Job Purpose/Summary
The Housing Navigator for Transitional Age Youth (TAY) provides housing navigation and recovery-oriented support services to American Indian/Alaska Native youth and young adults ages 1824 in Los Angeles and Orange County who are experiencing opioid and/or stimulant use disorders. This grant-funded position is supported through the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and is designed to expand and strengthen recovery support for TAY experiencing housing instability and substance use disorders.
The Housing Navigator supports members in accessing safe stable housing while addressing barriers related to substance use behavioral health needs and system involvement using a harm reduction and trauma-informed approach. The Navigator works closely with landlords housing providers and social service agencies to support successful housing placements and long-term retention. This role includes case management advocacy and ongoing support to help members achieve and maintain housing stability.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Housing Navigation & Stabilization
- Assist TAY members in identifying securing and maintaining safe and appropriate housing options including transitional permanent supportive and independent housing.
- Conduct housing assessments and develop individualized housing plans aligned with recovery and wellness goals.
Recovery-Oriented Support
Provide youth-centered trauma-informed and culturally responsive services with sensitivity to the needs of American Indian/Alaska Native communities.- Support members experiencing opioid and/or stimulant use disorders by coordinating with treatment recovery and harm reduction services.
- Encourage engagement in recovery support while honoring member choice autonomy and self-determination.
- Assist members in developing independent living skills including budgeting tenant rights and household management.
Care Coordination & Advocacy
Collaborate with behavioral health providers substance use treatment programs housing providers and community partners.- Advocate on behalf of members to reduce barriers related to housing access income legal issues and system involvement.
- Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings case conferences and care coordination activities.
Documentation & Reporting
Maintain timely and accurate case notes housing plans and required DHCS grant documentation.- Track outcomes and service delivery data in accordance with DHCS reporting requirements.
- Support program evaluation reporting and continuous quality improvement efforts.
Experience & Qualifications
Bachelors degree in social work human services behavioral health or a related field or equivalent professional and/or lived experience.- At least one (1) year of experience working with Transitional Age Youth (ages 1824) particularly those experiencing substance use disorders housing instability or system involvement.
- Experience with housing navigation homelessness services or supportive housing programs.
- Knowledge of harm reduction recovery-oriented systems of care and trauma-informed practices.
- Strong communication organizational and advocacy skills.
- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed to support members and program activities.
- Valid drivers license
Education
Bachelors degree
License/Certifications
No requirement
Technology Skills
- Basic computer literacy - be able to use a laptop to complete needed tasks for a job.
- Able to utilize technology tools for virtual sessions.
Position Qualification Preferences
- Experience working with the American Indian/Alaska Native community.
- Familiarity with opioid and stimulant use disorders and evidence-based recovery supports.
- Knowledge of local housing resources Medi-Cal behavioral health systems and DHCS-funded programs.
- Bilingual or multilingual skills.
Work Environment
Hybrid role combining remote work in-office responsibilities and community-based field work.- Local travel required to meet with members and community partners across Los Angeles and Orange County.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described are typical of those required by an employee to perform the primary functions of this job successfully. While performing the duties of this job the employee is required to stand walk frequently sit bend twist talk and hear. There are prolonged periods of sitting keyboarding reading as well. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include reading distance computer and color vision. Talking and hearing are essential to communicate with vendors and staff.
There are some deadlines associated with this position. The employee must also multi-task and interact with other team members.
Performance Expectations
In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees of Sacred Path are expected to conform to the following:
- Uphold professional ethics and confidentiality in handling sensitive information and maintaining client privacy.
- Adhere to all relevant policies procedures and regulations ensuring compliance with healthcare and social service industry standards and best practices.
- Interact in an honest trustworthy and dependable manner with clients employees and vendors keeping in mind the primary purpose of client care and safety.
- Possess cultural awareness and sensitivity
- Demonstrate proficiency in the essential job duties and responsibilities consistently meeting or exceeding performance targets and quality standards.
Other Requirements
- Eligible to work in the United States
- Pass fingerprint clearance
- Maintain annual negative TB test results on file
- Pass a post-offer drug test
- Possess and maintain a reliable vehicle with valid CA drivers license and active auto insurance
- Available to work evenings and weekends
- Willing to travel as needed (travel time could range from 30 - 50%)
Flexible work from home options available.
Sacred Path Indigenous Wellness Center was developed to contribute to the wellness of American Indian/Alaska Native communities by engaging key strategies to provide much needed culturally-relevant integrated trauma responsive health and behavioral health services conduct community-based participatory research and provide technical assistance training and consultative services to other tribal and urban Native organizations.