Description
NAYA Family Center is looking for a dedicated and caring Housing Navigator to support families experiencing homelessness at NAYA Family Shelter. In this role, you'll help families become document-ready, overcome rental screening barriers, and move quickly into safe, stable, long-term housing. This position centers relationship-building, resource navigation, and barrier mitigation — with a flexible assistance budget to back it up.
NAYA offers an exceptional benefits package, including free medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees (with affordable options for family members), a 401(k) retirement plan with a 6% match, paid vacation, and 16 paid holidays.
This is a full-time role with a pay rate of $30.17 per hour.
Who You Are
- You understand the diversity of the local Indigenous/Alaska Native community and the Urban Indian experience — and ideally have worked within a tribe, board, or Native-serving organization.
- You are a compassionate and proactive advocate with experience working alongside diverse communities, particularly those affected by housing insecurity.
- You understand the systemic challenges contributing to homelessness and are committed to addressing them through direct service, relationship-building, and culturally responsive support.
- You have at least 6 months of experience helping low-income or unhoused people navigate systems, collect documents, or apply for housing — and ideally two or more years working with homeless individuals or families.
- You bring knowledge of local community resources, emergency services, and social service agencies serving low-income and BIPOC communities.
- You are grounded in trauma-informed care, non-violent communication, and conflict resolution.
- You stay composed and exercise good judgment in high-stress shelter environments.
- You are highly organized, manage competing deadlines well, and communicate clearly — including as an active listener.
- You have the ability to balance empathy with professionalism ensures families receive the support they need to thrive.
- You thrive in a team-oriented workplace, are adaptable, and are willing to roll up your sleeves and pitch in, even when it’s not your job.
- You possess strong communication and trauma informed approaches, engaging effectively with diverse groups and adapting to varied contexts.
- You demonstrate self-awareness, listening deeply, centering others, and taking accountability for your actions.
- You are consistently punctual, reliable, and dependable in support of your team and clients.
- You are proficient in computer skills, including web-based research, word processing, MS Excel, and email.
What You'll Do
- Build trusting relationships with shelter families and work alongside them on resource navigation, document collection, and barrier mitigation.
- Verify eligibility and support families through a variety of housing resources and lease-up processes.
- Facilitate document readiness — including birth certificates, ID, and other materials needed for housing applications.
- Use HMIS ServicePoint and ETO to track assessments, services, and participant data accurately.
- Administer flexible assistance funds to cover application fees and other eligible housing-related expenses.
- Participate in Coordinated Access case conferencing, where families are matched to resources based on need and availability.
- Support school enrollment for school-age children and help families reconnect with their culture and traditions.
- Facilitate smooth handoffs to Housing Retention Specialists or housing providers.
- Develop and maintain positive relationships with collaborative partners, external providers, and property managers.
- Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and cross-departmental projects.
- Maintain confidentiality and uphold NAYA's standards of professionalism in all community interactions.
Application Instructions Providing a cover letter helps us best understand your interest in the role, so we encourage you to submit one along with your resume. If you need accommodation during the application process, please email jobs@nayapdx.org.
Questions? Want to chat about this role before you decide to apply? Reach out to the HR team at jobs@nayapdx.org before you apply.
NAYA is committed to building a work environment that respects and inspires every community member. Our mission is to serve Urban Native youth and families, so we strongly encourage members of the Native community to apply. We encourage applications from members of other historically marginalized groups, as well, including women, people of color, those with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and those who have served in the military.
