Housing Support Specialist

No two days are ever the same at the shelter! The Women's Shelter team is excited to welcome talented Housing Support Specialists to join us. If you are trauma-informed and passionate about working with the unhoused, we can't wait to meet you.

Why Join Us?

• Competitive benefits
• Immediate impact - this is not just sitting behind a boring desk all day. You'll get to be truly active and engaged with your team and the community.
• Leadership team invested in your success and wellness (this work is hard and we want to support you!)
• CPLC is a trusted non-profit, with decades of work partnering with local communities to drive economic and political empowerment.

Pay & Benefits

• $20 hourly, non-exempt
• Employee Assistance Program
• Floating Personal Holiday
• Employee Recognition Program
• Paid Time Off & Paid Sick Days
• Medical, Dental, and Vision for Spouse/Domestic Partner & Children up to age 26
• Health Savings Account & Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness Services and Engagement Program
• Telemedicine & Concierge Services
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Voluntary Pet Insurance and other optional/voluntary benefits for additional peace of mind
• Tuition Reimbursement for qualifying degrees

Location

5400 Gibson Blvd SE

Schedule

Rotating (day, swing, and night shifts until filled), full-time, onsite and in the community as needed. Shifts may have to adapt from time-to-time, including holidays/weekends as needed to support the shelter.

About Women's Shelter

Women's Housing Navigation Center offers a safe and welcoming environment to women experiencing homelessness in Albuquerque. The center is open year-round and offers meals, a warm overnight bed, and secure under-bed storage. The shelter provides low barrier, trauma-informed case management, job searching, and other supportive services. The team works to guide guests through a successful exit from the shelter to safe, stable housing, and a plan for ongoing support.

Responsibilities

• Engage guests with empathy from the start, conducting intakes, assessing needs, and ensuring accurate HMIS documentation.
• Bring a trauma-informed approach, creating a safe, non-judgmental environment where individuals feel supported and understood.
• Proactively manage case plans, helping residents navigate housing, employment, and community resources on their path to stability.
• Stay calm under pressure, using effective crisis intervention and de-escalation skills to support residents in challenging moments.
• Maintain clear records and data tracking with high organization and attention to detail.
• Foster a positive community by resolving conflicts, encouraging participation, and modeling integrity, respect, and peaceful co-existence.
• Prioritize safety and compliance, upholding shelter guidelines while ensuring a clean, secure, and welcoming space.
• Support full shelter operations, including coordinating pet care agreements and transportation coordination.

Impact

As the Housing Support Specialist, you'll be in a multifaceted role delivering trauma-informed, client-centered support to female residents at the Women’s Housing Navigation Shelter. You'll combine housing case management and intake coordination to ensure a seamless service experience for guests entering and residing in the shelter. Week-to-week, you'll conduct intake assessments, complete data entry, use crisis intervention, create individualized service plans, connect guests to community resources, and provide ongoing support to promote housing stability and self-sufficiency. You'll ensure compliance with shelter policies while fostering a safe, respectful, and empowering environment.

Intake & Guest Support

• Conduct intake interviews and assessments, enter and maintain guest data (HMIS, Bed Tracker), complete VI-SPDATs, connect guests to Coordinated Entry.
• Address immediate needs/crises, and explain shelter rules.

Case Management & Housing Navigation

• Assess needs and barriers, create service plans, provide emotional support and encouragement.
• Give referrals, and guide clients toward long-term housing and stability.

Resident Oversight & Shelter Operations

• Monitor safety, enforce rules and curfew, maintain cleanliness, manage conflicts.
• Support residents with accessing supplies, meals, transportation, and scheduling.
• Assist with facility cleanliness, guest transport scheduling, and pet coordination as needed.

Community Building & Engagement

• Foster trust, encourage participation in programs, and promote a respectful, non-judgmental, supportive shelter community.

Administrative & Reporting

• Maintain accurate documentation, track metrics, and report incidents, safety concerns, and maintenance needs.

Requirements

Education / Background

• High school diploma or equivalent; in lieu of education, equivalent experience in social services or related fields will also be considered.
• Certified Peer Support Worker preferred.
• Prior experience working in a shelter, community organization, or social service setting is a plus.
• Previous experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness or in a supportive housing setting is highly desirable.
• Understanding of homelessness issues and familiarity with available community resources.
• Possess a clear understanding of the critical importance of trauma-informed care in supporting participants.
• Basic computer skills for record-keeping and reporting, such as Microsoft Office and client management software.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel locally as needed (preferred).

Other Requirements

• Ability to recognize the impact of trauma on individuals’ experiences and behaviors, and actively implement practices that promote safety, empowerment, and healing.
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed care principles and a commitment to applying them in practice.
• Foster an environment of trust and respect that plays a vital role in helping participants navigate their challenges and work towards stability and recovery.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to remain calm, professional, and maintain confidentiality in a fast-paced, high-stress environment and in stressful/crisis situations.
• Compassionate and non-judgmental attitude towards individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and independently.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to handle conflicts constructively.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations and demonstrate cultural competency.