Housing Specialist

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey empowers our members to achieve their best health. For over 90 years , we have been New Jersey’s health solutions leader driving innovations that improve health care quality, affordability, and member experience. Our members are our neighbors, our friends, and our families. It is this understanding that drives us to better serve and care for the 3.5 million people who place their trust in us. We pride ourselves on our best-in-class employees and strive to maintain an innovative and inclusive environment that allows them to thrive. When our employees bring their best and succeed, the Company succeeds. About the Role This position is responsible for helping to identify, secure, and maintain community-based housing for MLTSS/SNP/Medicaid Members and for developing, articulating, and implementing a broader housing strategy within the Contractor to expand housing availability/options. The Housing Specialist(s) shall act as the Contractors central housing expert(s)/resource(s), providing education and assistance to all Contractors relevant staff (care managers and others) regarding supportive housing services and related issues for MLTSS Members. What You'll Do ​ Develop a housing strategy for Horizon membership (specifically MLTSS/SNP/Medicaid) Identify and manage resources for housing options Provide education to all relevant staff, Care Management, Member Advocates and Utilization Management on housing options and resources. Assist with locating and placing members in appropriate housing, facilitating transitions to community settings. Complete reports to meet the state requirements; including but not limited to progress towards goals, quality monitoring. Act as a liaison with DMAHS staff or its designee to receive training and capacity building assistance. Must work closely with relevant public and private housing resources and stakeholders, including but not limited to HUD subsidized housing, all Department of Community Affairs (DCA), New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJ HMFA) housing program voucher programs, public housing authorities, realtors, and online housing locator resources. What You Bring Education/Experience: High School Diploma/GED required. Requires three (3) years full-time experience in assisting vulnerable populations (e.g. homeless, elderly, people with disabilities, etc.) to secure accessible, affordable housing. Requires two (2) years work experience for a public agency or related work in a social service or community service field. Knowledge: Must be familiar with relevant public and private housing resources and stakeholders, including but not limited to HUD subsidized housing, all Department of Community Affairs (DCA), New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJ HMFA) housing program voucher programs, public housing authorities, realtors, and online housing locator resources. Must have knowledge of Medicare/Medicaid Knowledge of Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) Skills and Abilities: Requires strong interpersonal and advocating skills. Requires strong verbal and written communication skills. Requires good PC skills and the ability to utilize Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Access, Word). Requires good problem solving, investigation, mediation, and conflict resolution skills. Requires good Reporting and Oral Presentation skills. Requires strong organizational skills and ability to work with limited daily supervision. Ability to use sound judgment and a professional approach. Requires a strong background in processing prior authorizations and show proven expertise in navigating various systems. This includes familiarity with care management systems as well as state-managed entities such as the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and the Medicaid Eligibility Verification System. Travel: May require travel within New Jersey. Requires a car with valid New Jersey State License and Insurance. Why Horizon? At Horizon, you’ll do meaningful work that directly improves lives—while being supported by a mission‑driven organization that values expertise, collaboration, and growth. We believe that when our people thrive, our communities do too. If you are passionate about making an impact, we’d love to hear from you! Salary Range: $70,500 - $94,395 ​This compensation range is specific to the job level and takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to: education, experience, licensure, certifications, geographic location, and internal equity. This range has been created in good faith based on information known to Horizon at the time of posting. Compensation decisions are dependent on the circumstances of each case. Horizon also provides a comprehensive compensation and benefits package which includes: Comprehensive health benefits (Medical/Dental/Vision) Retirement Plans Generous PTO Incentive Plans Wellness Programs Paid Volunteer Time Off Tuition Reimbursement Disclaimer: Horizon BCBSNJ employees must live in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut or Delaware. This job summary has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by colleagues within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of colleagues assigned to this job. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status or status as an individual with a disability and any other protected class as required by federal, state or local law. Horizon will consider reasonable accommodation requests as part of the recruiting and hiring process.