The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
The Housing Specialist ensures and coordinates the furnishing of safe, sanitary, and affordable housing for newly arriving clients and provides related logistical support. This role will work with staff, clients, and community partners to stabilize clientsโ households by connecting them with long-term resources for low-income and designated affordable housing opportunities. In coordination with the Team, the Housing Specialist will be responsible for locating housing for clients. The Housing Specialist also participates, as required, in program planning and service developments through teams, committees and work groups.
Major Responsibilities:
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
โข Identify and secure safe, sanitary, and affordable housing for newly arriving refugees in compliance with established program requirements.
โข Conduct ongoing outreach to current and potential landlords and property managers, building strong working relationships with the goal of increasing access to housing for refugee families and to coordinate client home repair requests as needed. Collaborate effectively with coworkers and partner organizations to support a positive resettlement experience.
โข Coordinate logistics of housing set-ups including ordering furniture and supplies and arranging delivery, arranging utility hook-ups, facilitating lease signings and renewals, arranging payments, and conducting home safety inspections.
โข Implement a high-quality procurement protocol including researching potential new vendors, following appropriate financial and purchasing procedures, and maintaining required documentation.
โข Deliver orientations to clients independently or in collaboration with housing case workers may support other pre- and post-arrival activities such as airport pick-ups.
โข Satisfy recordkeeping requirements.
โข Use personal, insured vehicle and/or public transportation (where available) to travel and transport clients and materials as needed throughout the service delivery area.
โข May train and lead the activities of support staff, volunteers, and interns.
โข Other duties as assigned.
Job Requirements:
Education: Bachelorโs degree in social work or related field of study preferred. Updated January 2026
Work Experience:
โข Relevant professional experience in human services field required; minimum of 2 yearsโ experience strongly preferred.
โข Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations strongly preferred.
Demonstrated Skills & Competencies:
โข Ability to learn to navigate or familiarity with database systems such as IRIS and Efforts to Outcomes (ETO)
โข Strong relationship building, diplomacy, and networking skills; ability to effectively build internal and external relationships.
โข Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
โข Self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the proven ability to multi-task, prioritize duties, and manage time effectively.
โข Attention to detail and accuracy in work product.
โข Ability to regularly lift ~50 lbs
โข Fluency in English, both spoken and written; proficiency in language(s) spoken by IRCโs clients is desired; including Dari, Farsi, and/or Pashto.
โข Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook); ability to use the internet and other digital tools for data entry, research and problem-solving purposes.
โข Valid driverโs license and access to a personal, insured vehicle.
Working Environment:
โข A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and โfieldโ time within the service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities.
โข May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.
Compensation: (Pay Range: $26.00- 27.00) Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.
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US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $163 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.
Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.