Landlord Engagement Specialist (Part-Time)

Job description

Why work with YWCA Seattle King Snohomish? YWCA SKS is the region’s largest non-profit organization with a 120+ year legacy, focused on the needs of women, with programs serving 7,000 people each year. When you work with YWCA, you make a difference. We’re women and BIPOC-led, family-centered, and supportive of employees. As a full-time YWCA employee (30+ hours), you’ll enjoy a benefits package including medical insurance, generous vacation, holiday, sick leave plans, and an outstanding retirement plan. Put your passion for racial equity and social justice to work – **apply today!** **What You'll Do** The YWCA’s Landlord Engagement Project creates pathways to housing for families in need, while working side by side with landlords to increase access to rental homes across Snohomish County. In this role, the Landlord Engagement Specialist receives referrals from Snohomish County’s Rapid Rehousing, Housing Navigators, and Permanent Supportive Housing providers to help households secure a home. The Specialist also helps landlords understand the program’s efforts to end homelessness and provides resources that support both landlords and tenants in achieving successful placement and long-term housing stability. In addition, the Specialist works with partners to problem-solve housing challenges for families facing significant barriers to finding and keeping housing. This position carries a social justice component that invites critical reflection on how external systems, including racism and poverty, affect housing access. Valuing diversity and advancing anti-racism are central to this work, and as an equal opportunity employer we strongly encourage people of color to apply. This position is also a strong fit for retired real estate agents, apartment or property managers, or individuals familiar with the rental market, fair housing, and private or corporate landlord operations. ### Expectations of your role: - Process referrals from the community agencies. - Meet with program participants to complete intake paperwork, gather eligibility documentation, and pertinent rental information. - Ensure clients meet eligibility criteria and maintain secure access to all referral forms, income and homeless verifications, and backup documentation. - Review referrals and maintain confidential files in a locked storage cabinet. - Maintain client case notes and input HMIS service data. - Provide a quarterly narrative report regarding client updates. - Work with program participants and partners to eliminate any barriers to securing housing. - Research private, small, and large apartment/property management companies within Snohomish County and coordinate with staff to schedule introductory meetings with landlords and property managers. - Maintain a database of vacancies and landlord information and ensuring it is up to date. - Establish and maintain landlord relationships and assist to keep them actively engaged in the program. - Develop outreach materials and agreements with landlords that will provide homes to help homeless clients access and maintain permanent housing. - Act as a liaison and mediator for housing issues that may arise. - Participate in meetings offered by Permanent Supportive Housing and Rapid Rehousing programs, along with other service provider meetings as time permits. - Seek and engage with other agencies in the community that focus on housing related needs. - Coordinate with and support the LES Manager in the design and implementation of a Snohomish County Landlord Convening. - Meet weekly with the Landlord Engagement Team. - Attends all YWCA and program related meetings. - Implement all work by incorporating the YWCA’s Social Justice Initiative by understanding how racism, sexism, classism and other oppressions intersect and are embedded in all institutions and systems. - Show demonstrated ability to interact with people of different cultures and backgrounds. - Continue searching for understanding of racial, gender, and class equity. - Adhere to all volunteer services protocol related to volunteer usage, recognition and monitoring. Works alongside volunteers, where applicable. - Assure that volunteers are treated with respect and dignity regardless of race, ethnic background, gender or socioeconomic background. - Other duties as assigned. ### Must have's to be successful: - Bachelor’s degree in a related field OR minimum of 3 years of experience in property management, housing management, and/or real estate required, including negotiation and advocacy. Experience with case management and working in transitional housing is a plus AND - Knowledge of local housing services such as Rapid Re-housing, low income and affordable housing programs. - Experience working with communities of color - Knowledge of issues surrounding homelessness, poverty, domestic violence, racism, substance abuse, mental illness and affordable housing. - Knowledge of fair housing and rental market in the community - Proficiency in Word and Excel - Experience with or ability to learn the Client Track database, HMIS and online data reporting systems - Strong organizational skills and keen attention to detail - Excellent written and oral communication skills - Ability to take direction - Demonstrated ability to meet multiple deadlines and flexible schedule. - Ability to work independently as well as part of a team. - Ability to maintain confidentiality. - Ability to provide creative solutions. - Demonstrated understanding of the intersection of racism and poverty - Core Competencies Expected: Social Justice Advocacy, Planning & Organizing (Time Management), Negotiation, Problem Solving, Fostering Diversity, Ethics & Integrity, Collaboration, Attention to Detail ### Hours, Rate, and Benefits - **Hourly Rate: $28.00** - **Hours: 28 per week** - For information about our benefits, please visit: [YWCA Careers & Benefits Information](https://www.ywcaworks.org/careers). - At the time of hire, employees may enroll voluntarily in the Fidelity 403b Plan ### Physical Requirements - Work is primarily done in an office environment and community locations but travel to agency office sites and meetings is frequently required. - Continuously exchanges information through listening and talking with clients, agency staff, employers, other individuals in the community - Frequently reaches and grasps in using telephones, computers, fax machines and other office equipment and supplies, stands, walks, sits, and climbs in performing duties in the office. - Frequently lifts and carries up to 5 lbs. of paperwork, files, and class materials, occasionally up to 40 lbs. <