Housing Navigation and Resource Specialist

CSU Careers•Pomona, CA

15h•$5,083 - $7,228

About The Position

Project Rebound (PR) supports the successful reintegration of formerly incarcerated students through holistic, student-centered services that remove barriers to enrollment, persistence, and graduation. Committed to expanding higher education access and advancing student success, the program centers advocacy, education, and individualized support. Grounded in values of accountability, opportunity, and perseverance, Project Rebound partners with campus and community resources to provide pre-enrollment assistance, academic advising and coaching, financial aid navigation, basic needs support, housing stability assistance, and career preparation. Project Rebound is part of the Student Support & Equity Programs department which also includes the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), Renaissance Scholars Program (RS) and Undocumented Students Services.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree - Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in one of the behavioral sciences, public or business administration or a job‑related field. Additional specialized experience during which the applicant has acquired and successfully applied the knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year‑for‑year basis. Possession of these knowledge and abilities is typically demonstrated through the equivalent of two years of professional experience in one of the student services program areas or in a related field; experience should give evidence of competence and indicate the potential for further growth. A master’s degree in a job‑related field may be substituted for one year of the professional experience.
Working knowledge of the practices, procedures and activities of the program to which assigned; general knowledge of the methods and problems of organizational and program management.
General knowledge of research and interview techniques; and of the principles of individual and group behavior.
Ability to interpret and apply program rules and regulations; use initiative and resourcefulness in planning work assignments and in implementing long-range program improvements; obtain factual and interpretative information through interviews; reason logically; collect, compile, analyze and evaluate data and make verbal or written presentations based on these data; advise students individually and in groups on routine matters where required; recognize multicultural, multisexed and multi‑aged value systems and work accordingly; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with faculty, CSU administrators, student organizations, private and public agencies and others in committee work, and student advising and community contacts; and, rapidly acquire a general knowledge of the overall operation, functions and programs of the campus to which assigned.
Demonstrated ability to make decisions and carry through actions having implications with regard to other program or service areas Services Office.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a higher education setting, particularly in student services or support programs
Familiarity with issues that affect student access, persistence, and success, particularly for students with incarceration histories
Understanding of the criminal justice system and policies that affect individuals with incarceration histories
Personal or professional experience with incarceration, reentry, or justice-involved populations
Training or experience in restorative practices or supportive care approaches
Experience working with students experiencing academic or personal challenges
Experience developing or assisting with marketing, outreach, or informational materials
Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to interact effectively by phone, email, and in person
Ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and follow through independently
Experience working in collaborative environments with staff, faculty, and campus or external partners
Ability to maintain confidentiality of student information and comply with FERPA
Familiarity with university policies and procedures related to admissions and financial aid
Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to build rapport and communicate effectively with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds
Ability to work as part of a team and contribute to shared program goals
Commitment to professional integrity, reliability, and adaptability in a dynamic work environment

Responsibilities

Housing Navigation and Student Support Services: Provide individualized support for prospective and current students experiencing a variety of housing needs.
Conduct housing intake with students and assist in identifying potential housing needs and referrals.
Assist students in navigating emergency, transitional, or long-term housing options, including public housing programs, campus placements, and local rental listings.
Consider barriers such as prior convictions, documentation gaps, caregiving responsibilities, and parole restrictions in developing reentry-informed support plans.
Help students access public benefits, student emergency funds, and financial aid while ensuring compliance with institutional, CSU, and state requirements.
Support students in maintaining housing stability through regular check-ins, referrals, and problem-solving assistance through strengths-based advising.
Provide or co-facilitate financial wellness education on topics such as budgeting, aid planning, lease literacy, and tenancy preparedness.
Support implementation of a financial and housing wellness curriculum across onboarding, advising, and workshops.
Guide students to resources to understand their rights as tenants, eviction protections, and how to access legal resources when needed.
Work with students to make informed, rights-based housing decisions aligned with their reentry conditions and life responsibilities.
Support the development and maintenance of student-facing housing navigation toolkits in multiple formats, such as Canvas modules, printed guides, and online resources.
Assist with student-facing communications and help raise awareness of housing support services through digital content, campus presentations, and community engagement.
Services Coordination and Reporting Support Assist in maintaining relationships with housing providers and community partners to expand student access to safe, affordable housing.
Track housing assistance provided, student housing status, financial disbursements, and service utilization using internal databases and documentation tools.
Monitor progress of students receiving housing grants or basic needs support, documenting engagement milestones such as check-ins and verification activities.
Assist with compiling data and outcomes for grant reporting, quarterly benchmarking, and internal assessments.
Ensure all housing navigation and support activities are aligned with CSU and institutional policies Assist in updating housing and financial wellness resources developed by program staff, including updates to tenant protections, lease negotiation, and budgeting strategies.
Create and maintain accessible materials for students and stakeholders, including presentations, tip sheets, infographics, and intake/referral forms.
Document internal workflows and tools that can be adapted or scaled for use by future staff, peer mentors, or graduate interns.
Conduct presentations and trainings for students, faculty, staff, and community partners on Project Rebound’s housing initiative and related services.
Collect student feedback and share results with program staff for review.
Participate in onboarding and outreach efforts, ensuring prospective students are screened and connected with support early in their academic journey.
Support the creation and upkeep of a centralized repository of vetted housing and legal resources accessible to students and staff.
Follow CSU and institutional policies when providing housing navigation support and refer complex situations to the Project Rebound Coordinator.
Participate in meetings, committees, and professional development activities: Meets regularly with the Lead and follows up on action items as appropriate.
Participates in SSEP department and subgroup meetings, in-service training sessions, retreats, planning conferences, and other professional development activities.
Serves on appropriate committees and in various campus organizations, representing the interests of SSEP and its constituents.
Participates in professional organizations and stays informed of new developments in academic advising, educational counseling, postsecondary access and equity programs, and student development and retention theory, research, and practice.