Job Description

Resource Navigator

Department: Programs

Status: Non-Exempt, Full-Time, Grant funded limited duration

Location: Seattle, WA.

Pay Rate: $30.46 - $34.13/hour

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

FareStart has been helping people transform their lives through food for 30 years — one person, one job and one community at a time.

People experiencing poverty struggle to escape the cycle they are in and often face other compounding barriers to getting and keeping a job. At FareStart, we help people overcome barriers by teaching work and life skills needed to succeed in employment and in life. By investing in people, providing meals and building community, we transform homelessness, hunger and poverty into human potential.

OUR VISION

Every individual has the opportunity to thrive in an equitable and just world.

OUR MISSION

FareStart transforms lives, disrupts poverty and nourishes communities through food, life skills and job training.

OUR VALUES

• Acceptance: We build relationships based on the belief that the past informs but does not dictate the future.
• Respect: We treat everyone with dignity, regardless of background or differences. We actively listen and seek first to understand. We are honest, even when it is difficult.
• Openness: We create a culture of trust through transparency and open communication. We are open to new ideas.
• Collaboration: Contribute positively to strengthen the organization and our impact through teamwork and through partnerships.
• Accountability: We are responsible to each other, to our community and ourselves. We are committed to rigorous evaluation and making fiscally responsible decisions that align with our mission.
• Inclusion: We provide a community of belonging, regardless of background. We value and seek out diversity.
• Growth: We are a learning organization. We invest in continuous improvement and growth.

ABOUT THE POSITION

This is a grant funded position expected to end at the end of 2027, unless extended based on future funding. This position develops and maintains partnerships with community organizations, case managers, and service providers to ensure student applicants to FareStart programs have access to critical resources including recovery services, housing assistance, mental health care, legal aid, and nutritional support. This role conducts outreach and follow-up with individuals referred by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and supports student applicants through the pre-screening and enrollment process for FareStart’s student programs, helping ensure individuals receive the guidance and assistance needed to achieve personal stability and career readiness.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities  include the following:

• Develop, maintain, and enhance referral networks and comprehensive community resource directories and access to support student applicants’ access to recovery, housing, mental health, legal, nutritional, and other support services.
• Initiate and manage outreach and reference communications with community corrections officers, case managers, mental health professionals, physicians, and substance use disorder counselors to gather relevant information and support applicant evaluation.
• Provide student applicants with assistance in enrolling in public support systems and obtaining identification documents.
• Conduct pre-screening interviews and follow-up communications with applicants to FareStart’s student programs to assess eligibility and support enrollment.
• Oversee and maintain student drug and alcohol testing requirements for programs students or applicants, including scheduling, coordination, documentation, and compliance with organizational and legal standards.
• Identify and secure resources such as gift cards, vouchers, and other student support items through partnerships with FareStart staff, local businesses, community organizations, and government programs.
• Collaborate with department staff and external partners to streamline referral and intake processes.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation of outreach activities, applicant progress, and program outcomes.
• Ensure confidentiality and security of student records, maintain compliance with organizational policies and legal requirements.
• Participate in meetings, trainings, and case management conferences as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Don’t meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At FareStart, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

• Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, or a related field and two (2) or more years of related experience in outreach, case management, or social service coordination; and/or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience developing partnerships and referral networks within community-based organizations.
• The ability to travel to community resource and partnership sites.
• Familiarity with regional public assistance programs, recovery services, and housing or employment resources.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality while handling sensitive material.
• Proficient and experienced in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. Ability to work with customer relationship management (CRM) databases and technology and to conduct internet research.
• Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team, within diverse teams and environments.
• Ability to communicate effectively and comfortably with audiences of different backgrounds and experiences.
• Ability to display sensitivity, tact, and responsiveness in various situations and maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Ability to listen, give and receive feedback in a productive and professional manner.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to adapt communication based on audience and purpose with inclusivity. Ability to disseminate information effectively to appropriate levels.
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to balance and prioritize multiple tasks and requests and meet deadlines in a professional manner.
• Ability to evaluate problems and effectively solve them in a timely manner. Ability to respond to concerns with empathy and inclusivity. Respond appropriately to conflict.
• Ability to delegate responsibilities, work with others, and coach employees to develop their full potential. Provide helpful, behaviorally specific feedback to others. Regularly meet with employees to review their development progress and express confidence in their abilities to be successful. Engage in open and honest communication.
• Ability to work a non-standard/flexible schedule, which may include weekends, evenings, and holidays. 

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• This position is exposed to a typical office environment.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• There may be a combination of remote work and onsite work dependent upon business needs. 

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• This position may occasionally be required to lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is frequently required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, or crouch.

BENEFIT HIGHLIGHTS

• Competitive pay based on experience and qualifications
• Paid time-off (5 weeks first year of employment)
• Paid holidays, including up 2 floating holidays
• 401(k) savings plan with company match
• Medical (including vision), Dental, Disability, and Life Insurance
• Employee discounts at FareStart retail social enterprises
• Employee Assistance Program
• Free ORCA pass

Why Should You Apply?

• Be part of our mission to disrupt poverty.
• Join a supportive, respectful, and celebratory community among our staff, students, board, and volunteers.
• Organizational commitment to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.
• FareStart encourages the personal and professional growth of its employees.

For information on FareStart, including more information on employee benefits and our company culture, visit our website at:

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity

FareStart is committed to becoming a fully inclusive, antiracist, diverse organization. To fulfill our mission, vision, and values we are seeking candidates who demonstrate shared values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism.

Our Commitment to Anti-Racism

FareStart defines antiracism as the clear acknowledgment that racism permeates organizations, communities, and industries, including our own. We recognize that we have a duty to be vigilant in addressing and confronting racism in how we make decisions, show up in our communities, build business practices and policies, and engage in intentional partnerships and philanthropic endeavors to fulfill our mission and vision.

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