Bilingual in English/Spanish Required - Additional $1.00 per Hour (Must Pass Agency Bilingual Test)

The Case Manager I, Financial Stability (Bilingual) maintains cases for families and individuals who are in need of support to find, secure, or maintain permanent affordable housing or who require support with financial education and resources. Families and individuals are identified and referred through outreach, walk-ins, internal referrals, and external referrals. The Case Manager I, Financial Stability (Bilingual) focuses on developing solutions and providing support with Housing Affordability, Financial Management, Fair Housing Education, Credit Counseling, and other financial stability services.

 The Case Manager I, Financial Stability (Bilingual) performs direct client service and compiles related documentation needed to meet agency standards as well as maintains professional relationships and communicates effectively through shared tools provided by the agency. The duties for this position include orienting all eligible participants to the program, performing administrative tasks involved in the review and maintenance of program caseloads and linking families with appropriate referrals for continued services.

 Essential Functions

1. Develop a housing procurement, financial, and self-sufficiency case management plan with clients that includes an intake interview to determine client’s needs, goals, and eligibility.
2. Provide information to clients including, but not limited to, bankruptcy support, collection action, credit education, credit reports, housing issues, consumer protection laws, student loans, wage attachments, banking services, budgeting, credit report ratings, financial resources, and protection laws, etc. while providing answers to clients’ questions.
3. Provide mediation and advocacy with landlords on the client’s behalf to develop a workable plan to obtain and/or maintain housing.
4. Assist participants in locating, securing, or maintaining housing of their choice; create and maintain consistent communication channels, both verbal and written, between several parties (i.e., tenant, landlord, referral source, collaborating agencies, debtors, and creditors).
5. Serve as an ongoing liaison between property managers and participants as well as between participants and neighbors including other resource providers and organizations; collaborates with service providers, governmental and non-governmental agencies, and other organizations and businesses to coordinate services for clients; must travel to provide face-toface services to clients as needed.
6. Maintain the highest levels of confidentiality regarding client information, sharing it only as agreed upon by the client and as evidenced by a signed release form.
7. Provide information and referral assistance regarding available support from appropriate social service agencies and/or community programs.
8. Assist in development of, and encourages adherence to, a personal budget through pro-active housing and budget counseling sessions; provide budget counseling and education to assist clients in establishing payment plans for bills and past debts and to assist clients in obtaining and maintaining their housing.
9. Assist participants in the development of a strength-based/solution-focused individualized goal and action plan that promotes permanent housing and self-sufficiency.
10. Identify participant strengths and barriers to stability and assist participants in reducing barriers; link participants to resources and services.
11. Provide follow-up to ensure stability and further progress towards self-sufficiency, including support, advocacy, listening, problem-solving, and identification of resources to assist with reintegration of participants in the community.
12. Applies knowledge of residential lease contracts to educate clients of their rights and responsibilities as tenants.
13. Collect and maintain accurate program data, client summaries, and records in Datalink and other programs that may be used for monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting.
14. Support the Mission, Vision, and Values of Catholic Charities in the performance of all essential job functions and responsibilities.

Note: Catholic Charities considers this position to be a mandated reporter of child abuse and elder abuse.

Other Responsibilities

1. Work with the Diocese of Santa Rosa and local parishes as appropriate and requested.
2. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Agency Culture

It is essential that all employees of Catholic Charities aspire to the following:

• A commitment to the agency’s mission, vision, and values.
• A commitment to excellence in everything we do.
• A commitment to performance and quality improvement.
• A commitment to outcomes and measured results.
• A commitment to innovation and to what is possible.

Education, Experience, and Skills Required

1. High School diploma or High School Equivalency (HSE) is required. Associates degree or bachelor’s degree preferred; one- or two-years’ experience and/or training supporting marginalized populations, preferred; equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute for degree.
2. Bilingual (English/Spanish), passing score on the Catholic Charities’ test of oral and written Spanish fluency required.
3. Ability to engage with and educate clients of diverse backgrounds in an interactive and culturally sensitive manner; knowledge and familiarity with harm reduction, motivational interviewing and de-escalation techniques.
4. Cooperative, friendly, and helpful attitude with clients and co-workers; understanding of people from diverse cultures and value systems; prior experience and understanding of the causes of poverty and vulnerability.
5. Ability to work independently and possess strong time management skills as well as ability to work as part of a team.
6. Computer literacy required, including experience with Microsoft 365 suite; familiarity with internet-based tools such as webmail, Google calendar, Webtime, Zoom, and Teams preferred.
7. Passion and enthusiasm for the mission of Catholic Charities and its clients.
8. Valid driver license and at least state required minimum of automobile insurance, clear DMV driving record and ability to provide own transportation. Must be willing and able to travel between agency sites.
9. Must pass DOJ background clearance (fingerprinting) in accordance with the Diocese of Santa Rosa’s policies prior to start of employment.

Equal opportunity employer

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa is an Equal Opportunity Employer, seeking the best and brightest. Our organization does not discriminate against or harass any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, marital status, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or status with regard to public assistance. We support, educate, create opportunities for, and ensure the wellbeing of our staff for the betterment of those most in need.

CCDSR participates in E-Verify, an Internet-based system that compares information entered by an employer from an employee’s Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to records available to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to confirm employment eligibility.