service milestones and outcomes
• Complete required reporting and data entry tasks for program compliance and evaluation
• Schedule and document regular participant check-ins and home visits
• Maintain confidentiality and ensure secure handling of participant records

Other 

• Provide direct case management and navigation support to families experiencing or at risk of homelessness
• Assist with housing search, landlord engagement, move-in support, and short-term rental assistance
• Support job readiness, search, and placement efforts in coordination with workforce development partners
• Connect families to wraparound services including childcare, mental health support, and public benefits
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with shelter staff, community service providers, and partner agencies
• Attend trainings and participate in events relevant to key responsibilities
• Track and regularly report on key metrics for responsible function areas
• Leads and collaborate on special projects related to agency objectives as appropriate

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Counseling, Psychology, Public Administration, or a related field preferred
• Minimum of 2 years of direct service experience in housing navigation, case management, employment services, or social work 
• Experience working with individuals and families experiencing homelessness, housing instability, or poverty, especially within Alameda County
• Familiarity with the Coordinated Entry System (CES), local Housing Resource Centers (HRCs), and the Housing Management Information System (HMIS)
• Experience in employment services, workforce development, or vocational counseling strongly preferred
• Understanding of housing-first, trauma-informed care, and harm-reduction principles
• Knowledge of Alameda County housing resources, public benefit systems (e.g., CalWORKs, CalFresh, SSI), and community-based services
• Ability to assess barriers to housing and employment and support clients in overcoming them
• Excellent interpersonal skills with cultural humility and the ability to work with diverse populations, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and undocumented communities
• Strong organizational and documentation skills with attention to deadlines and accuracy
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and case management systems (HMIS experience preferred)
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, evolving environment
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred

• Experience in non-profit and community-based organizations preferred. 
• Demonstrates and models excellent “customer service” orientation and ability to work with diverse populations. 
• Exercises extreme discretion with the ability to hold, balance, and transmit public and confidential information needed by various parties. 
• Proficient in MS Office and Google Workspace products.
• Valid CA Driver’s license required. 
  • Auto insurance: If your vehicle is used for business-related purposes, it is recommended that you inform your auto insurance carrier.   

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Demonstrates cultural awareness and provides respectful, client-centered care. 
• Maintains knowledge of community resources for client referrals 
• Attend work regularly, adhering to policies on absences and tardiness. 
• Understands and applies legal requirements, including confidentiality and risk management.

Timekeeping & Attendance Responsibilities

• Accurately record work hours each day by clocking in/out at scheduled start, break, lunch, and end times.
• Take all required meal and rest breaks in compliance with state, federal, and agency policies.
• Review and submit timesheets by established deadlines to ensure timely payroll processing.
• Notify supervisor promptly of any scheduling conflicts, absences, tardiness, or timekeeping issues. 
• Maintain consistent and reliable attendance to support team and program operations.
• Follow organizational policies and procedures related to overtime, schedule changes, and paid/unpaid leave.
• Correct and/or report any timekeeping discrepancies immediately to the supervisor for resolution.

TEAM COMMITMENT:

• Viewed by others as an effective team member who is flexible, cooperative, and willing to assist others, and acts as a resource to team members and clients, where appropriate.
• Handles difficult or conflict situations constructively and seeks appropriate assistance.
• Accepts accountability and constructive feedback.
• Attends all mandatory meetings and staff meetings as required, and actively participates in other departmental professional development, including providing training and consultation.
• Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with fellow employees, supervisors, managers in other departments, senior management, executive staff, and community stakeholders.
• Handles requests, suggestions, and complaints from other departments and individuals in a tactful and effective manner to maintain goodwill within the agency.  

WORKING CONDITIONS and JOB SETTING:

• Ability to occasionally or frequently stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms above the shoulders 
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is routinely required to sit, walk, talk, and hear, use hands to keyboard, fingers, handle, and feel, stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, crawl, reach, and stretch.
• The employee is occasionally required to move around the office
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus 
• May require travel, dependent on agency needs
• Can work under deadlines
• Performing general physical activities such as picking up, moving, and using objects, tools, or controls
• The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle
• Ability to push, pull, and lift up to 50 pounds frequently.
• Ability to stand and move from one location to another daily. 
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time
• Ability to visually focus on near and far items, and to be able to switch between them.
• Ability to reliably report to work on time and perform the position's required tasks as scheduled
• Ability to grasp and carry items
• Ability to hear and effectively communicate with co-workers, clients, and the public
• Ability to identify potential issues within the workplace, determine an appropriate means of avoiding and/or resolving the issues, work with others to address the issues, and carry out organized strategies for resolving and preventing similar issues in the future
• Ability to process information and data for use within the organization

BENEFITS:

• Excellent Health benefits package for you and your family, including: 
  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits with 95% employee and 80% dependent employer premium contributions, and employer-paid life insurance.
• Vacation, 15 paid holidays, 12 paid sick days upon accrual
• Employee Assistance Plan to support you and your family’s well-being and finances 
• Pet Plan Benefit: 
  • PetPlus Product and Prescription Discounts, Pet Assure Veterinary Discounts, AskVet 24/7 Pet Telehealth, and ThePetTag Lost Pet Recovery Service
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Work-life wellbeing & excellent work hours
  • La Familia understands the importance of work-life balance! Our therapists enjoy flexible scheduling options, including hybrid work arrangements, to ensure high-quality client care while maintaining their well-being.
• License and Certification renewals reimbursed.
• Supportive/Collaborative work environment 
• Opportunities for Growth and Professional Development
  • We believe in growing together. As a team member, you’ll have access to structured mentorship and ongoing training. Whether you’re pursuing licensure or looking to specialize in clinical psychology, we support your growth every step of the way.
• This position is covered under the  SEIU 1021 Collective Bargaining Agreement. In addition to the established base pay, members will receive negotiated annual increases as follows:
  • January 2026: 3% base pay increase
  • January 2027: 3% base pay increase
  • Future increases will be subject to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.