Housing Aide at Church World Service, Inc. in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Job Description:

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 Aide is responsible for assisting the Housing Specialist in procuring safe, secure and affordable housing for newly arriving refugees and parolees in the Resettlement Program. The Housing Aide assists in identifying housing by monitoring rental listings and by building relationships with landlords and property managers. Once housing is arranged, the Housing Aide is responsible for completing each housing unit's set-up with furniture, household goods and food according to the Cooperative Agreement with the Department of State/Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration. After clients are settled, the Housing Aide assists them scheduling housing maintenance and provides navigation support throughout their first year in the US.



Responsibilities




Direct Housing Support

• Assists the Housing Specialist in conducting 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.


• Monitors online rental listings and rental opportunities that arise from personal relationships, notifying the Housing Specialist of leads and assisting in follow-up as prioritized.


• Assists the Housing Specialist in conducting outreach and trainings to public housing providers and stakeholders on housing needs and challenges in the refugee population.


• Assists the Housing Specialist in securing initial housing for all refugees by visiting properties, performing safety inspections, placing housing applications, and booking AirBnB or other temporary housing, if needed.


• Assists the Housing Specialist in liaising with landlords throughout housing negotiations, lease signing, and initial move-in.


• Assists in organizing donations and purchased household items in CWS donation hub.


• Places orders for the purchase, delivery and installation of beds to clients' housing.


• Connects with movers to schedule furniture moving assistance and ensures that all household furniture and supplies are placed in clients' housing prior to clients' arrivals.


• Identifies additional support for housing set-ups. To this end, connects with volunteer facilitator and case managers to secure volunteer assistance.


• Completes and submits for approval all check requests related to housing including but not limited to rent, security deposit, application fees, lease transfer fees, telephone, beds and other furniture, household goods, etc.

Navigation Assistance

• Documents all housing support services in clients' case notes. Records all financial transactions in clients' financial tracking logs. Prepares and includes housing documentations in clients' files, including but not limited to Home Safety Evaluation forms, lease contracts, and financial paperwork.


• Supports the Housing Specialist in maintaining and regularly updating records of partnering property managers and available housing units.


• Assists the Housing Specialist in providing direct learning support to refugee clients requesting assistance in extended housing and bill payment reviews, including lease agreements, housing maintenance, and work order repairs.


• Refers refugee clients past their 90 day resettlement period to existing community resources, information, and social services based on immediate or continued housing needs, as appropriate.


• Maintains accurate information of all contacts and referrals made on behalf of refugee clients and record such information in database and case files. Assist with compiling this information for reporting purposes as necessary.


• Provides program updates and highlights to fellow team members during check-ins and staff meetings.


• As necessary, assists USRP 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 support to appointments for new refugee clients.


• Available for possible evening airport pickups for newly arriving refugees, as necessary.


• Assists the Resettlement Supervisor 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:

• High School degree or equivalent.

Experience:

• Previous work experience in refugee resettlement or other direct social services is preferred.


• Ability to provide culturally-sensitive service and a willingness to work with a diverse, non-English speaking clientele is required.

Other Skills:

• Written and verbal communication skills in the English language are required. Competency in a refugee language is preferred.


• The successful candidate must be computer literate, with proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word and Access) and internet applications.


• 
  Must be over 21 years of age.


• The successful candidate must have a valid driver's license and insurable driving record.

Special Requirements

• Proof of COVID Vaccination is required as condition for employment


• The successful candidate must have a car, valid driver's license, and insurable driving record.


• This is an in-person position


• Ability to travel to locations within the United States.

Benefits



CWS offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
- 403 (b) Retirement Plan
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Generous Paid Time Off (18 Paid Days Off; 24 Days Off after 2 Years)
- 14 Official Holidays
- 12 Sick Days Off (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 Apply Now