The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Job Overview: The Affordable Housing Specialist supports refugee individuals and families in securing and maintaining safe, affordable housing. This role focuses on housing navigation, eviction prevention, landlord mediation, and connecting clients to critical resources such as Section 8, rental assistance and the HEAT programs. 

Major Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

  • Assist refugee households in locating and applying for affordable housing, including Section 8 and other subsidized housing programs

  • Assist eligible clients with applications for the HEAT program’s utility payment support, monitoring their outcomes and following up as needed

  • Identify clients at risk of eviction and develop housing stabilization plans with clients and caseworkers to avoid eviction

  • Advocate for reasonable accommodations and resolve disputes between clients and landlords

  • Educate clients on tenant rights and responsibilities 

  • Coordinate logistics of housing relocations, including pick-up and delivery of clients’ belongings, transferring utility accounts, facilitating lease signings and renewals, arranging payments, and conducting home safety inspections

  • Conduct post-relocation home visits to ensure a successful transition into new housing

  • Conduct ongoing outreach to current and potential landlords and property managers, building strong working relationships to increase access to housing for refugees

  • Satisfy recordkeeping requirements, including case noting client services in IRC databases

  • Use personal, insured vehicle and/or public transportation (where available) to travel and transport clients and materials as needed throughout the service delivery area

  • May train and lead the activities of support staff, volunteers, and interns

  • Other duties as assigned

Job Requirements:

Education: 

  • Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred

Work Experience:

  • Minimum of 1 year of relevant professional experience required.

  • Experience working with refugees, immigrants, or other vulnerable populations, preferred

Demonstrated Skills & Competencies:

  • Knowledge of affordable housing systems, eviction prevention, or rental assistance programs

  • Strong relationship building, diplomacy, and networking skills; ability to effectively build internal and external relationships

  • Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment

  • Self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the proven ability to multitask, prioritize duties, and manage time effectively

  • Cultural humility and commitment to trauma-informed, client-centered care

  • Strong organization, planning, and logistical skills

  • Attention to detail and accuracy in work product

  • Ability to regularly lift ~50 lbs.

  • Fluent in English, both spoken and written. Additional fluency in client languages, recommended.

  • Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook); ability to use the internet and other digital tools for data entry, research and problem-solving purposes

  • Valid driver’s license and access to a personal, insured vehicle

Working Environment: 

  • A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities

  • May require occasional weekend and/or evening work

  • Requires reliable transportation and scheduling flexibility

Compensation: (Pay Range: $21.13 - $23.93) Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget.  Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

Cookies: https://careers.rescue.org/us/en/cookiesettings

US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $163 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

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Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.