Housing Coordinator (Texas) - HIAS Inc

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS seeks a Housing Coordinator to implement a new supportive housing program for asylum-seeker families under the Office of Refugee Resettlement. The Housing Coordinator will be supported by the Housing Strategy Specialist and the Social Services team and will manage a caseload of asylum-seeker families, conduct monthly needs-assessments, distribute financial assistance for housing costs, and assist with other services to support families in securing and maintaining stable housing. Work will be conducted in-person when possible and virtually when client location exceeds a 100-mile radius from Austin, Texas.

Note, the salary for this position is $60,000.00, and this is a full-time, temporary position that starts ASAP and ends September 30, 2024, with possible extension.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Conducts monthly check-ins and housing needs assessments with asylum-seeker families.
• Helps families identify housing options and submit rental applications.
• Conducts outreach and advocates to landlords to rent to immigrant tenants and explain common asylum-seeker identification documents (which may be unfamiliar to landlords).
• Provides financial assistance for housing costs.
• Instructs clients on how to open utilities accounts, set up renters’ insurance, and collect their key, as required by the apartment.
• Connects clients to HUD-certified Housing Counseling agencies, local eviction prevention programs, and other housing resources, as necessary.
• Provides housing cultural orientation to ensure clients can maintain their tenant obligations and housing security.
• Maintains records of client contact, needs, and assistance disbursements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Undergraduate degree required.
• 2-3 years of relevant experience working in affordable housing, homeless services, and/or refugee resettlement.
• Fluency in English and Spanish required.
• Knowledge of U.S. Refugee Program and common refugee needs required; previous work experience at a resettlement affiliate strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of Microsoft 365 platform, including SharePoint and MS Teams, preferred; proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Word is essential.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; comfort with public speaking preferred.
• Excellent problem-solving, conflict resolution, and mediation skills; ability to adapt and maintain composure in challenging situations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for collaboration with other team members, coordination with volunteers, and management of key relationships with landlords and community partners.
• Well-organized and detail-oriented; ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Self-starter able to manage, coordinate, and carry out varied functions of multi-faceted program.
• Travel, to include travel to insecure operating environments, may be required.

HIRING PROCESS:

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process:

Step 1: Submit your application!

Step 2: Phone screen with a HIAS recruiter.

Step 3: Video interview with the hiring manager.

Step 4: Video interview with a panel of HIAS employees.

Step 5: Online reference check with SkillSurvey.

Step 6: Offer and background check with Shield Screening or HireRight.

Step 7: Start your professional journey with HIAS!

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.

ABOUT US:

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.

VISION:

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.

MISSION:

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • Hachnasat Orchim

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • Tzedek

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • Chesed

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • Chevruta

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • Ometz

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • Ruach

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. We strongly encourage applicants of diverse identities, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply even if you do not meet all required qualifications but have other qualifications relevant to the role that would make you a great fit for this role with HIAS!

SAFEGUARDING:

HIAS is committed to the protection of children, vulnerable adults and any other person from any harm caused directly or indirectly due to their coming into contact with HIAS. We will not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or any form of child abuse or neglect by our staff or associated personnel. Any candidate offered a job with HIAS will be expected to sign and adhere to HIAS’ Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. HIAS also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. Likewise, HIAS will share this information when other organizations inquire about current and former HIAS staff as part of their recruitment process. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.