Description

VOA’s Hope House Case Managers work within a multidisciplinary team that provides community based, whole person care to our community’s most vulnerable people. Teams work to support individuals that have a lengthy history of inequities and disparities; including but not limited to: homelessness, economic instability, tri-morbidity, high rates of chronic health and mental health conditions and complex trauma. As participants transition to the safety of their own home, they are provided individualized support and services to assist them in learning or re-learning skills necessary to sustain stable housing and achieve their life goals.

The HHES Case Manager supports our mission of assisting women experiencing homelessness to independence by providing direct service and referrals in order to help women adapt to housing, living independently, program policies, and the rights and responsibilities of a tenant in Washington State. HHES Case Manager is responsible for utilizing all aspects of Housing First, Harm Reduction, Person-centered case management, and Strengths Perspective. This position is responsible for providing holistic, individualized and comprehensive case management services to shelter guests including: intake assessment, benefit assessment, goal setting, long-term plan development, monthly case planning, monitoring progress, tenant education, advocacy and referrals.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:

The Hope House Case Manager is a full-time position with 40 work hours per week. A typical schedule is Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm, although schedules may vary and at times offer flexibility to support the needs of clients or employees. This position may require participation in a rotating on-call schedule.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each of the essential duties/responsibilities listed below. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties/responsibilities of this job. The essential functions of the position include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assist leadership in facilitating case management intakes and exits for HHES shelter guests, including locating resources, providing referrals, and problem solving.
• Cultivate relationships with landlords. 
• Assist guests with obtaining housing subsidies. 
• Maintain a case load of HHES program participants and provide case management to these participants according to HHES requirements. 
• Maintain consistent in-person meetings, providing support and services related to service plan goals. 
• Maintain appropriate boundaries with clients and staff according to VOA and HHES program requirements. 
• Respond to emerging needs and crises. 
•  Use creativity and innovation in program development and service delivery. 
• Provide assistance navigating housing, justice, health care and behavioral health systems. 
• Serve as a connection to a wide range of community-based services, including employment and education opportunities at VOA and within the community. 
• Provide housing crisis mitigation and connection to long-term housing. 
• Participate in collaborative meetings and work in collaboration with community partners 
• Remain in compliance with contract requirements. 
• Meet program requirements for billable client services. 
• Participate in required staff meetings including regular supervision 
• Follow guidelines and documentation requirements. 
• Maintain clear, professional, and timely participant contact notes, service plans, progress updates, statistical records, and other documentation according to all confidentiality laws and guidelines. 
• Enter and maintain accurate and timely program statistical data to meet reporting requirements. Generate reports monthly, quarterly and annually for leadership and funders. 
• Ensure all client-related data is both current and accurate as well as safeguarded in VOA Electronic Records. 
• Willing to participate/complete the Community Health Worker training and become agency affiliated. 

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performs other related duties as required or assigned. 
• Employee must transport self in personal vehicle and may transport participants at Case Manager's discretion. 
• Travel as required. Travel is primarily local and during the business day; although very occasional out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be expected. 
• This role has no supervisory responsibilities. 

Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must meet the minimum qualifications listed below. These qualifications are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required to perform this job.

Required Education and/or Experience: To perform this job successfully, an individual must have: 

• Bachelor’s degree in a social science or related field, OR
• Equivalent combination of education and experience (e.g. Associate’s degree in a social science or related field AND 2 years of relevant experience, etc.) OR 
• At least 4 years of relevant experience with adult disadvantaged populations, including but not limited to individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, active substance use and mental health conditions. 

Certificates and/or Licenses: To perform this job successfully, an individual must: 

• Be eligible to be licensed as Agency Affiliated Counselor (AAC) and apply for credential within 30 days of hire 
• Become CPR/First Aid/BBP Certified within 6 months of employment 
• Have a valid Driver’s License 
• Have the ability to maintain Auto Liability Insurance 
• Have reliable transportation 
• Successfully pass a Comprehensive Criminal History Background Check and Driving Record Review 

Preferred Education and/or Experience: 

• Bachelor's degree in a social science or related field, OR 
• Equivalent combination of education and experience (e.g. Associate’s degree in a social science or related field AND 2 years of relevant experience, etc.) OR 
• At least 4 years of relevant experience with adult disadvantaged populations, including but not limited to individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, active substance use and mental health conditions. 
• Experience with the following populations and systems of care: 
• People who have experienced: homelessness, sexual exploitation, child abuse/neglect, involvement with the legal system, domestic violence, substance misuse, mental health symptoms and family dynamics. 
• Experience networking and advocating with other agencies on behalf of participants to access housing, medical, financial, legal, education and other resources. 

Bona Fide Occupational Requirements 

• Due to required hours of operation, must be at least 18 years of age.

Skills, Abilities, and Competencies: 

• Maintain and enhance collaborative partnerships and customer service to ensure that participants, coworkers and community partners have a positive experience of VOA. 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; including demonstrated strong interpersonal skills. 
• High professional standards regarding confidentiality. 
• Ability to multi-task and work in a high volume, fast-paced environment, balancing changing priorities. 
• Critical thinking and problem solving skills to determine the best level of response, intervention and support. 
• Proven ability for attention to detail and strong analytical and organizational skills. 
• Ability to interact effectively with employees and managers from diverse socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds. 
• Excellent public speaking skills for large and small groups. 
• Knowledge of Medicaid and/or Medicare and/or Medicare enrollment services and process. 
• Proficiency in word processing applications and associated software such as Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Suite 
• Proficient reporting skills including auditing data and processes regularly to produce reports and/or communications to applicable stakeholders. 
• Ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with others inside or outside the organization who can provide information, assistance, and support.
• Openness to different and new ways of doing things; willingness to modify one’s preferred way of doing things. 
• Ability to manage multiple projects with demanding and competing deadlines. 
• Ability to maintain a quality workplace in a diverse, fast paced, stressful and changing environment. 
• Ability to integrate core values, integrity and accountability throughout all practices.

Physical Requirements: 

In order to meet all expectations of this position, an individual must be able to: 

• Regularly: Operate a computer with keyboard and mouse, as well as other office equipment, such as printers, copy machines, telephones, etc. Ascend and descend stairs when accompanying participants to various appointments and providing case management services within participants' homes in the community. Perceive text and buttons on the computer screen and discern print and handwriting on paper forms. 
• Frequently remain in a stationary position (such as sitting or standing) and to move about inside and outside of the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Occasionally lift and/or move client possessions, small to medium objects in the office, and/or cleaning supplies (up to 50 pounds). 

Work Conditions: 

While performing the essential duties/responsibilities of this job, the employee may experience the following environmental conditions at the frequency indicated: 

• Noise Conditions: This job operates in an office environment and frequently outreaches to client residences or community partners. 
• Heat/Cold: May be subject to heat, cold, wet, and/or humid weather conditions, and occasionally extreme heat and/or cold. 
• Injury Exposure: Position requires working with standard office equipment – copy machine, computers, and phones. 
• Atmospheric Exposures: May be exposed to various scents and perfumes, less than sanitary or uncomfortable conditions, various pests and pathogens, participants’ service and emotional support animals, as well as clients in physical, mental or emotional distress.