RESPOND Inc.

Working to End Domestic Violence

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Careers at RESPOND

Housing Specialist / Domestic Violence Counselor

RESPOND, Inc, located in Somerville, MA, seeks a motivated and passionate Housing Specialist to provide housing search and support to survivors of domestic violence across all RESPOND programs with a primary focus on those within its Emergency Shelter Program. The Housing Specialist:

  • Provides support and guidance to RESPOND staff and survivors acquiring and maintaining housing, and in preventing homelessness.
  • In conjunction with the survivor, create a detailed, achievable and attainable plan to acquire housing
  • Partners with survivors to develop a stabilization plan with goals that includes: a positive relationship with landlord; addressing barriers to permanent stability; review of financial costs of maintaining housing; steps for increasing income and economic stability; and scheduled check ins with the Housing Specialist.
  • Assists program participants as needed to obtain documents needed to apply for housing.
  • Assists program participants with accessing housing stabilization and homelessness prevention funds as available/necessary.
  • Maintains updated information on housing, entitlement regulations, and affordable housing options in the Greater Boston area through relationships with housing agencies, management companies, and landlords.
  • Coordinates and/or accompany survivors to housing appointments as needed.
  • Assists with logistics of moving into housing.
  • Participates in related meetings, including weekly housing and community program meetings, all staff meetings, and meetings outside of agency as necessary.
  • Maintains current and accurate records of services, updating database information, preparing periodic reports as required. Collects and reports program data, including but not limited to, data required for RESPOND’s database and funders.
  • Works as a team player with other program and agency staff.
  • Develops own professional development plan and attends trainings, meetings, and conferences within RESPOND and in the community.
  • Other related duties as assigned by supervisor and agency.

Qualifications:

  • The successful candidate will be motivated, passionate, energetic, and hard-working. Flexibility is a must.
  • Have at least one year of in-depth, direct service housing related experience.
  • High School Diploma or equivalent required, college degree preferred.
  • Strong English language communication required.
  • Secondary languages of Spanish, Haitian Creole and Portuguese highly desired
  • Intermediate computer knowledge a necessity.
  • Must have or be willing to obtain the 25 hour Domestic Violence Counselor Training (we will train if you don’t have it).
  • Valid Drivers’ License and access to a personal vehicle a plus, ability to utilize public transportation to attend apartment viewings and meetings.

Pay range: $17.00 – $23.00 per hour

Position availability is: Generally 9-5 M-F with flexibility to meet outside ‘business hours’ to accommodate survivors who also work those hours, ability to take survivors to view apartments as needed, and occasional attendance at other events, meetings, or appointments.

*DUE TO COVID-19 THIS POSITION MAY WORK REMOTELY A FEW DAYS PER WEEK AFTER ORIENTATION AND TRAINING.

Job Type: Full-time