Rental Assistance Program (RAP) Case Manager (Bilingual Required - English/Spanish)

Job Announcement:

Position: ** Rental Assistance Program (RAP) Case Manager (Bilingual Required - English/Spanish)

Program: ** CAB Homelessness Prevention & Interventions Services (HPIS) Department – Rental Assistance Program

Location: ** Office located in Watsonville, CA, and will provide services/attend meetings throughout Santa Cruz County.

Hours: ** 40 hours per week, may include occasional evenings or weekends

Salary: ** $25-27 / per hour

Benefits: Medical (employee share of cost depending on plan selected), vision, life, dental (employee pays half of dental) insurance, Retirement plan (401K plan after six months), 24 days annual leave to start, and 13 paid holidays per year.

Reports to: RAP/SCHP Program Coordinator.

To Apply: Submit resume and cover letter to HR@cabinc.org

Note: ** Selected applicants must be available to complete employment an application in person before receiving an invitation to an interview.

Overview: The Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, Inc. (CAB) has been the County’s designated Community Action Agency since 1965, with the mission to eliminate poverty and create social change through advocacy and essential services. CAB does so through the 4 program pillars of community building, employment, immigration and homelessness prevention and intervention services that serve over 10,000 people per year, with a staff of over 50 employees. CAB’s Homelessness Prevention & Intervention Services (HPIS) Department programs are a core component of The Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, Inc. and includes the Youth Homeless Response Team (YHRT), Transitional Age Youth Housing Navigation (TAY NAV), Watsonville Works! (WWks!), South County Coordinated Entry System (CES) Connector(s) and the Rental Assistance Program along with the South County Homelessness Prevention Program (SCHP) provide rental assistance to prevent eviction and homelessness, along with case management and financial literacy/capability support to ensure long term housing stability for low-income families, seniors and those with disabilities.

Duties & Responsibilities Summary:

The Rental Assistance Program works with low-income families, seniors and those with disabilities in Santa Cruz County. Using a Housing First, low barrier approach, the Rental Assistance Case Manager conducts outreach and determines income and other eligibility criteria, processes rental assistance applications and intake documents, interacts with clients and landlords. The Case Manager offers and provides basic case management and financial literacy support to support long-term housing stability for clients. The Case Manager is responsible for entering client data to ensure program and contract reporting and compliance requirements are met. The program leads the South County Homelessness Prevention (SCHP) Collaborative, a network of housing, education, and legal services providers led by CAB—that assesses, prioritizes, and connects unhoused or housing-vulnerable households in South Santa Cruz County to evidence-based services and referrals that lead to positive, stable outcomes.

Duties Include:

• Providing office support and outreach support, assessing varying client populations for eligibility according to program guidelines for the Rent Assistance to avoid eviction, applying casework skills to identify clients’ strengths and needs, gathering information and managing assigned caseloads.
• Assist clients by providing information and referrals and developing housing and financial stability plans according to client choice.
• Joining reoccurring meetings and collaborating with SCHP partner agencies to coordinate client services.
• Provide health, Medi-Cal and CalFresh, information, referral, eligibility, and access assistance as needed by participants.
• Provide culturally appropriate services.
• Communicate effectively in both written and oral form (Spanish/English).
• Support the goals and standards of CAB and the Rental Assistance Program.
• Ability to offer trauma-informed care.
• Gather statistical information for reporting purposes.
• Perform data entry including the County’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) data entry requirements.
• Participate in meetings and outreach events/activities as needed and assigned.
• Collaborate with partners for referrals and service coordination.
• Maintain accurate financial and program records using Microsoft Excel, HMIS, Teams, Word etc.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bilingual and biliterate (Spanish/English) REQUIRED.
• One year eligibility/case management experience (paid or volunteer) REQUIRED.
• Human/Social Services Coursework, A.A. or B.A. in Social Work or related field or equivalent experience preferred.
• Basic math and map reading skills and the ability to keep accurate records REQUIRED.
• Culturally competent and interested in working with diverse vulnerably housed persons.
• Commitment to non-judgmental, housing first service provision and empowering client choice.
• Strong initiative and willingness to pitch in as needed, Outstanding follow-through with tasks.
• Proficient computer skills (MS Office Suite and Outlook) REQUIRED.
• Ability to handle sensitive information in a confidential manner.
• Valid California driver license with an excellent driving record and an insured vehicle.
• Ability to sit, stand, bend, reach and routinely safely lift up to 25 pounds.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with HMIS.
• Some lived experience and/or training in motivational interviewing and trauma informed care preferred.
• Experience working with farm workers and/low-income persons.
• Knowledge and familiarity with the Santa Cruz County network of health, social service and related agencies.
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment, ability to engage in multiple concurrent projects.
• Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 upon hire, preferred.

The hired candidate will adhere to CAB’s standard of upholding the agency’s mission, values and code of ethics through a commitment to confidentiality and communication.

This position is categorically funded by grants. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition (cancer related), marital status, sex, sexual orientation, age (over 18), veteran status, gender, gender expression, pregnancy, or any other non-merit factor unrelated to job duties. AA/EOE

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $25.00 - $27.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $25 - $27