Displacement Prevention Navigator (Independent Contractor (Non-Employee)
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Job Location:
Austin, TX - USA
Monthly Salary:
Not Disclosed
Posted on:
20 hours ago
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
About El Buen Samaritano
For over 35 years El Buen Samaritano (El Buen) has been a trusted community resource for Latino and immigrant families in Central Texas. Serving more than 30000 individuals annually through culturally relevant food access health literacy education and economic mobility programming El Buen is a welcoming space where families grow into their own power and unleash their potential.
El Buen has partnered with Austin Housings Displacement Prevention Division to expand the Displacement Prevention Navigator Program. Work is managed by El Buen Samaritanopursuant toa contractual agreement with Austin Housings Displacement Prevention Division.
Opportunity Overview
El Buen seeks a community-based Independent Contractor to serve as a Displacement Prevention Navigator. The Navigator provides frontline housing stabilization support to households at risk of displacement through proactive engagement culturally responsive intake and assessment navigation to resources documentationtimelytriageand escalation of urgent housing risk andstructured follow-up.
This is a flexible community-facing contract ideal for individuals with strong neighborhood ties lived experience or established trust in communities experiencing high displacement risk.
The Displacement Prevention Navigator functions as a housing-focused Community Health Worker (CHW) within El Buens Community Health Worker model and provides culturally and linguisticallyappropriate navigation outreach assessment referral and follow-up grounded in trauma-informed person-centered practice.
Scope
The Navigator provides housing stabilization navigation and referrals while connecting participants to El Buen and partner resources (health food access education and economic supports).The Navigator works collaboratively with staff and community partners to strengthen participant outcomes and contributes to data collection and reporting aligned with program requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Housing Stabilization & Navigation:Assessment Referrals and Follow up
Preference will be given to contractors whoresidein have lived in or havedemonstratedexperience working in:
This is an independent contractor engagement not an employment position. Contractorsare responsible fortheir own taxes and benefits. Compensation will be based on an agreed hourly or monthly rate and is contingent on satisfactory completion of services and documentation.
Background check and Safeguarding certification arerequired.
To Apply
Submit a cover letter resume and complete a brief statement of interest highlighting your connection to priority neighborhoods and experience supporting families at risk of housing instability.
Term:12 months (grant-funded) with potential renewal
Estimated Level of Effort:Up to 40 hours per month
Location:El Buen Samaritano headquarters and community-based outreach in priority Austin neighborhoods
For over 35 years El Buen Samaritano (El Buen) has been a trusted community resource for Latino and immigrant families in Central Texas. Serving more than 30000 individuals annually through culturally relevant food access health literacy education and economic mobility programming El Buen is a welcoming space where families grow into their own power and unleash their potential.
El Buen has partnered with Austin Housings Displacement Prevention Division to expand the Displacement Prevention Navigator Program. Work is managed by El Buen Samaritanopursuant toa contractual agreement with Austin Housings Displacement Prevention Division.
Opportunity Overview
El Buen seeks a community-based Independent Contractor to serve as a Displacement Prevention Navigator. The Navigator provides frontline housing stabilization support to households at risk of displacement through proactive engagement culturally responsive intake and assessment navigation to resources documentationtimelytriageand escalation of urgent housing risk andstructured follow-up.
This is a flexible community-facing contract ideal for individuals with strong neighborhood ties lived experience or established trust in communities experiencing high displacement risk.
The Displacement Prevention Navigator functions as a housing-focused Community Health Worker (CHW) within El Buens Community Health Worker model and provides culturally and linguisticallyappropriate navigation outreach assessment referral and follow-up grounded in trauma-informed person-centered practice.
Scope
The Navigator provides housing stabilization navigation and referrals while connecting participants to El Buen and partner resources (health food access education and economic supports).The Navigator works collaboratively with staff and community partners to strengthen participant outcomes and contributes to data collection and reporting aligned with program requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Housing Stabilization & Navigation:Assessment Referrals and Follow up
- Conduct culturally responsive housing stability assessments and displacement risk screening
- Provide trauma-informed person-centered navigation that recognizes the impact of trauma and supports participant choice dignity and self-determination
- Provide cultural mediation and language access support including interpretation/translation as needed to reduce barriers and support successful system navigation
- Connect households to rentalassistance utilitiesassistance home repair programs legal aid benefits food access health services education and workforce resources
- Provide warm referrals and structured follow-up until the case is resolved the participant declines further contact or the household becomes unreachable after documented attempts
- Track workflow status of applications and referrals and support households through completion whenever possible
- Document client encounters and outcomes in designated data systems
- Follow same-day escalation protocols to the Contract Manager (or designee) for urgent housing risks including eviction notice or filing imminent lockout utility disconnect notice with imminent shutoff unsafe housing conditions posing immediate health or safety risk domestic violence or safety concerns impacting housing stability and heightened vulnerability requiring immediate stabilization
- Support workflow processes and escalate urgent or complex cases consistent with program protocols and supervisor guidance
- Within 24 hours ofidentifyingurgent riskdocumentingthe risk indicator actions taken and recommended next steps in the designated system and notify the Contract Manager through the agreed communication channel
- Maintain organized case records consistent with program documentation standards to support compliance and audit readinessWithin 24 hours ofidentifyingurgent risk document the risk indicator actions taken and recommended next steps in the designated system and notify the Contract Manager through the agreed communication channel
- Lead at least one Community Resource Fair during the contract term
- Participate in outreach events in priority neighborhoods
- Build awareness of displacement prevention resourcesthrough proactive community engagement
- Represent El Buen with professionalism in community settings and support culturally grounded outreach that builds trust and reduces barriers to access
- Participate in at least two (2) outreach activities per month (event tabling partner meeting canvass or neighborhood activation) unless an alternate plan is approved by the Contract Manager based on program needs
- Maintainaccurateandtimelydocumentationto support program reporting and audit readiness
- Submit monthly activity summaries(# of households/individuals served intakes/assessments closed-loop referrals trends barriers and follow-up needs)
- Accurately collect and enter data aligned to program measures todemonstrateeffectiveness and support continuous improvement
- Participate in evaluation and quality improvement activities asrequested including data integrity checks and process improvements
- Protect client confidentialityand use only El Buen-approved tools and systems
- Complete required onboarding andprogram orientation (within two weeks of contractual agreement signature.
- CompleteCommunity Health Worker (CHW) certification training (if not already certified)ElBuen will pay for certification.
- Maintain CHW certification in good standing (including continuing education/CEUs as required by the certifying body and applicable to the contractors certification timeline)
- Engage in CHW learning that strengthens trauma-informed culturally grounded and equity-based practice and supports consistent navigation quality
- Participate in ongoing learning opportunities
Preference will be given to contractors whoresidein have lived in or havedemonstratedexperience working in:
- Dove Springs ()
- Montopolis (78741)
- Colony Park / Eastern Crescent ()
- Project Connect Transit Corridors ( 78722)
- High school diploma or equivalent required
- Minimum two (2) yearsfacilitatingreferrals to community resources for families with limited financial healthcare or housing stability needs
- Bilingual and biliterate in English and Spanishrequired
- Certification as a Community Health Worker (CHW) OR must obtain CHW certification within six (6) months of contract start
- Demonstrated ability to engage participants with empathy and cultural responsiveness and to provide trauma-informed person-centered support
- Experience in social services essential needs health navigation or housing stabilization
- Strong organizational and time-management skills; able to manage multiple cases follow-up timelines and documentation deadlines
- Strong documentation and organizational skills including ability to use data collection systems to track assessments encounters referrals and outcomes
- Ability to use data systems (e.g. Apricot Salesforce or similar) to track assessments referrals and outcomes
- Ability to work under pressure andmaintainprofessionalism whenassistingparticipants in crisis
- Ability to work flexible hours including occasional evenings/weekends
- Valid Texas drivers license and reliable transportation
- Insurable based on driving record (as applicable to program requirements)
- Motivational interviewing or client-centered counseling experience
- Experience organizing or supporting community outreach events (resource fairs tabling canvassing or neighborhood activations)
- Experience coordinating referrals with multiple partner agencies and documenting follow-up to resolution
- Experience in nonprofit public health or community-based settings
- Experience with housing stabilization displacement prevention eviction prevention rentalassistance and/or benefits navigation
- Commitment to Quality:Maintainsaccuracy thoroughness and compassion in service interactions and documentation
- Client and Community Focus:Demonstratescultural humility empathy and participant-centered engagement aligned with El Buens mission
- Professionalism and Ethical Conduct: Adheres to confidentiality safeguarding and accountability expectations
- Communication Skills: Communicates clearly and sensitively across cultural contexts; provides cultural mediation as needed
- Teamwork and Collaboration: Coordinates respectfully with staff and partners to support warm handoffs and shared problem-solving
- Continuous Learning and Growth:Participatesin CHW training and continuing education that strengthens trauma-informed culturally grounded practice
- Judgment Risk Awareness and Escalation:Identifiesurgent housing risks and follows same-day escalation protocols
This is an independent contractor engagement not an employment position. Contractorsare responsible fortheir own taxes and benefits. Compensation will be based on an agreed hourly or monthly rate and is contingent on satisfactory completion of services and documentation.
Background check and Safeguarding certification arerequired.
To Apply
Submit a cover letter resume and complete a brief statement of interest highlighting your connection to priority neighborhoods and experience supporting families at risk of housing instability.
Term:12 months (grant-funded) with potential renewal
Estimated Level of Effort:Up to 40 hours per month
Location:El Buen Samaritano headquarters and community-based outreach in priority Austin neighborhoods
Required Experience:
Senior IC
Key Skills
- Dewatering
- Business Objects
- Customer Care Service
- Export Sales
- Flooring
- ACCA
About Company
El Buen Samaritano works to help Austin Texas families access health, workforce development, youth education, and essential needs.
