POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS seeks a Housing Specialist to manage the development of resources and relationships with stakeholders that will lead to the expansion of affordable housing opportunities for newcomers resettled through the HIAS affiliate network. The Housing Specialist will work with the Resettlement & Integration department and Affiliate Network staff to develop innovative solutions to support the availability of safe, healthy, and affordable housing options for refugees and other newcomers. The Housing Specialist should have a strong understanding of the housing market, including housing policy and economics; a basic knowledge of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program is preferred. The Housing Specialist will report to the Assistant Director, Initial Resettlement and will work closely with the Reception & Placement team at HIAS to develop and manage housing partnerships and programs for the HIAS affiliate network.

Note, the salary range for this position is $65,000.00-70,000.00. The funding for this role is currently pending, and we will confirm with candidates before any final steps in the recruitment process.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Develops partnerships with key stakeholders, including, but not limited to, government agencies, landlords, businesses, property managers and resettlement agencies, to create sustainable and innovative housing solutions.
• In partnership with relevant stakeholders, develops outreach and educational materials for affiliates, landlords and private stakeholders on the benefits of renting to newly arrived refugees.
• Leads housing technical assistance trainings and workshops with housing coordinators and other affiliate staff.
• Liaises with national refugee resettlement agencies and affiliates to survey and understand housing challenges and needs.
• Represents HIAS at the National Housing Working Group and other relevant meetings with U.S. Government and NGOs.
• Keeps HIAS’ Resettlement & Integration team apprised of up-to-date housing-related field research and best practices.
• Supports HIAS’ Virtual Reception & Placement team with assistance locating and securing housing for recently arrived refugees in the event of a US Tie breakdown.
• Provides group and individual technical assistance to affiliate agencies having trouble accessing safe, sanitary and affordable housing for refugee newcomers.
• Manages HIAS’ Airbnb and other temporary housing partnerships, including the dissemination of funds and tracking and reporting of bookings throughout the HIAS network.
• Completes special projects as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Undergraduate degree required.
• 3-5 years of relevant work experience in housing required.
• Knowledge of housing development and policy and affordable housing landscape required.
• Knowledge of housing economics preferred.
• Excellent project and data management skills.
• Knowledge of U.S. Refugee Program desirable; previous work experience at a resettlement agency or affiliate a plus.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; comfortable public speaking to a diverse range of audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to maintain key relationships with program staff at HIAS affiliates and other national resettlement agencies.
• Self-starter; able to manage and carry out varied functions of multi-faceted program.
• Well-organized and detail-oriented; ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of Microsoft 365 platform, including SharePoint and MS Teams, preferred; proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Word is essential.
• Knowledge of data analytics or visualization platforms (Power BI, Tableau, etc.) desirable.
• Ability to travel within the United States an average of 3 times per year to visit affiliate sites as needed.
• Travel, to include travel to insecure operating environments, may be required.

HIRING PROCESS:

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process:

Step 1: Submit your application!

Step 2: Phone screen with a HIAS recruiter.

Step 3: Video interview with the hiring manager.

Step 4: Video interview with a panel of HIAS employees.

Step 5: Online reference check with SkillSurvey.

Step 6: Offer and background check with Shield Screening or HireRight.

Step 7: Start your professional journey with HIAS!

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.

ABOUT US:

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.

VISION:

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.

MISSION:

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • Hachnasat Orchim

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • Tzedek

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • Chesed

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • Chevruta

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • Ometz

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • Ruach

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. We strongly encourage applicants of diverse identities, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply even if you do not meet all required qualifications but have other qualifications relevant to the role that would make you a great fit for this role with HIAS!

SAFEGUARDING:

HIAS is committed to the protection of children, vulnerable adults and any other person from any harm caused directly or indirectly due to their coming into contact with HIAS. We will not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or any form of child abuse or neglect by our staff or associated personnel. Any candidate offered a job with HIAS will be expected to sign and adhere to HIAS’ Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. HIAS also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. Likewise, HIAS will share this information when other organizations inquire about current and former HIAS staff as part of their recruitment process. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.