This is classified as VHBE (Variable Hour Benefit Eligible), where the selected candidate will work an average of 40 hours per week. 

City of Aurora, Colorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we’re growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.

Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Salary to be Commensurate with experience

The Hiring range for this position is $23.84-$29.81/Hourly

The deadline to submit applications is Friday, May 3rd, 2024. Initial review of submitted applications will commence on Monday, May 6th, 2024. However, it is subject to close at any time without prior notice once a sufficient pool of qualified applicants is obtained.

This is classified as VHBE (Variable Hour Benefit Eligible), where the selected candidate will work an average of 40 hours per week.  The selected candidate will be eligible to elect Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits, accrue paid time off, and receive 11 paid holidays

OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT

The Housing Navigator reports to the Homeless Program Manager within the Housing and Community Services Department. The Housing Navigator will assist homeless and housing insecure clients in Aurora by establishing connections with housing providers, including private landlords, public housing agencies, and local authorities. Responsibilities include client intake from partner agencies, Access Aurora, and cold calls, as well as conducting housing market research. The role involves providing light-touch case management to facilitate clients’ access to permanent housing.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• In this role, the Housing Navigator works with landlords to identify housing for program participants, and help participants navigate the housing process, including searching for housing, completing applications, and signing lease agreements
• Respond to questions related to unit availability, application process, voucher process, and other processes related to housing.
• Creating and keeping current a comprehensive list of available units in and around Aurora, updating daily and organizing it to meet the complex needs of clients.
• Receive participant referrals through various sources.
• Responsible for explaining housing programs, assisting applicants with housing applications and providing information about community resources as needed.
• Mediate issues between landlords and clients.
• Help clients maintain stable housing educating them about tenant responsibilities and rights
• Referring clients to other agencies for ongoing case management.
• Input client information into databases as required, and enter detailed case notes in HMIS.
• Utilizes a Trauma-informed approach to communicate effectively with clients with multiple housing barriers.
• Work with Aurora@Home collaborative.
• Evaluate best practices, identify and assess operational improvement opportunities.
• Attends relevant community partner (MDHI , OneHome, etc.) meetings and follows all guidelines outlined in the Housing First Model and in Progressive Engagement Principles.
• Participate in staff training as required.
• Attend department and agency meetings.
• Set and maintain healthy boundaries with clients.
• Other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Education:

• A High School Diploma or equivalent

Experience:

• 2-4 years’ experience in program administration duties related to providing supportive services for clients who are either homeless or in danger of homelessness.
• At least 1 year of customer service experience responding to internal and external customers via telephone and email communication

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Colorado Driver’s License with a good driving history

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual in Spanish
• Lived experience of homelessness or housing instability
• Bachelor degree in social work, communication, public relations, marketing, social sciences or a related field

Knowledge:

• Knowledgeable of the environment and systems through which clients must move to access programs and services
• Understanding of the challenges and barriers faced when experiencing poverty, mental and/or physical disabilities and/or other barriers, regarding how trauma can impact the housing process

Abilities & Skills:

• Experience working with HMIS and OneHome
• Demonstrated proficiency assisting individuals in navigating the housing process from homelessness to stability
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish working relationships with various entities
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal), grammar, and reasoning skills
• Solid understanding of Microsoft 365 and its various programs
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information without breach
• Crisis intervention skills supporting individuals with mental, physical, or other disabilities
• Ability to coordinate and prioritize numerous activities, resources, and deadlines
• Ability to work successfully in a team environment, as well as independently
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines
• Superior creative problem solving

WORKING CONDITIONS

Essential Personnel:

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel

Physical Demands:

• Light work that involves moving no more than 20 pounds at a time
• Infrequent – May occur, but not daily
• Frequent lifting, carrying, walking and standing
• May require frequent pushing, pulling, bending and stooping
• Clear vision to read and interpret reports and other written documents
• Speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and citizens
• Hand/eye coordination for operation of computer keyboard, carts and moveable shelving

Work Environment:

• Works primarily indoors but may work outdoors assisting with a program or outreach events in varying weather conditions

Equipment Used:

• Uses standard office equipment including personal computer and common office software such as email, internet, Word, Excel and menu driven databases
• This position may require the incumbent to use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment

For Veterans preference:  Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.

The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer.  We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants.  It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.

Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace.  A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check and drug screening. Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.