Emergency Rent Assistance Specialist (Bilingual Spanish)

About the role

CAP Northwest, the oldest and largest AIDS Service Organization in Oregon and Southwest Washington, is hiring a full-time Emergency Rent Assistance Specialist (bilingual Spanish) for its Housing and Support Services Department. The role supports short-term financial needs, housing stability and medical engagement, information and referral, client advocacy and eviction prevention. It is based at the Davis Street office in Portland's Old Town area, with a hybrid schedule Monday to Thursday, 9:00am to 5:00pm, three days in the office and one day working from home.

Key responsibilities

• Build rapport with clients using a supportive strengths-based model that promotes their self-determination and independence
• Complete emergency rental assistance applications with clients, negotiate payments with clients and landlords, and collect payment documentation from landlords when appropriate
• Complete housing assessments, goal planning, release of information statements and deposit return agreements, and prepare check requests for program management
• Collect income and housing documentation from clients, landlords/property managers and utility providers
• Refer clients to mental health, substance abuse, HIV prevention and other community partners as needed
• Work with medical case managers and providers to coordinate comprehensive care for people living with HIV, focusing on housing stability

Required profile

• Fluent verbal and written Spanish and English
• One year of professional work experience relevant to the position
• Prior experience providing financial assistance or similar services
• Experience working with ethnically, racially, economically and sexually diverse populations, people experiencing homelessness, and people with mental illness and/or substance dependence
• Able to work independently with sound judgement and to travel frequently across the service area
• Valid driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle

Required skills

• Demonstrated computer proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Working knowledge of the internet

What we offer

• Starting pay of $51,160.51 per year ($30.75 per hour) plus a $1.00 per hour bilingual differential, rising with tenure to $59,408.75
• Vacation and health leave, retirement, medical, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, disability and family leave
• Union representation