Housing Liaison Specialist 2

Description

Our Mission: Since 1981, the Orangewood Foundation has passionately advocated for young people facing foster care, homelessness, and trafficking. Our mission is to empower these individuals by supporting the futures they envision, providing dedicated one-on-one support to help them achieve their dreams and goals.

Our Programs & Services: We provide programs and services in four essential areas: Basic Needs & Support, Education, Life Skills & Employment, and Transitional Housing & Support.

Our Vision: A community where every young person thrives. This is our long-term goal for young people in Orange County. We embody this goal every time we talk to a young person, a volunteer, a community member, and to each other.

Our Commitment: Equal Opportunity Employer, Flexible Scheduling, Powerful Teamwork, Personal Fulfillment, Thriving Community, Professional Development, Mental & Physical Wellness, Competitive Compensation

Our Values: At Orangewood, recently ranked #27 in Best Places to Work 2025, we take pride in fostering a positive and supportive workplace culture. We ask all staff to uphold the following core values: Trust, Respect, Empathy, Inclusion, and Advocacy

Position Title: Housing Liaison Specialist II– Orangewood Resource Center

Employment Classification: Full Time / Hourly / Non-Exempt

Shift: Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri: 8:30am-5pm; Thurs: 10:30 am-7pm; 3rd Saturday of every month: 10am-2pm

Reports to: Program Supervisor

Department: Programs

Program Summary:

The Orangewood Resource Center (ORC) is a drop-in center for Transitional-Age Youth (TAY) ages 18-24 to access community resources and short-term case management services to support their transition to self-sufficiency.

Position Summary: 

The Housing Liaison Specialist plays a key role in supporting and empowering TAY at the ORC by providing life skills instruction, basic needs assistance, and connections to community resources for employment, education, and housing. The Housing Liaison Specialist is skilled in assessing participants’ individual needs while maintaining up-to-date knowledge of available housing resources, both internally and externally. This role focuses on building and maintaining strong relationships with housing partners and assisting participants in navigating barriers to obtaining and sustaining stable housing. The Housing Liaison Specialist utilizes a trauma-responsive approach when engaging with participants, stakeholders, and colleagues, while providing individualized support through one-on-one meetings, outreach activities, and community events.

When considering this job opportunity, please be aware that the role may involve high stress levels due to mitigating participant crises and potential exposure to vicarious trauma. It is essential to prioritize self-care and seek appropriate support when needed.

Major Areas of Responsibility:

• Provide trauma-responsive, strength-based, person-centered assessment and care to TAY participants experiencing homelessness, including safety planning, advocacy, crisis intervention, and ongoing engagement.
• Serve as a low-barrier access point for referrals (self-referral, community partners, 211OC, outreach teams, shelters, hospitals, and law enforcement) and complete intakes, eligibility screenings, and needs assessments.
• Develop and regularly update the Individualized Housing and Service Plan (IHSP), incorporating housing goals, service needs, alternative strategies, and harm-reduction approaches.
• Working in partnership with other Orangewood programs, function as a Coordinated Entry System (CES) Access Point by completing CES assessments, collecting required documentation, and ensuring CES enrollment within 30 days.
• Provide housing-focused care and housing navigation, including supporting participants in finding units, completing applications, securing documents, and attending housing-related appointments.
• Deliver field-based and office-based care that links participants to healthcare, behavioral health, substance use treatment, benefits advocacy, basic needs, emergency housing, and transportation support.
• Support enrollment into Medi-Cal and CalAIM services when eligible and ensure access to services for participants who are not eligible for Medi-Cal.
• Promote continuous engagement and warm handoffs by coordinating with referring partners, multidisciplinary teams, county agencies, and community providers.
• Maintain a supportive environment that fosters healing, stabilization, and development of life skills, coping strategies, and positive decision-making.
• Attend internal and external meetings, case conferences, provider meetings, and community events, representing the mission, values, and needs of participants.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in HMIS, Apricot, and other systems; track program supports and follow all confidentiality and compliance policies.
• Provide excellent customer service, distribute basic needs items, and support participants in accessing both immediate and long-term resources.
• Foster a collaborative team environment by participating in cross training and providing support across program roles to ensure uninterrupted services and shared responsibility for program success.
• Additional duties as assigned by program leadership.

Requirements

Education Requirements

• High school diploma with a minimum of 4 years’ experience with similar case management services

OR

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, human services, or a related field with 2 years’ experience with similar case management services.

Knowledge, Skill, and Experience Requirements:

• Demonstrated understanding of Trauma-Responsive Care, Housing First principles, barriers experienced by TAY experiencing homelessness, and available Orange County resources.
• Ability to work sensitively with young people impacted by trauma, exploitation, behavioral health challenges, chronic homelessness, and complex needs.
• Ability to work in a high-crisis, fast-paced environment with flexibility to meet participants outside typical business hours.
• Strong decision-making skills with the ability to remain calm and effective during crises.
• Ability to take direction, accept feedback, and integrate new practices.
• Strong multitasking skills with the ability to learn and apply knowledge quickly.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Access) and data entry; experience with HMIS and Apricot preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including conflict resolution and mediation.
• Ability to build positive working relationships with internal staff, participants, county partners, and community-based organizations.
• Highly motivated, independent, adaptable, and committed to serving vulnerable young people.
• Comfortable discussing and addressing issues related to child abuse, exploitation, risky behaviors, and trauma.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish (written and verbal) preferred. 

Essential Qualities:

• Understanding of and passion for the Foundation’s mission, vision, and values.
• Enjoys working directly with youth, volunteers, community partners, etc.
• Passion for and enjoys working directly with TAY population.

Working Environment & Additional Requirements:

• Position requires use of personal vehicle.
• Physical requirements include standing, sitting, typing, bending and lifting up to approximately 25 lbs. (i.e. tables, chairs, food, water, etc.).
• Modification to work schedule may be made based on needs of the Foundation.
• Possess a valid California driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance. Position requires DMV clearance.
• Pre-employment screenings include criminal background check, FBI/DOJ fingerprinting, TB test, drug screen, and previous employment verification.
• A Plum.io assessment is a required part of the application process, and your application will be reviewed after assessment submission. Visit this link to learn more https://www.plum.io/about

Benefits:

• Medical – Blue Shield HMO & PPO + HRA
• Delta Dental
• Vision (EyeMed Network)
• FSA – Healthcare & Dependent Care
• Mental Health through Headspace (virtual & in person therapy included)
• EAP – through Umum & Headspace
• Life/Disability/Accident/Critical Illness
• Pet Insurance
• 403b with company match
• Cell Phone Stipend

Time-off Benefits:

• 5 Sick Days per year
• Up to 3 Floating Holidays per year
• Year one - 15 Days of PTO accrued at 5 hours per pay period
• 13 Company Paid Holidays

Orangewood Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race (including hair texture and protective hair styles such as braids, locks, and twists), religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and/or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity (including individuals who are transgender and/or transitioning), gender expression, age, sexual orientation, reproductive health decision-making, military and veteran status, or any other protected group, in accordance with all applicable federal or State laws.