Housing Specialist IPrint ( Specialist ISalary$67,704.00 - $82,347.20 AnnuallyLocationCarlsbad, CAJob TypeFull-TimeJob Number2257-2024DepartmentHousing & Homeless ServicesOpening Date10/08/2024Closing Date10/29/2024 11:59 PM PacificDescriptionBenefitsQuestionsThe PositionCarlsbad - The CommunityThis nearly 40 square mile city is ideally situated in north San Diego County with an approximate population of 115,000. It offers a great climate, beautiful beaches, lagoons, and abundant natural open space. World-class resorts, family attractions, well-planned neighborhoods, a diverse business sector, and a charming village atmosphere combine to create the ideal California experience. Thanks to an award-winning growth management plan, the City's infrastructure and services keep pace with development and promote an excellent quality of life.The City of Carlsbad embraces diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and recognizes the vital relationship of a culturally diverse, engaged work environment and innovative excellence. A diverse, equitable and inclusive work climate comprises personal experiences, values, and views shaped from differences of culture and circumstance. Our organization appreciates belonging, creativity, recognition and retention of its employees and is committed to hiring and developing motivated, productive and talented employees who provide services and enhance our quality of life. We work to embrace open and equitable access to opportunities for learning and development as our responsibility and goal.The DepartmentThe City of Carlsbad has had a long history of proactively addressing affordable housing and homeless issues. The Housing & Homeless Services Department was created to address the growing importance of these two issues in Carlsbad. The Department includes administration of rental assistance programs, creation of affordable for sale and rental housing, the implementation of critical city policies that help create additional affordable housing, administration of local and federal grant programs that provide critical services to the community, and implementation and oversight of services and resources that reduce homelessness.The PositionWhen placed in the Homeless Services Division, the Housing Specialist I acts with a working title of Housing Navigator. The incumbent plays a key role supporting people experiencing homelessness secure stable housing and coordinating the work of community providers. The position provides case management services and assistance, with the navigation of housing and community resources and services, to secure temporary or permanent housing placement. The Housing Navigator works closely with participants to assess their needs and make suitable housing referrals. The Housing Navigator is responsible for offering solutions to overcome barriers, allowing participants to be successful in securing housing. The Housing Navigator also facilitates community case conferencing using the By-Name List, coordinates resident and internal referrals, provides landlord engagement, promotes shared housing initiatives, and administers Resolution Strategies resources. This position also stays informed with state and local regulations as they relate to housing programs and landlord/tenant laws, enters data into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), and provides participants and service providers with support, guidance, and encouragement. The Housing Navigator works with a variety of stakeholders, including people experiencing homelessness, property management companies, property owners, government agencies, and homeless services providers. It is important that the Housing Specialist I possess a high level of emotional intelligence and communication skills to ensure high quality customer service.Key ResponsibilitiesThe following are examples of the types of job duties that may be found in the role of Housing Specialist I (Housing Navigator in the Homeless Services Division):Conduct initial and ongoing assessment of clients’ needs, preferences, and potential barriers to help clients find suitable housing solutions.Support clients in accessing services and resources with information and referrals to assist participants in various areas such as health, mental health, substance abuse treatment, benefits, employment, transportation, and more. The Navigator's role is to ensure that participants have access to the necessary resources.Assist participants with procuring necessary documents and resources such as identification cards, birth certificates, social security income, and disability income.Assist participants with searching for affordable housing options, completing and submitting housing/rental applications, and applying for internal and external one-time funding sources to cover move-cost if eligible.Develop working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including property owners, service providers and property management companies.Facilitate case conferencing meetings with service providers.Coordinate resident and internal referrals.Provide landlord engagement.Promote Shared Housing initiatives.Administer Resolution Strategies Resources.Maintain timely and accurate documentation of service delivery and participant’s progress in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).Collect data on housing outcomes.Performs related duties as required.QualificationsKnowledge of:Rules and regulations involved in HUD housing programsLandlord/tenant rights and responsibilitiesHousing quality standards for decent, safe and sanitary housingCurrent housing practices, property owner requirements, and lease-up processesKnowledge of best practice techniques including but not limited to Trauma Informed Care (TIC), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Harm ReductionAbility to:Work well independently and in a team environmentMeet deadlines and achieve goals with organizational skills, attention to detail and time-management skillsEffectively communicate orally and in writingEffectively communicate with people of various educational, socio-economic, and cultural backgroundsFunction calmly in situations which require a high degree of sensitivity, tack, and diplomacyExperience & EducationAny combination equivalent to the experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade, preferably supplemented by specialized administrative or business training.One year of experience working with social casework, eligibility casework, or housing related programs is preferred.Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in English and Spanish is highly desirable.Knowledge of Homeless Management Information System is highly desirable.Medical InsuranceDental InsuranceVision InsuranceFlexible Spending AccountLife InsuranceAccidental Death and Dismemberment InsuranceRetirement under the CalPERS program, 2% @ 62 formula, Classic Members (those who are enrolled in CalPERS at another local agency) have the 2% @ 60 formulaBilingual PayHolidays - 11 scheduledFloating Holiday- 2Paid vacationComputer purchase loanTuition reimbursementA detailed list of our benefits can be found here: Carlsbad Benefits ( CalPERS information can be found here: CalPERS ( in the box below that you acknowledge "see application" and "see resume" are not valid responses to the questions below.02What is your highest level of education?High School / GEDTrade or Technical SchoolSome CollegeAssociatesBachelorsMasters or HigherNone of the above03Regarding your education, indicate your area(s) of study in the space below. If you answered, "None of the above," type N/A in the space below.04Please describe any experience you have working directly with people at risk of or experiencing homelessness.05Have you worked with the Homeless Management Information System in your previous positions?YesNo06How many years of experience do you have working with social casework, eligibility casework, or housing related programs?NoneLess than 1 year1 year but less than 22 years but less than 33 years but less than 44 or more07How many years of experience do you have working in public rental assistance programs?NoneLess than 1 year1 year but less than 22 years but less than 33 years but less than 44 or more years08How many years of experience do you have working with property managers or with landlords?NoneLess than 1 year1 year but less than 33 years but less than 55 or more years09Do you possess a valid California Class C driver's license?YesNo10Are you currently a City of Carlsbad employee?YesNoRequired QuestionAgencyCarlsbad, City of (CA)ApplyPlease verify your email address Verify Email