Housing Stabilization Specialist

Job Title: Housing Stabilization Specialist

Reports To: Housing Stabilization Manager

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Location: Onsite, Full-Time

Why work at MCCAC?

Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC), located in the heart of the beautiful Columbia River Gorge, serves Hood River, Wasco and Sherman Counties. MCCAC offers programs and services to ensure our most vulnerable community members have access to healthy, safe, stable and affordable housing. This is accomplished through our housing, energy/utility payment assistance and weatherization programs. MCCAC envisions a thriving community where our friends and neighbors have opportunities to be successful and thrive.

Summary:

The Housing Stabilization Specialist plays a critical role in ending houselessness in the MCCAC service area. This case management position focuses on helping individuals and families access and maintain permanent housing by developing housing stability plans, coordinating services with community partners, and advocating for clients. Responsibilities include case management, housing navigation, outreach, and support with resources to sustain housing stability.

Supportive Services for Veterans and Family Case Managers: Some team members in this role focus specifically on Veterans that are low income and are houseless or at risk of losing their housing. The Housing Stabilization Specialist will provide support and resources to veterans that qualify for SSVF enrollment and have the ability to recognize the unique challenges faced by this population. This role involves working collaboratively with veterans to develop individualized action plans, connect them to necessary resources, and advocate for their needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Program Delivery (90%)

· Conduct intake interviews to assess client needs, eligibility, and goals; assist clients in developing housing stability plans that include financial and self-sufficiency objectives.

· Support participants in setting strength-based, solution-focused goals to promote long-term housing stability and self-sufficiency.

· Mediate and advocate with landlords on behalf of clients to help secure and maintain permanent housing.

· Maintain consistent verbal and written communication with tenants, landlords, referral sources, and partner agencies to support housing outcomes.

· Coordinate with MCCAC’s referral, intake, and data teams to engage new clients, complete assessments, and ensure timely data entry and quality tracking per program requirements.

· Manage a casework schedule that supports strong client relationships and promotes housing stabilization, including fostering positive client-landlord interactions.

· Connect clients to appropriate community and mainstream resources—both internal to MCCAC and through partner organizations—to address and prevent housing barriers.

· Educate clients about their rights and responsibilities under Oregon landlord-tenant law and lease agreements.

· Inform and educate landlords, caseworkers, and community partners about MCCAC’s housing programs such as rapid rehousing, eviction prevention, and other supportive services.

· Serve as a primary liaison to individuals experiencing or at risk of houselessness, including assisting with housing support applications and corresponding with landlords as needed.

Program Administration, Compliance & Training (10%)

· Maintain complete and accurate case files in compliance with MCCAC internal policies and applicable state and federal grant requirements, including year-end file retention processes.

· Enter and manage timely client data in systems such as the Homelessness Management Information System (HMIS), Connect Oregon, and other platforms used by MCCAC.

· Track financial assistance, including rapid rehousing and eviction prevention payments, using Smartsheet, PEX, and billing systems; support Medicaid billing for time spent assisting Oregon Health Plan-enrolled clients.

· Attend monthly meetings with the Housing Stabilization Manager to review assigned program budgets and ensure adherence to funding guidelines and agency policies.

· Collaborate with MCCAC Housing Stabilization and Shelter teams, as well as external partners, to conduct case conferencing and maintain accurate housing waitlists.

· Conduct regular (weekly or monthly) check-ins, documentation, reassessments, and referrals for clients engaged in housing or street outreach services; complete case closures per individual case plans and program guidelines.

· Apply Harm Reduction, Trauma-Informed Care, Rapid Rehousing, Housing First, and culturally responsive approaches when working with all clients.

Qualifications & Skills:

· Strong adherence to confidentiality and agency policies.

· Effective oral and written communication.

· Certification as a Traditional Health Worker (or willingness to obtain within first year; training provided).

· Experience with or comfort working with houseless individuals, including those with behavioral health or substance use challenges.

· Ability to use culturally responsive and trauma-informed approaches to sensitive situations.

· High attention to detail; able to manage a high volume of communication via phone, email and in-person contact

· Team collaboration and client-centered case management.

· Knowledge of Oregon landlord-tenant law, Fair Housing, and Equal Access standards

· Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office and ability to learn digital collaboration tools and phone systems.

· Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

· Ability to frequently travel locally within MCCAC’s service area and willingness to do outreach as necessary.

· Valid driver’s license and current insurance required.

Education & Experience:

· High school diploma or GED required; Associate’s degree preferred.

· Minimum two years of experience in customer service or social services.

Competencies:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

· Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

· Internal Customer Service - Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.

· Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.

· Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.

· Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.

· Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

· Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.

· Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.

· Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.

· Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments.

· Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to kneel, bend, stoop, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, talk and listen and must regularly stand and walkd and walk.

· The employee regularly lifts up to 25 lbs and occasionally up to 30 lbs.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, similar to that of a busy office

· This position may be exposed to the outdoors for short periods of time during varying temperatures.

Application deadline: Open until filled

Starting pay: $23.37/hr

How to apply: Please send a resume and cover letter to mfernandez@mccac.com.