Bachelor's degree in human services or behavioral sciences, and two years of experience in case management of chronically homeless individuals; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience. Applicants within six months of meeting the minimum education/experience requirement may be considered for trainee status.

A valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy # 6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment. If in the past 24-month period, the record shows more than 3 moving traffic violations, and/or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position.
Must have registered and insured vehicle.
Successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required.

This is responsible professional social services coordination and case management work in the Alachua County Department of Community Services, Division of Social Services.
An employee assigned to this classification interviews, counsels, and investigates clients' background to determine eligibility for community-offered services; works with and coordinates services for individuals with a history of chronic homelessness who have exhibited significant behaviors that threaten their safety and wellbeing; and delivers services to individuals with one or several of the following: living with severe mental illness, developmental delays, emotional trauma, substance use disorder, and/or other disorders.

This classification requires working alongside highly vulnerable populations impacted by chronic physical, mental, substance use, and/or incarceration issues. Additionally, clients may have processing disorders affecting comprehension and ability to communicate. Cases will likely remain part of the program for undefined periods of time, resulting in the case manager serving same caseload for several years after program entry.
The work is performed under the direction of a higher-level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of the results obtained.

Exudes a positive customer service focus.

Assists individuals in developing a self-sufficiency and/or stabilization plan (including short and long-term goals), which is the foundation to maintaining housing; inclusive of counseling, advocacy, and referral services.

Conducts daily visits (home, site, hospitals, encampments, etc.) using various strategies to assess living conditions/environments, engage, and maintain client to case manager relationship.

Builds trust and rapport by maintaining ongoing contact with the individual, family, or other support members.
Interviews and conducts biopsychosocial assessments (BPSAs) in various domains of life.
Meets with individuals at a minimum of once per week in-person; additional contact will be based on severity of need.
Provides assistance in re-establishing or developing skills, such as life skills (hygiene, cleaning, budgeting, etc.) as well as directly assisting in completing those tasks.

Communicates with employers, property owners, pharmacies, physicians, and others as needed to verify information; will accompany clients to appointments and will assist client in developing communication skills.
Determines eligibility for all financial and support services that can assist client in meeting stabilization plan.

Records all contacts, requests for assistance, dispositions, and referrals directly into the various case management systems, including extensive detailed data and case notes.
Participates in interdisciplinary teams that address both system and client specific situations, in an effort to provide holistic approaches to stabilization.

Continuously reviews federal, state, and local regulations on social services benefits administration.

Provides housing placement assistance, inclusive of identifying leads, accompanying clients to potential rental units for application process, and advocating for client with landlords.
Conducts physical housing inspections using the Housing Habitability Standards.
Provides mediation between client and landlord when issues arise that may cause concern leading to eviction.

Assesses and completes SOAR disability process for clients not currently receiving benefits; will also assist with reestablishing and recertifying disability benefits.

Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.

NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

Considerable knowledge of current principles and practices of social services and established casework methods/techniques.
Considerable knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations relating to operations of community social service agencies.
Knowledge of the various services provided by community agencies for clients.
Strong interpersonal skills that result in effective relationships with clients, their relatives, and other persons.
High attention to detail abilities, as there is a significant amount of paperwork both paper and electronic to process.
Ability to work effectively in chaotic, unstable environments.
Ability to be compassionate as well as firm in various situations.
Ability to demonstrate high-level customer service skills, understanding, and empathy.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, prepare reports, and maintain accurate records.
Ability to establish and maintain a good working relationship with colleagues, support staff, other County employees, community agencies, vendors, and the public.
Ability to efficiently and accurately input data into the computer systems.
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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, and hear. The employee is consistently required to reach and to be mobile.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
Must be able to drive locally and long distance with reasonable short-notice.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is moderately exposed to outdoor weather conditions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.