Housing Support Specialist, Casa de Rosemary

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Our Mission: Since 1981 the Orangewood Foundation has passionately advocated for young people facing foster care homelessness and trafficking. Our mission is to empower these individuals by supporting the futures they envision providing dedicated one-on-one support to help them achieve their dreams and goals.

Our Programs & Services: We provide programs and services in four essential areas: Basic Needs & Support Education Life Skills & Employment and Transitional Housing & Support.

Our Vision: A community where every young person thrives. This is our long-term goal for young people in Orange County. We embody this goal every time we talk to a young person a volunteer a community member and to each other.

Our Commitment: Equal Opportunity Employer Flexible Scheduling Powerful Teamwork Personal Fulfillment Thriving Community Professional Development Mental & Physical Wellness Competitive Compensation.

Our Values: At Orangewood recently ranked #27 in Best Places to Work 2025 we take pride in fostering a positive and supportive workplace culture. We ask all staff to uphold the following core values: Trust Respect Empathy Inclusion and Advocacy

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Housing Support Specialist Casa de Rosemary

Employment Classification: Full-time Hourly Non-Exempt; Evenings: Mon. - Fri. 2 pm -10:30 pm

Reports to: Operations Supervisor

Department: Programs - Housing

Program Summary:

The transitional housing program at Orangewood is a multi-site program. This position would primarily be working with Transition Age Youth many of whom were in foster care and their child(ren).

Position Summary:

The Housing Support Specialist is responsible for delivering client-centered support and care coordination for residents while also maintaining a safe clean and welcoming home environment. This role requires a flexible schedule as staff may be asked to support other housing sites with varying shift addition weekend or holiday coverage may occasionally be required to ensure adequate support across all housing sites.

When considering this job opportunity please be aware that the role may involve high stress levels due to mitigating participant crises and potential exposure to vicarious trauma. It is essential to prioritize self-care and seek appropriate support when needed.

Major Areas of Responsibility:

• Using trauma informed care to ensure a calm clean and safe home environment.
• Provide a positive influence using developmentally appropriate techniques to assist residents to acquire both healthy parenting skills and life-skills (shopping cooking cleaning personal hygiene laundry and grooming).
• Provide trauma informed support and guidance to assist residents to adapt to the home including an understanding and adherence to program guidelines.
• Confer with the Care Coordinator and Program Supervisors to better understand the individual backgrounds and needs of residents.
• Support the residents to reach goals they establish by working closely with the care coordinator and the young adults.
• Provide coaching and role modeling for residents around general parenting of their child(ren).
• Provide calm and concise directions to residents in crisis situations and implement de-escalation techniques when needed and mediate interpersonal issues between residents.
• Uphold the policies and procedures of the home.
• Assist with managing the day-to-day operations and maintenance of the physical environment in the home and outside of the home.
• Support other housing sites through coverage as needed especially when there are call outs once cross-trained.
• Provides social/emotional support to youth and their children during the shift as needed.
• Help maintain cleanliness of the home by completing a House checklist for the shift.
• Create a home environment by meal planning and consistently cooking meals (with youth when possible) and engaging in activities that support the group.
• Locating and connecting local resources that support parenting and youth development.
• Facilitating group/house meetings both planned and as needs arise.
• Additional duties projects and tasks assigned by leadership.

Knowledge Skill and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelors Degree preferred.
• High school diploma required with two years of experience working with youth at risk.
• Understanding trauma-informed practices and how trauma affects the cognitive development of youth whove had adverse childhood experiences.
• Knowledge of and understanding of the stages of healthy infant/child development.
• Experience working with parents of children from birth-5 years.
• Excellent organizational skills; ability to self-start multi-task; and take directions from multiple staff.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong conflict resolution and mediation skills.
• Ability to problem- solve and make decisions independently.
• Proficient in all Microsoft Office applications Outlook Excel Power Point. Also experienced with data entry.
• Bi-lingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Possess a valid California drivers license and proof of automobile insurance. Position requires DMV clearance.
• Pre-employment screenings include criminal background- check FBI/DOJ fingerprinting TB test drug screen and previous employment verification.
• A assessment is a required part of the application process and your application will not be considered complete until the assessment is submitted. Visit this link to learn more Qualities:
  • A passion for Orangewood Foundations work and its mission to value and support youth.
  • Enjoys working directly with parenting youth community partners etc.
  • Passion for and enjoys working directly with TAY population.
  • Creates atmosphere of enthusiasm and commitment.
  • Follows and fulfills Orangewood Foundation policies and procedures.
  • Communicates clearly and directly with internal and/or external customers to assure proper resolution of concerns and satisfaction of inquiries and speaking positively of Orangewood.
  • Foundation decisions processes and programs to other staff and outside consumers.
  • Supports and maintains an environment that encourages teamwork interdependence and ethical behavior and does not participate in gossip.
  • Displays the organizations essential attitudes by approaching projects activities and other job functions with flexibility and a positive attitude.

  
  

  Working Environment/Physical Requirements:

  • Work is primarily performed in a residential environment which can include two storied family homes or apartments.
  • Position will require use of a personal vehicle and transporting youth. Physical requirements include standing sitting typing bending and lifting up to approximately 25 lbs. (i.e. tables chairs food water etc.).
  • Modification to work schedule may be made based on needs of the Foundation.

  
  

  EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

  
  

  Benefits:

  • Medical Blue Shield HMO & PPO HRA
  • Delta Dental
  • Vision (EyeMed Network)
  • FSA Healthcare & Dependent Care
  • Mental Health through Headspace (virtual & in person therapy included)
  • EAP through Umum & Headspace
  • Life/Disability/Accident/Critical Illness
  • Pet Insurance
  • 403b with company match
  • Cell Phone Stipend

  
  

  Time-off Benefits:

  • 5 Sick Days per year
  • Up to 3 Floating Holidays per year
  • Year one - 15 Days of PTO accrued at 5 hours per pay period
  • 13 Company Paid Holidays

  
  

  Orangewood Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race (including hair texture and protective hair styles such as braids locks and twists) religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices) color national origin ancestry physical disability mental disability medical condition genetic information marital status sex (including pregnancy childbirth breastfeeding and/or related medical conditions) gender gender identity (including individuals who are transgender and/or transitioning) gender expression age sexual orientation reproductive health decision-making military and veteran status or any other protected group in accordance with all applicable federal or State laws.