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 Housing & Integration Specialist supports the long-term housing stability, integration, and self-sufficiency of IRC clients by educating clients on their rights and responsibilities as tenants and assisting clients with applications, recertifications, and renewals for public and subsidized housing programs. This role focuses on empowering established clients to independently navigate and maintain their own housing over time.
Major responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Provide housing stability case management to IRC clients working toward long-term housing security and self-sufficiency, addressing needs that arise well beyond initial resettlement or arrival.
- Educate clients on tenant rights and responsibilities, lease renewals, move-in/move-out procedures, maintenance request processes, and change of address procedures, empowering clients with the practical knowledge to independently maintain stable housing and advocate for themselves as tenants.
- Providing financial education and coaching on budgeting for rent and utilities, housing costs and identifying housing that is sustainable based on household income.
- Assist clients with applications, recertifications, and renewals for public and subsidized housing programs (e.g., Housing Choice Voucher/Section 8, public housing authority programs, and other government rental assistance), including gathering documentation, completing forms, and following up with housing authorities and landlords to ensure continuity of housing.
- Identify clients at risk of eviction or housing loss and provide early intervention, connecting clients to emergency rental assistance and other resources, and advocating on clients' behalf with landlords and public housing authorities to prevent displacement.
- Maintain working relationships with public housing authorities, subsidized housing providers, and landlords to support clients' long-term housing stability. Collaborate effectively with coworkers and partner organizations to support clients' integration.
- Track program outputs and outcomes (e.g., households served through housing education, applications and renewals completed) and maintain accurate documentation and data entry in IRC's client database to satisfy funder and contract reporting requirements.
- May train and lead the activities of support staff, volunteers, and interns.
- Other duties as assigned.
Job Requirements:
- Use personal, insured vehicle with valid driver’s license to travel to client homes, housing authorities, and community partners as needed throughout the service delivery area
- Minimum of 1 year of relevant professional experience.
- Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations preferred.
- 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 multi-task, prioritize duties, and manage time effectively.
- Superb organization, planning, and logistical skills.
- Attention to detail and accuracy in work product.
- Knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn, public and subsidized housing systems and processes (e.g., Housing Choice Voucher/Section 8) preferred.
- Fluent in English, both spoken and written.
- 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.
Working Environment:
- A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time at partner sites—including apartment complexes and public/government service centers—within the service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities.
- May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity: IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.
Compensation: ($20.97). Compensation is 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.
Benefits: IRC offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package. Highlights include 10 paid sick leave, 10 U.S. holidays, 20-25 generous paid time off based on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $163/month, dental starting at $6.50/month, and vision starting at $5/month, flexible spending accounts (healthcare, dependent care, and commuter), a 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer match (immediate vesting) along with a non-elective employer contribution based on age and years of service (3-year vesting), disability and life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering confidential counseling and support services for employees and their families.
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.