Housing Intern

Company: Immigrant Legal Center
Location: Omaha
Posted on: May 28, 2023

Job Description:

POSITION TITLE: - Housing Intern
REPORTS TO: - - - - - - - - - - Housing Coordinator WORKSITE: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Omaha, NE TIMEFRAME: - - - - - - - - - - - - May 2023 - December 2023 or August 2023 - December 2023 HOURS: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 15 - 20 hours per week PAY: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $15.00 per hour ORGANIZATIONAL DESCRIPTION: Immigrant Legal Center and Refugee Empowerment Center merged on October 1, 2022, uniting two of Nebraska's most well-respected immigrant-serving agencies. With over fifty years of combined service, ILC and REC have a wealth of expertise, experience, and resources that allow our staff to provide a wholistic blend of high-quality services to our newest friends and neighbors. As Nebraska and southwest Iowa's leading immigration legal services provider and refugee resettlement agency, we are focused on empowering immigrants to live with confidence and free from fear. Through immigration legal services, refugee resettlement, social work, education, and advocacy, we are unique in our ability to meet the ever-changing needs of immigrant communities. Our singular mission is serving our newest neighbors with the highest quality of services while maintaining the dignity of every person regardless of their country of origin or immigration background. POSITION DESCRIPTION: The Housing Team is under the Resettlement & Placement (R&P) REC Program. The team provides the foundational need for safe shelter, housing support and education for newly arrived refugees. The Housing Team has provided safe affordable housing to 900+ total individuals in Nebraska since 2022. The Housing Team is a crucial entity for R&P, providing housing is a social determinate of refugees' success resettling into Omaha. The Housing Intern will report directly to the Housing Coordinator. This position would assist the Housing Coordinator in securing safe affordable housing and ongoing housing support for newly arrived refugees in Omaha. The Housing Intern would (1) conduct housing searches, (2) assist with intake and case closure, and (3) conduct other duties as assigned. This internship position will receive ongoing supervision, guidance, and mentorship from the Housing Coordinator and the R&P team to foster a positive growing environment. We are seeking someone that is passionate for welcoming refugees and immigrants to Nebraska and has a strong sense of compassion and cultural awareness. The ideal candidate would demonstrate strong sense of urgency for immediate client needs, communications skills, and eagerness to grow. CORE FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION: Conduct Housing Searches

• Assist the Housing Coordinator in conducting a housing search in the Omaha area for incoming refugees who are a large family of four or more -members.
• Use the Landlord Contacts & Lease Information directory as a reference to seek out new and existing housing opportunities and update new landlords and property manager information as -needed.
• Shadow and accompany the Housing Coordinator when meeting and negotiating with new landlords and conducting housing -inspections.
• Conduct calls, answer emails, and form strong rapport and communication with existing, new, and potential landlords, as assigned by the Housing Coordinator
• Act with urgency to securing safe affordable housing when a great offer is -found. Assist with Intake and Case Closure
  • Educate and explain the leasing agreement to refugee families and individuals (with an interpreter present), in a form that is easy to comprehend and -understand.
  • Educate clients on the housing procedures, etiquette, and the dos -and don'ts as a renter/tenant.
  • Look into occasional maintenance issues for clients before contacting the -landlord.
  • During case closure, educate the clients on how to pay rent, utilities (MUD & OPPD), and how to contact the landlord if needs -arise.
  • Provide accurate case notes of case in-take and closure for case reports to the Housing Coordinator as -needed. Other Duties as Assigned
    • Provide and complete a Metro Housing Collaborative Referral form online by providing accurate case -information.
      • Create and set-up online utility company accounts for some -clients.
      • There will be an occasional need to move furniture requiring carrying more than 25 -pounds.
      • Occasionally attend community meetings relating to housing justice or advocacy
      • Collaborate with other Case Managers on the REC team to provide high quality assistance and support to -clients. QUALIFICATIONS:
        • Strong dedication to ILC + REC's Core Values & Mission.
        • Enrollment in either a bachelor's degree that focuses in the following areas of study like -international studies, international relations, or other equivalent studies to successfully perform the essential duties of the job is preferred. -
        • Experience working with refugee and immigrant populations is strongly preferred.
        • Strong commitment to helping refugees and immigrants.
        • Demonstrates strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
        • Ability to demonstrate strong problem-solving skills combined with the proven ability to multi-task, prioritize duties, and manage time effectively.
        • Deep understanding and ability to work sensitively and well with people of diverse national, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender, and socioeconomic backgrounds, is required.
        • Commitment to ongoing learning, both as an individual and as part of a team to value, promote, and engage in DEI and anti-racism.
        • Fluency in using Office 365 applications (ex. Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint, etc.) and strong ability to learn new software.
        • Ability to carry more 5 - 25 pounds.
        • Ability to pass all required background checks.
        • Valid driver's license and access to a personal, insured vehicle is required. COMPENSATION:
          • Pay rate of $15.00 per hour.
          • This position is a part-time internship, requiring only 15 - 20 hours per week, and is therefore not eligible for full-time employee benefits. - TO APPLY
            • Please upload your resume, cover letter, and three professional references all in PDF format through the application link.

Keywords: Immigrant Legal Center, Omaha , Housing Intern, Other , Omaha, Nebraska