Youth Homelessness Demonstration… at Montana Legal… · Billings

The Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project (YHDP) Navigator will provide project management and development for MLSA’s Youth and Young Adult (YYA) Legal Housing Project while also serving as a single point of contact for YYA who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and need legal services. The Navigator will work with a statewide network of organizations dedicated to serving homeless and at-risk YYA to provide these services.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Respectfully interview potential applicants for legal services who may be under stress of legal action, elicit factual information from applicants, analyze the type of legal problem presented to determine whether MLSA may assist, or whether a referral is appropriate, and evaluate legal need and financial eligibility of the applicant.

• Conduct outreach with YYA-specific social service organizations, community centers, and other organizations and agencies that see large numbers of YYA.
• Work with a network of service organizations that provide services, including emergency shelter, to homeless and at-risk YYA.
• Accept client referrals and conduct intake interviews with YYA in need of services.
• Serve as a single point of contact and provide intensive support to YYA as they receive legal assistance from an MLSA attorney and navigate the justice system.
• Support MLSA attorneys with legal tasks as they serve YYA.
• Develop additional community resources on legal issues for both YYA and service providers to help navigate local, state, federal, and tribal legal systems.
• Refer YYA clients to network organizations and other service organizations as needed for additional supportive and emergency housing services.
• Gather data related to grant-related goals and metrics and submit required grant reports to the funder.
• Provide back-up to the MLSA Helpline, including conducting general intakes when needed.
• Provide back up to the front desk to greet and assist walk-in clients.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Supervisor, or MLSA management.

 

Qualifications

Required

• Comfortable with data tracking, reporting, and documentation.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.

• Experience working collaboratively and empathetically with diverse groups of colleagues and clients who have varying cultural backgrounds, perspectives, experience, and expertise.
• Capacity to learn and adapt.
• High degree of computer data entry proficiency and accuracy.

• Ability to work productively in a fast-paced environment with multiple timelines.
• Ability to organize, prioritize and manage multiple activities and tasks.
• Knowledge and proficiency in utilizing computer software such as Microsoft Office Suite, computer-based research, internet-based project management programs, and video conferencing platforms, etc.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to manage projects.

 

Preferred

• Minimum of 3 years of experience working in a work context with youth and young adults, populations at risk of homelessness, or other poverty populations.
• Experience networking with community organizations and conducting outreach campaigns.

• Familiarity with Montana Justice and City Court procedures.
• Experience with grant-funded program reporting and management.
• Understanding of professional conduct rules or legal ethics (training provided).

 

Competencies

• Commitment to trauma-informed practice.

• Ability and willingness to work cooperatively and collegially with multiple timelines within a decentralized statewide law firm.

• High attention to detail and consistent follow-through.
• Skilled interpersonal communicator able to work in multidisciplinary teams.
• Respect for confidentiality and strong ethical judgment.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid work environment with travel required, including to rural and tribal communities.
• Primarily sedentary and performed in an office environment, requiring regular computer use and the ability to alternate between sitting and standing at a workstation for most of the workday.
• Occasional evening or weekend training sessions.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and be willing to travel throughout Montana if needed.