Outreach Navigator

Job Summary:

To support unsheltered individuals/families in preparing for, securing, and retaining permanent housing, by assessing barriers to permanent housing, developing goals, objectives and plans that address the barriers, which includes obtaining and retaining employment and other income; to provide individual mental health services and monitor progress made toward achieving the goals, objectives and ISP’s; to complete file documentation and reports on results and outcomes. Performs other duties of a similar nature as may be required.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Hours:

As part of NEOCH’s commitment to employee well-being and work-life balance, team members have the flexibility to set their own work hours within the timeframe of 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Responsibilities (including but are not limited to):

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Serves as an active member in the City of Cleveland’s Home for Every Neighbor initiative, focusing on direct to housing, unsheltered/encampment response with a workload of up to 30 participants at any point in time.

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Assess and provide practical support services to assigned participants

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Identifies appropriate permanent housing options for all participants including Housing Choice voucher (Section 8), HUD VASH, Shelter Plus Care, RRH, PSH, affordable and market rate housing and other housing opportunities.

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Assists participants with housing application and follow through with EDEN/VA for application status including timelines for inspections, re-inspections and final approval.

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Assesses barriers and needs of participants and develops individual service plans (ISP), including goals, objectives, and action steps, to address each of the barriers/needs.

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Regularly meets (preferably weekly) with program participants to review ISP progress and modify plans as needed to ensure positive outcomes.

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Identifies supportive services required by program participants in order to achieve long and short-term goals and provides and/or accesses applicable supportive services and resources. Accompany participants to appointments as needed.

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Supports program participants in seeking out and obtaining safe, affordable and decent permanent housing as well as in realizing employment outcomes that will support family in permanent housing.

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Establishes and maintains a positive working relationship with program participants. Enhances a Trauma Informed Service Environment. Treats all program participants with respect, dignity and hospitality. Maintains a high level of customer service.

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Initiates appropriate action and crisis intervention with individuals, including, as needed, prompt utilization of community resources.

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Where outcomes are below expected levels, works closely with supervisor in addressing ways to bring outcomes to expected levels in near-term.

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Provide mental health interventions that address symptoms, behaviors, thought processes, etc. that assist individuals with eliminating barriers to self-sufficiency.

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Communicates and collaborates with the Home For Every Neighbor team with daily debreifings, to provide consistent and effective services to participants.

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Works cooperatively with property management staff and landlords to assist program participants to maintain housing and achieve goals. Provide support to landlords when necessary.

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Will transport clients in personal vehicle.

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Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

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Bachelor’s degree or High School Diploma/GED, lived experience with homeless systems with a minimum of three years equivalent experience in a related field

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Experience with Microsoft Suite, data entry and documentation

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Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.

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Strong interpersonal skills and engagement skills.

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Experience with crisis intervention and/or mediation.

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Good knowledge of community resources.

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Ability to work effectively as part of a team.

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Understanding and supportive of a trauma-informed system of care.

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Experience working directly with people from diverse, racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

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Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate specifically with an audience from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

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Have knowledge and skills to understand landlord and tenant rights

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Valid Ohio driver’s license with good driving record and proof of insurance.

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Ability to provide own transportation.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and / or crawl.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. While performing the duties of this position, the employee travels by automobile and is exposed to changing weather conditions.

This position requires the employee to work with a diverse population, therefore, there may be exposure to potentially infectious material.

Compensation: Hourly: $22.47

Benefits: NEOCH offers competitive time-off benefits, with a focus on self-care and healthy work life balance. Employees enjoy generous Vacation and PTO policies designed to support overall well-being and rejuvenation. Health, dental, vision and disability/life insurance available,

NEOCH seeks to dismantle systems and forms of oppression- racism, sexism, heterosexism, transphobia, classism - and we embrace cultural diversity. We are an equal opportunity employer.

All interested candidates should send their resume and cover letter to [email protected] by November 19, 2025.

Pay: $22.47 per hour

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Cleveland, OH 44114