Description
Summary: The Mobility Specialist is responsible for the successful administration of the Supporting Neighborhood Opportunity in Massachusetts (SNO Mass) program. The SNO Mass program is a housing mobility program that provides supportive services to participants of the Rental Assistance Program with federal Section 8 mobile vouchers that choose to move into areas of opportunity. The Mobility Specialist helps current participants obtain rental housing in areas of opportunity, provides mobility counseling and housing search support for households, conducts outreach to landlords and participants, manages financial assistance with security deposits and realtor fees, higher payment standards, provides enhanced support for landlords in qualifying areas, and post-move support for participating households.
Why Work for SMOC?
- Paid Time Off: All full-time employees can accrue up to 3 weeks of vacation, and 2 weeks of sick time and are eligible for 12 paid holidays during their first year of employment.
- Employer-paid Life Insurance & AD&D and Long-Term Disability for full-time employees.
- Comprehensive Benefits Package including Medical Plans through Mass General Brigham with an HRA Employer cost-sharing program, Dental Plans with Orthodontic Coverage, and EyeMed Vision Insurance available to full-time employees.
- 403(B) Retirement Plan with a company match starting on day one for all full-time and part-time employees.
- Additional voluntary benefits including; Term and Whole Life Insurance, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital indemnity, and Short-Term Disability.
- Flexible Spending Accounts, Dependent Care Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement and more.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Develop, lead and deliver workshops and training to address housing barriers.
- Provide landlord Support and recruitment.
- Assist families with completing housing applications, rental housing searches, touring rental housing units and negotiating with landlords.
- Recruit families within the federal Housing Choice Voucher program to participate in the SNO Mass program.
- Provide motivational counseling to participants who are interested in using their vouchers in high- opportunity communities.
- Schedule and conduct initial enrollment according to program procedures.
- Develop and support family plans with objectives, services to be provided, milestones for completion of key elements and timetables.
- Assess schooling needs of each child in the family and make attempts to refer families to an area where family needs are best met.
- Provide assistance with efforts of credit repair or rental history problems to assist family with meeting tenant screening requirements.
- Adhere to Section 8 HUD regulations and DHCD policies and other Federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations related to low-income housing and policies.
- Collaborates with the Relocation Specialist and the Inspections’ team to coordinate expedited inspections of prospective units.
- Plan and conduct neighborhood/housing search tours for individuals and groups.
- Make appropriate referrals for needed services to help remove barriers to a successful opportunity move.
- Provide families with detailed information about locational options in opportunity areas.
- Conduct independent housing searches to identify units for participants.
- Communicate with property owners to explain program requirements, conduct landlord briefing, and use other methods to encourage participation in the program.
- Communicate with property owners and participants to help resolve landlord complaints.
- Assist families with needed transitions after their move, including help in locating schools, childcare, employment, social and medical services.
- Communicate and coordinate with staff from multiple departments to achieve program goals.
- Support for SNO Mass program’s mission and goals.
- Maintain required records of counseling services provided.
Requirements
Knowledge and Skill Requirements:
- A 4 year degree in social work, public policy, or other related fields required; Masters in social work or related field is strongly preferred and at least 3 years experience in social services/case management required, with additional experience in real estate, subsidized housing programs, and fair housing preferred.
- Counseling and assessment skills.
- Familiarity with the region (e.g. transportation, school systems, amenities, services).
- Must have valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and meet insurance standards.
- Effective communication skills, both written, verbal, and public speaking.
- Fluent in Spanish and/or Portuguese preferred.
- Proficiency in computer software, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Proficiency in ETO a plus.
Organizational Relationship: Directly reports to Rental Assistance Director.
Physical Requirement: Must be able to sit or stand for prolonged periods of time. Must be able to operate a computer and complete extensive paperwork. Must be able to lift 25lbs. Must be able to ascend and descend stairs as some units are on the 3rd and 4th floors of apartment buildings.
Working Conditions: As part of the responsibilities of this position, the Mobility Specialist, SNO Mass will have direct or incidental contact with clients served by SMOC in various programs funded or administered through the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. A successful background check is required.
Monday through Friday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM. Includes a 1-hour unpaid lunch break.
35 Hours per week.
