Program Services Coordinator II

The Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council (MMFHC) is seeking two (2) Program Services Coordinators II to provide an array of fair housing services to Milwaukee County residents.

The mission of MMFHC is to promote fair housing throughout the State of Wisconsin by combating illegal housing discrimination, and by creating and maintaining racially and economically integrated housing patterns. Working for MMFHC means being part of a present-day civil rights movement. MMFHC staff members help ensure that Wisconsin residents have information about their fair housing rights, and that people who have experienced discrimination are empowered to pursue remedies. These positions will be part of Opportunity MKE, a housing mobility initiative operated by MMFHC.

Opportunity MKE provides housing navigation services and rental coaching to families who wish to use a Milwaukee County Housing Choice Voucher to move into High Opportunity Areas. In addition, Opportunity MKE staff will conduct outreach to housing providers to educate them on the benefits of renting to Opportunity MKE participants and will maintain up-to-date listings of available housing units for referrals to program participants.

MMFHC is hiring for two positions. Both positions will be responsible for conducting all aspects of housing mobility services provided by Opportunity MKE. While the primary workload for the positions may differ, dependent on individual skills and experience, each position will work with both home seekers and housing providers. This project is supported by a five-year grant from Milwaukee County.

Position Description

Each Program Services Coordinator II will staff a full-time position (40 hours per week) based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Salary for this position is $45,000-$55,000, depending on experience and qualifications. Staff members may work a hybrid schedule of in-person and remote work, subject to pre-approval by supervisor(s).

Activities conducted by successful candidates may include:

1. Provide housing navigation services to families with Milwaukee County Housing Choice Vouchers
2. Educate families about effective opportunity moves, develop family plans, provide motivational counseling to participants regarding housing search methods and community resources
3. Provide rental coaching in one-on-one settings and group classes to help participants create a rental portfolio, remove barriers that might make it challenging to rent in the private rental market, assist with a housing search, and assist participants with every aspect of the lease-up process through the Milwaukee County Housing Choice Voucher Program
4. Assist in the development of housing provider outreach protocols, program participant screening criteria, and counseling content
5. Build relationships with other nonprofit organizations in Milwaukee County, particularly in High Opportunity Areas as identified by program protocols
6. Make contacts and develop relationships with staff at the Milwaukee County Housing Choice Voucher Program
7. Identify key referral partners to provide services that are identified through Opportunity MKE clients’ individual housing navigation plans
8. Disseminate fair housing informational materials
9. Recruit new members to the Opportunity Neighborhood Network, a group of supportive community organizations that are located in High Opportunity Areas
10. Ensure contemporaneous data entry and reporting on participant activities and housing provider outreach methods, using a case management system and other reporting tools
11. Undertake continuous efforts to educate oneself on changes to fair housing laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and programs relative to effective job performance

Qualifications

1. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, that will allow for effective communication to participants, housing providers, and program partners
2. Critical thinking skills and ability to identify challenges that families may face when attempting to rent homes in the private market, and ability to engage in collaborative problem-solving to overcome challenges
3. Ability to work cooperatively with diverse groups of people and organizations
4. Ability to perform duties of the position with minimal direction and complete work tasks in a time-sensitive environment, adapt well to changes in work environment, and manage competing demands
5. Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
6. Experience communicating and collaborating in multicultural settings
7. Familiarity with Milwaukee County, housing market practices, and community-based programs preferred
8. Experience with motivational interviewing and trauma-informed interviewing preferred
9. Commitment to vigorous enforcement of fair housing and fair lending laws
10. Ability to maintain detailed and accurate records of activities
11. Reliable, detail-oriented, and exceptionally well-organized
12. Ability to manage one’s own time and work independently
13. Computer literate; experience with Microsoft applications (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
14. Spanish or Hmong language proficiency a plus
15. A./B.S. preferred, but commensurate experience will be considered
16. Valid driver’s license