About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Social work.

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

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Overview

Confidential Client is hiring a field-based Housing Navigator to deliver street outreach, housing navigation, and case management for residents experiencing homelessness in Berkeley, CA (Albany Project Hope area). This role focuses on relationship-driven engagement, Coordinated Entry System (CES) intake and assessments, housing search and placement support, and short-term case management for participants in the program’s emergency shelter house through its scheduled closure.

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Key Responsibilities

• Conduct daily field-based street outreach on assigned routes in Albany/Berkeley, engaging unsheltered residents where they are.
• Build and sustain trusting relationships using Housing First, Harm Reduction, Trauma-Informed Care, and Progressive Engagement approaches.
• Complete Coordinated Entry System (CES) assessments for consenting participants and maintain timely entries in HMIS.
• Develop and update individual housing stability plans at least every 90 days.
• Provide housing navigation: ID support, benefits enrollment, income stabilization, eviction/credit barriers, and housing applications.
• Administer flexible housing support funds for barrier removal (transportation, document fees, emergency items) per agency procedures.
• Make warm referrals and coordinate handoffs to medical, mental health/substance-use treatment, legal services, employment services, domestic violence services, and veteran supports.
• Provide case management for residents of the program’s 4-bedroom master-leased emergency shelter house (through Jan 1, 2027): intake, weekly case management, life-skills coaching, and transition planning.
• Track outreach contacts for individuals not yet enrolled using the Albany outreach tracking spreadsheet.
• Enter HMIS enrollment within 24 hours of acceptance and case notes within 72 hours of each participant interaction.
• Monitor CES prioritization lists and represent participants at regional CES case conferences and matching meetings.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly narrative and statistical program reports for the City of Albany as requested.
• Drive your own vehicle to outreach sites as required; document and report mileage per agency policy.
• Attend required trainings and meetings and maintain compliance with confidentiality, HMIS, and HIPAA standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

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Compensation

• Estimated salary: $43,675 per year (estimated). Exact compensation and benefits will be shared by Confidential Client during the hiring process.

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Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma required; Bachelor’s degree in Social Services or related field is a plus.
• Minimum 1 year experience providing direct support to people experiencing homelessness, mental health issues, substance use, or other complex social needs. Relevant volunteer, internship, military, or administrative experience may be considered.
• Willingness and ability to perform field-based outreach outdoors and on foot in varying weather.
• Proficient with computers and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams).
• Ability to complete CPR/First Aid training.

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Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with street outreach and engagement of unsheltered individuals.
• Experience using HMIS and completing CES assessments.
• Experience with transitional housing or housing retention programs.
• Lived experience of homelessness or housing instability.
• Training or certification in trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, or similar evidence-based practices.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills relevant to the population served.

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Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Commitment to working with individuals experiencing homelessness with sensitivity and cultural humility.
• Strong interpersonal and crisis-intervention skills; able to remain calm under pressure.
• Excellent written and oral communication, documentation, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently in the field and collaboratively on a team.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain confidentiality, and meet deadlines.
• Professional conduct and appearance at all times.

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Special Requirements

• Frequent driving required: valid California driver’s license, reliable personal vehicle, current personal auto insurance, and an MVR that meets agency insurability standards.
• Must be able to receive and maintain criminal records clearance.
• Must be able to obtain TB clearance.

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Physical Requirements

• Regular walking and standing for extended periods outdoors on varied terrain and in varying weather.
• Frequent use of hands and fingers, reaching, talking, hearing, and seeing clearly.
• Occasional stooping, kneeling, or crouching.
• May be required to lift or move up to 50 lbs.

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What Careertakes Provides

• Third-party recruiting support and access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
• Confidential Client retains final hiring decisions and manages employment and onboarding.

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Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.