Resource Specialist, Rapid Re-housing

About Primavera Foundation

The Primavera Foundation is co-creating pathways out of poverty through outreach, housing, workforce development, comprehensive community development, homeownership and financial education, and community building and engagement. The Rapid Rehousing (RRH) Program aims to help individuals and families experiencing homelessness move as quickly as possible into permanent housing and achieve long-term housing stability. Through individualized service planning, resource referrals, housing navigation, rental assistance, and supportive services, the program meets participants where they are and provides the level of case management and support needed to assist them in obtaining and maintaining housing.

The Resource Specialist is responsible for supporting rapid housing placement, providing ongoing case management and housing stabilization services. The Resource Specialist utilizes a progressive engagement and Housing First model, trauma-informed practices, and participant-centered approaches to support participants in obtaining and maintaining housing, increasing income and self-sufficiency, and connecting to appropriate community resources.

The successful candidate will be a culturally responsive social services professional who has a positive influence on others, thrives on facilitating processes, works with a sense of urgency, is disciplined, detail-oriented, and results-oriented, sets high standards for themselves and others, and demonstrates strong planning, teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Work assignments may vary depending on department needs and will be communicated by leadership.)

Participant Intake, Assessment & Case Management

• Conduct assigned participant pre-screening, intake, enrollment, assessments, service planning, and program exits in accordance with agency, HUD, RRH, and funding requirements.
• Create and maintain complete participant files within 48 hours of intake, ensuring required documentation, assessments, referrals, releases, and supporting records remain current throughout program participation.
• Complete required assessments and develop and update Housing Stability Plans, budgets, participant rent portions, and goals to support successful housing outcomes.
• Provide trauma-informed, Housing First, progressive engagement, and participant-centered case management focused on housing stability, self-sufficiency, and preventing returns to homelessness.
• Conduct home visits, field visits, and community-based meetings as required to support participant engagement, housing placement, and retention.
• Build positive relationships with participants and provide coaching, advocacy, problem-solving, and life skills development to address housing barriers and promote independence.
• Educate participants regarding Fair Housing, Arizona Landlord-Tenant rights and responsibilities, lease obligations, program requirements, and self-advocacy.
• Connect participants with healthcare, behavioral health, employment, benefits, childcare, transportation, financial education, and other community resources to support housing stability and increased income.
• Provide ongoing housing stabilization services, including crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and assistance with participant or landlord concerns that may jeopardize housing retention.
• Support participants in securing permanent housing within 30 days of intake whenever reasonably achievable.

Housing Navigation, Landlord Relations & Move-In Coordination

• Provide housing navigation services, including housing searches, landlord engagement, application assistance, lease negotiation and review, and move-in coordination.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with landlords, property managers, and community partners to expand housing opportunities for participants.
• Prepare and review required landlord documentation and assess housing opportunities for rent reasonableness, applicable Fair Market Rent requirements, program eligibility, and funding compliance.
• Conduct and document required housing inspections, coordinate necessary repairs with landlords, and ensure units meet applicable safety, habitability, and program requirements prior to move-in and throughout program participation.

Financial Assistance & Program Support

• Coordinate rental assistance, utility assistance, supportive services, and other allowable participant financial assistance in accordance with agency and funding requirements.
• Prepare and submit check requests, receipts, and supporting documentation within established timelines, coordinating with the Program Specialist and Finance Department to ensure accurate processing and tracking of participant assistance.
• Coordinate with participants, landlords, utility providers, and other vendors regarding approved financial commitments, invoices, reimbursements, and payment discrepancies.
• Coordinate and provide allowable transportation assistance to support housing placement, housing retention, employment, healthcare, childcare, and other housing stability needs.
• Assist with purchasing, inventory tracking, pickups, deliveries, and distribution of participant supplies, including HUB Kits, move-in items, emergency supplies, food assistance, and other program resources.

HMIS, Documentation & Reporting

• Enter participant information, services, housing updates, outcomes, and case notes into HMIS and other required databases within established timelines, including initial intake data entry within two (2) hours of intake.
• Maintain 99% HMIS data accuracy and 95% case file audit accuracy, correcting identified deficiencies within established timelines.
• Complete case notes by the end of each workday and ensure participant files, HMIS records, tracking logs, and supporting documentation accurately reflect services provided.
• Complete and update all required participant tracking logs, spreadsheets, and program records weekly, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely submission.
• Complete required weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports accurately and within established deadlines.
• Support the program's established goal of 90% of participants exiting to stable housing and not returning to homelessness within 9–12 months of program exit, as measured by available program data.
• Document and report incidents, grievances, safety concerns, and significant events in accordance with agency policies and reporting procedures.

Collaboration, Communication & Team Support

• Collaborate with program staff, management, Finance, landlords, service providers, community partners, and other Primavera programs to support participant success and effective program operations.
• Maintain open and professional communication, boundaries with coworkers and management to promote teamwork, consistent service delivery, and timely resolution of participant needs.
• Communicate proactively with management regarding participant concerns, housing barriers, safety issues, documentation deficiencies, financial matters, compliance concerns, and other program needs.
• Participate in team meetings, case staffing discussions, trainings, and program activities, contributing information, updates, and recommendations to support participant outcomes.
• Coordinate with the Senior Resource Specialist, Program Specialist, and Director to address outstanding participant needs, required documentation, housing placement activities, and program deadlines.
• Provide backup coverage to other Resource Specialists when needed for urgent participant situations to maintain continuity of services.
• Assist new staff and interns through job shadowing, training, sharing program knowledge, and demonstrating routine RRH procedures as assigned.
• Communicate participant updates, pending tasks, and follow-up needs to appropriate team members to ensure continuity of services and prevent delays.
• Participate in identifying workflow challenges, sharing practical solutions, and supporting improvements to program operations and participant services.
• Maintain professional, respectful, and collaborative working relationships with coworkers, participants, landlords, and community partners while following established communication procedures and professional boundaries.
• Complete assigned tasks, respond to requests for information, and follow through on program responsibilities within established timelines.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ability to effectively engage, support, and advocate for individuals and families experiencing homelessness using trauma-informed, Housing First, progressive engagement, and participant-centered practices.
• Knowledge of HUD, Continuum of Care (CoC), Rapid Re-Housing (RRH), Fair Housing, Arizona Landlord-Tenant, HMIS, and organizational policies, procedures, and funding requirements.
• Strong organizational, time management, communication, documentation, and recordkeeping skills, with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, solve problems, exercise sound judgment, and adapt in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with participants, landlords, property managers, service providers, community partners, and team members.
• Ability to conduct housing navigation, coordinate services, identify barriers to housing stability, and develop practical solutions that support successful housing outcomes.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with professionalism, discretion, and integrity.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, HMIS, databases, and other technology platforms required to perform essential job functions.
• Ability to work independently while contributing positively to a collaborative team environment and supporting program goals and outcomes.
• Collaborate with the Program Specialist, Program Leads, Director, Officer, Primavera programs and staff, landlords, service providers, and community partners to support participant housing stability and program operations.
• Communicate proactively with leadership regarding participant concerns, housing barriers, safety issues, documentation, financial matters, compliance, and other program needs.
• Attend required meetings, 1:1s, trainings, and staff meetings and maintain current knowledge of HUD, Housing First, progressive engagement, Fair Housing and organizational policies.
• Follow all agency, program, funding, safety, financial, documentation policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Demonstrate integrity, respect, accountability, compassion, leadership, professionalism, flexibility, and teamwork.
• Support program goals related to timely housing placement, housing retention, participant self-sufficiency, and preventing returns to homelessness.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by leadership.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, or a related field.
• Minimum of one (1) years of case management experience working with individuals and families in a shelter, housing, homelessness, social services, and/or trauma-related setting.
• Minimum of one (1) years of experience using web-based databases, including Microsoft Excel, SharePoint, HMIS or similar tracking systems.
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience conducting housing inspections (NSPIRE, HQS, Habitability), housing compliance or similar housing-related inspections.
• Experience building and maintaining professional relationships with landlords, property managers, housing providers, and community stakeholders.
• Experience utilizing HMIS or a comparable web-based case management or housing database system.
• Current First Aid and CPR certification, or ability to obtain both within 90 days of employment.
• Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card, or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment.
• Mental Health First Aid certification, or ability to obtain within 90 days of employment.
• Must have completed required housing inspection compliance training, or ability to obtain within 6 months of employment.
• Ability to successfully complete required agency, program, safety, and other applicable trainings.
• Reliable transportation, a valid driver's license, and proof of current vehicle registration and insurance coverage.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bilingual English/Spanish.
• Two (2) or more years of case management experience in social work, housing, or related human services.
• Minimum of two (2) year of experience conducting housing inspections (NSPIRE, HQS, Habitability), housing compliance or similar housing-related inspections.
• Experience with Rapid Rehousing, Housing First, and Progressive engagement housing stability models.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience using web-based databases, including HMIS.
• Experience working landlords/property managers and coordinating housing placements.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work is performed primarily in a shared office environment with moderate noise and activity.
• Position requires regular interaction with participants in the office, participant homes, community locations, housing sites, and other outdoor environments.
• May require extended periods of desk and computer work.
• Requires sufficient visual acuity and hand dexterity to perform computer and documentation duties.
• May require bending, stooping, crouching, standing, walking, and lifting up to 40 pounds.
• Position requires travel throughout the community for participant appointments, home visits, housing navigation, inspections, transportation, supply pickups, and other program-related activities.