Lead Housing Navigator, Transitional Rent (CalAIM Community Supports)

Position Description (brief):

The Lead Housing Navigator oversees advanced-level housing navigation services within the Transitional Rent Program, coordinating client-focused housing search, move-in, landlord engagement activities, and administration of rent subsidies. The role ensures clients experiencing or at risk of homelessness are rapidly connected to appropriate housing resources, that referrals and documentation meet contracting agencies’ requirements, and that the navigation team delivers consistent, trauma-informed, and outcome-driven services.

The LHN will play a key role in the program’s launch: supporting housing navigation program design, fostering strong relationships with landlords, property managers, and referral networks to expand housing opportunities, and onboarding Housing Navigation Specialists.

This LHN supervises Housing Navigation Specialists and coordinates housing search efforts for program participants, guiding them through barriers and streamlining access to transitional and permanent housing. The role plays a key role in quality assurance, interdepartmental coordination, and community collaboration, while supporting planning and continuous improvement to strengthen housing outcomes. They monitor program effectiveness and ensure documentation compliance with GCHP, HMIS, and internal systems.

Summary

 The duties of the position of Lead Housing Navigator include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Under the supervision of the Program Manager, manage day-to-day operations of the Housing Navigation program, including staff supervision, billing and compliance, and monitoring program quality. Triage and assign incoming referrals and oversee clients’ housing searches, application completion, lease signings, move-in supports.
2. Participate in recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing staff development activities. Supervise Housing Navigation staff. Provide 1:1 weekly meetings and ongoing training and coaching to ensure staff have the tools and resources to succeed in delivering CalAIM housing navigation services. Foster a supportive, high performing team focused on client dignity and housing stability. Evaluate staff performance; provide professional development and mentor staff to build professional capacity. With guidance from the Program Manager, oversee caseload management and coverage to maintain service standards.
3. Provide hands-on support with complex or high-barrier cases (criminal records, credit and tenancy history issues, behavioral health). Provide direct housing navigation services to assigned caseload, when needed.
4. Build and maintain relationships with landlords and property managers to expand placement options and resolve tenancy issues. Oversee Housing Navigators work to negotiate rental agreements and coordinate move-ins and move-outs while ensuring habitability standards. Guide Housing Navigators serving as a liaison between landlords/property managers and participants to advocate for housing placement and retention. Support and problem solve escalated cases.
5. Support Housing Navigation Specialists in their role to assist clients in locating units, conducting inspections, completing housing applications, and navigating complex housing solutions; from assessments through housing success plans and lease approvals. Guide staff on ensuring housing readiness and monitoring client progress.
6. Ensure timely and accurate data entry and service delivery records (HMIS, internal database) and submission of documentation per program contracts and reporting requirements. Ensure accurate authorization and claims submission and conduct quality assurance reviews (e.g., file reviews, lease agreements, subsidy calculations, billing, client satisfaction checks). Produce housing outcomes reports for program leadership.
7. Help refine referral pathways, intake forms, and checklists. Monitor systems and processes and propose improvements, with the goal of quick and successful placements.
8. Build and maintain strong relationships with MCPs, VCBH, Continuum of Care, referral networks, and agency and community partners.
9. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education and Experience

Substantial education and experience in the supportive and affordable housing area, mental and behavioral health, social services, social work, case management or counseling is required. There must be demonstrated knowledge of issues affecting homeless residents with disabilities (mental illness, developmental, etc.) Familiarity with best practices in homeless services, such as Housing First, Harm Reduction, Motivational Interviewing, Strengths-Based Case Management, and Trauma-Informed Care is preferred, as well as strong understanding of transitional housing, rapid rehousing, and/or rental assistance programs in California preferred. Knowledge of federal, state, and local housing regulations, including HUD, ESG, and Continuum of Care guidelines, highly preferred.

This includes, but is not limited to a combination of experience such as:

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university in social work, psychology, counseling, or related field; or 5 years of experience in homelessness and housing field may be substituted for degree.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in housing programs, homeless services, or case management. Must have at least 2 years of direct involvement in housing navigation programs.
• Experience as a supervisor highly preferred; or demonstrated work history of holding progressively responsible roles.
• Experience with programs funded by Medi-Cal, Managed Care Plans, or similar health and housing systems highly preferred.

Communication

Excellent communications skills, including but not limited to, the ability:

• To speak, write and read English fluently;
• To write reports and other correspondence clearly, meaningfully, and persuasively;
• To speak, listen, and respond effectively with and among staff, agencies, residents, and others;
• To give presentations and speak effectively before groups and organizations.
• To engage with persons experiencing homelessness with empathy and non-judgmental attitude, utilizing culturally responsive approaches.
• An ability to converse in Spanish is preferred.

Leadership Skills

• Proven leadership and coaching abilities with the capacity to motivate, develop, and guide a high-functioning team.
• Must have strong relationship-building skills to connect with landlords and housing providers, and the ability to manage complex cases from initial assessment through sustained housing. Strong collaboration skills across various stakeholder groups.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to build systems, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Thrives in a fast-paced and rapidly growing organization.
• Must be flexible and adaptable in the face of changing priorities and fluctuating workloads.

Computer Skills

Proficiency in computer and computer applications, including Microsoft Office programs, social media, data management programs, and the County of Ventura’s HMIS program.

Driving

Driving is required for this position. Therefore, the applicant must have the legal ability to drive a motor vehicle in California, proof of a valid California driver’s license, and adequate motor vehicle insurance.

Mathematical & Reasoning Skills

Excellent mathematical and reasoning skills. This includes, but is not limited to, the ability to perform basic mathematical skills, the ability to resolve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables.

Physical Demands

The employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, controls, talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach using feet, legs, back, arms and hands. The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 20-40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

Moderate to high stress work pace. Environment may have frequent interruptions, time constraints, and emotional distress. Noise level is low to moderate.

Environment includes working in close proximity to the home of residents who have been homeless and may be accustomed to street culture. May be exposed to profanity or language of a sexual nature and will need to be able to positively redirect residents and to model professional behavior.

Employees may be in contact with individuals and families in crisis who may be ill, using substances, and/or not be attentive to personal health and safety for themselves. Employees may experience a number of unpleasant sensory demands associated with a resident’s use of alcohol and drugs and the lack of personal care.

The employee must be ready to respond quickly and effectively to many types of situations, including crisis situations and potentially hostile situations.

Should be comfortable working in a pet friendly environment.

Other Skills and Requirements

• Ability to work overtime as needed.
• Maintain and execute confidential information according to HIPAA standards
• Obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid Certification
• In-office and considerable field-based duties.