Enrollment Specialist

Job Overview: The Enrollment Specialist is responsible for coordinating rental assistance services and referrals for IRC clients and the Spokane refugee community to ensure their needs are promptly identified and met and they can access community support. The Specialist will provide capacity building sessions that help refugee communities to prepare and submit applications for the internal housing stabilization services (HSS) program and provide referrals for external programs. The Enrollment Specialist will become the expert on housing and rental assistance programs for the office.

Major Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Assist households in determining eligibility, provide guidance on program requirements, help participants communicate with landlords, utility companies, assist to collect supporting documentation and provide updates to landlords/applicants on the status of their HSS applications.
• Provide information about available housing support services, including eligibility criteria, application processes, and types of assistance offered.
• Develop strong relationships with local landlords.
• Engage with local organizations, schools, health care providers, and faith-based organizations that serve eligible populations.
• Conduct informational sessions about the HSS program.
• Participate in community resource fairs and other local events to increase the visibility of the HSS program.
• Develop an up-to-date directory of local housing resources .
• Provide referrals to housing legal aid.
• Provide instruction on how to navigate online services such as for paying rent or utility bills.
• May support access to other stabilizing services.
• Collaborate effectively with coworkers and partner organizations to support a positive client experience.
• Ensure compliance with both case file management and reporting requirements. This entails regular and timely maintenance of hard-copy and/or electronic files per donor funding requirements.
• Participate in all program meetings and staff development activities.
• Comply with all policies, procedures and protocols of the agency, placing importance on client confidentiality.
• Other duties as assigned.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Employment Program Coordinator

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: IRC Spokane program teams

External: Local housing & rental assistance community partners, landlords, WA Office of Refugee & Immigrant Assistance, FORWARD, other local organizations including schools, health care providers, and faith-based organizations

Job Requirements:

• Completed High School diploma or GED, Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent work experience.
• Experience in community outreach.
• Fluent in English, both spoken and written.
• Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Proven track record of contributing both independently and as a key team member.
• Self- starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the proven ability to multi-task, prioritize duties, and manage time effectively.
• Ability to work remotely and access to reliable Internet.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook).

Preferred:

• Lived experience as a refugee or immigrant is preferred
• Bilingual ability in locally relevant community language(s) such as Arabic, Spanish, Swahili, Dari, Pashto, Ukrainian, Russian, Burmese, Vietnamese or Tigrinya.
• Strong connection and relationship with local client community members.
• Previous experience working within rental assistance programming.

Working Environment:

• Standard, professional office environment (flexible remote and in-office)
• May require occasional weekend and/or evening work

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

US Benefits: The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. All US employees are eligible for sick time, a 403b retirement savings plans: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus an 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

In addition, full-time employees are eligible for 10 US paid holidays, 20-25 paid time off days, disability & life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution starting at $135, $7, and $5 per month respectively) and FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. Part-time employees are eligible for a proportionate amount of paid time off. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12-month time period.