The Housing Advocate is part of the Housing Program at Lifelong AIDS Alliance that works to improve the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS. Stable Housing is vital to good health care. Lifelong AIDS Alliance housing program places and stabilizes people in appropriate and affordable emergency, transitional, and permanent housing. If you are interested in applying for this position please see the detailed job description below. The full compensation package including benefits, holiday, vacation, and sick is 38,000-48,000/ DOE. (32,000-42,000 salary / DOE)

This position is full-time

Job Description

Lifelong AIDS Alliance is a non-profit community agency committed to preventing the spread of HIV, providing practical support services and advocating for those whose lives are affected by HIV and AIDS

DEFINITION:

The Housing Advocate is responsible for, placement and case management of persons with HIV/AIDS who are requesting or utilizing housing services of the Lifelong AIDS Alliance.  This position reports to the Housing Services Manager. This is a full-time, non-exempt, union, regular position.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Develop and implement housing service plans based on housing service assessment provided by Lifelong’s designated housing assessment specialist. 
2. Work collaboratively with a range of service providers (HIV case managers, housing providers, etc) to assist clients in the acquisition and maintenance of appropriate affordable housing.
3. Ensure that clients and landlords are aware of rules and regulations specific to the housing programs and provide appropriate mediation when conflicts arise.
4. Serve as a lead for Housing Program(s) as assigned by the Housing Services Manager.
5. Maintain routine contact with clients enrolled in assigned program providing referrals to necessary external services that promote housing stability and progression into appropriate levels of independent living.
6. Maintain specific housing program documentation, as required by contracts and program development needs
7. Maintain client files according to department system, utilizing agency database, physical charts and relevant program specific reporting requirements.
8. Serve as back-up to other housing department staff, assisting in client advocacy for clients receiving housing assistance.  Facilitate cross-training of other housing staff on assigned housing program(s).
9. Participate in housing program development and identifying gaps and needs at the program level.
10. Maintain familiarity with relevant laws and regulations around Fair Housing and Landlord Tennant law in Washington State
11. Participate in local housing collaborative around implicated program responsibilities and relevant 10 Year Plan Committees.
12. Perform all assigned duties of position.

ORGANIZATIONAL CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Attend and participate in team and all-staff meetings.
2. Participate in Lifelong Team Building trainings and events.
3. Remain active in the recruitment and appreciation of volunteers.
4. Participate in Lifelong’s Employee Performance Management Process. 
5. Demonstrate ability to work effectively and productively with others (including supervisors, colleagues, volunteers and clients).
6. Regular and reliable attendance, with regular and reliable hours as defined by your supervisor.
7. Knowledgeable about the progression and treatment of HIV/AIDS.
8. Demonstrate ability to work with people of diverse socio-economic backgrounds, ethnicities, beliefs, sexual orientation and lifestyle.
9. Maintain confidentiality of financial, donor and client records.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Three or more years of relevant experience.
• One year of experience must be in advocacy services, private or public sector housing or homelessness services, or similar work in a client services setting.
• Ability to work with people in crisis and conflict, including those with mental illness, and/or past ow with chemical dependency.
• Able to organize, prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines in a time-sensitive environment.
• Experience with project planning, implementation and evaluation.
• Possess an understanding of professional boundaries.
• Demonstrated skills and strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite of applications, including Excel, Access and Word.
• Experience working with Provide or similar databases
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally in both verbal and written form.
• Comfort with public speaking and public outreach
• Bilingual English/Spanish desired.
• Proven ability to work independently and in a collaborative team environment.
• Experience with group facilitation, conflict resolution and a working knowledge of organizational development issues.
• Ability to respond quickly to change.
• Ability to develop good working relationships with internal and external customers.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively under stressful conditions.
• Access to regular, dependable and timely transportation.

Candidates for employment at Lifelong should be aware that this is a unique work environment in which topics of sexuality and sexual orientation are an integral part of our everyday prevention and care work and are often discussed openly. Individuals who are uncomfortable with such topics, discussions and the occasional related graphic representations may choose not to work at Lifelong.

Please submit cover letter and resume to:

jobs@llaa.org

Or mail to:

Lifelong AIDS Alliance

1002 E Seneca

Seattle, WA 98122