Senior Housing Specialist

About CWS
Imagine waking up every morning with the chance to change someone's life. Imagine knowing your efforts will benefit both your career and our neighbors around the world. At CWS, our team knows they are making a difference every day. Whether you're in our U.S.-based offices supporting refugees, asylees or unaccompanied children ... implementing hygiene initiatives in Cambodia or rebuilding projects in Central America ... or even connecting remotely from your home on fundraising campaigns, grant reports, or critical communications - you have the opportunity to work towards a world where everyone has food, a voice and a safe place to call home.
Purpose
The Housing Senior Specialist manages all aspects of temporary and permanent housing operations for CWS Harrisonburg. The position supervises the housing coordinator and manages all housing logistics for new refugee arrivals by working with landlords, Airbnb hosts, volunteers, and faith/community organizations. This position represents CWS mission and vision publicly through community outreach to cultivate new housing relationships. The Senior Housing Specialist designs and supervises cultural orientation and ongoing training to help refugees to be ideal tenants.
Responsibilities
Staff Supervision

• Train and supervising the housing coordinator, as well as interns and volunteers assigned to the housing team.
• Ensures teamwork, coordinates the workload of housing coordination, assistant case managers, and interns; delegates responsibilities.
• As requested by supervisor, participates in hiring process, performance evaluation, and other HR-related actions and processes.
• Promotes in all staff, service delivery of a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.
• Assists in regular meetings with all staff to discuss new program developments, current problems, and case progression.
• Conducts regular (at least monthly) one-on-one check-ins with each direct report staff person.

Housing Logistics

• Conducts outreach for new relationships with potential landlords and property managers, maintains positive relationships with local landlords, owners, and property management companies.
• Educates landlords and property managers on CWS resettlement program.
• Attends and presents in community meetings related to housing in order to share the challenges and strengths that refugees bring when it comes to housing needs.
• Manages planning for initial housing for all refugees by coordinating property visits, home inspections, housing applications, and temporary housing, if needed.
• Liaises with landlords throughout housing negotiations, lease signing, and initial move-in.
• Coordinates housing setups with a local volunteer group to arrange for homes to be furnished with donations and all other necessary supplies.
• Manages the ordering/purchasing supplies that are not available through donations.
• Ensures submission and approval all check requests related to housing including but not limited to rent, security deposit, application fees, lease transfer fees, beds and other furniture, household goods, etc.

Case Management

• Ensures documentation of all housing services in clients' case notes. Works with the housing coordinator to record all financial transactions in clients' financial tracking logs. Ensures appropriate documentation in clients' files, including but not limited to Home Safety Evaluation forms, lease contracts, and financial paperwork.
• Maintains and regularly updates records of partnering property managers and available housing units.
• Coordinates with the CWS Housing Coordinator and Cultural Orientation coordinator in home and classroom cultural orientation session on housing.
• Supports landlords who have questions and concerns related to refugee tenants placed by CWS.
• Conducts home visits with all families after placement to ensure a successful transition into new housing. Provides additional support to families who are at risk of coming into conflict with their landlord over cleanliness, lease infractions, etc.
• As necessary, assists IRP case managers in ensuring timely delivery of services and fulfillment of requirements outlined in the Cooperative Agreement with Department of State/Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, including providing transportation to appointments for refugee clients.
• Available for possible evening airport pickups for newly arriving refugees, as necessary.
• Available for evening and weekend home set ups, as necessary.
• Assists the Associate Director of Programs in any duties he/she deems necessary.

Common Duties:

• Advocates on behalf of refugees, and refugee-serving voluntary agencies.
• Keeps informed about refugee and immigrant issues, and available services to refugees, using current information to better identify and serve refugee clients.
• Represents the program relevant to the responsibilities of the position.
• Undertakes other duties as assigned.
• Performs all duties in culturally appropriate manner.
• Works varied hours, including occasional night and weekend work.

Qualifications
Education: 4-year degree preferred
Experience: The successful candidate must have a minimum of one year's previous work experience in refugee or immigrant-related services, providing familiarity with U.S. refugee and/or immigration issues and terminology. At least 6 months experience in housing resources required.
Skills:

• Language fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Must have superior written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be computer literate with proficiency in MS Office.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment required.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and willingness to support CWS' Platform on Racial Justice as a CWS employee required.
• Close attention to detail is essential.

Special Requirements
Benefits
CWS offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
- 403 (b) Retirement Plan
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Generous Paid Time Off (21 Paid Days Off; 27 Days after 2 Years)
- 14 Official Holidays
- Sick Time Off (12 Accrued monthly)
- Life Insurance and AD&D
- Long Term and Short-Term Disability
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Health Savings Account
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Commuter Benefits