What are the responsibilities and job description for the Residential Case Specialist position at Fearless! Hudson Valley, Inc.?
Position Description:
WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO
WHAT IT TAKES TO SUCCEED IN THIS ROLE
Managing Priorities & Staying Grounded
BASE QUALIFICATIONS
ADDITIONAL VALUE:
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Additional Information:
WHAT YOU'LL DO
The Residential Case Specialist is primarily responsible for providing empathic, nonjudgmental support and direct case management services to victims/survivors of intersecting forms of violence and abuse through the agency's Residential Program and 24-hour hotline. They will assist clients in creating individualized goals and action plans and facilitate appropriate linkages with community agencies and service providers.
WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO
Founded in 1986, Fearless! Hudson Valley has evolved from a grassroots initiative into a leading organization supporting survivors and advancing systemic change across Orange and Sullivan Counties, NY. Our work is grounded in building an informed, just, and accountable society where all people can experience safe, supportive relationships free from abuse, exploitation, and oppression. We advance this mission through education, prevention, advocacy, and comprehensive services—including shelter—for individuals impacted by interpersonal violence, human trafficking, sexual violence, and other forms of victimization.
WHAT IT TAKES TO SUCCEED IN THIS ROLE
This role operates in a fast-paced, crisis-oriented environment where competing demands are the norm. Success requires strong judgment, adaptability, and a grounded, client-centered approach. The following reflects how we work and the skills, attributes, and approaches that support success:
Managing Priorities & Staying Grounded
- Manage multiple responsibilities at once, follow through on commitments, and maintain attention to detail—even when priorities shift quickly.
- Remain focused and effective in high-pressure or crisis situations.
Mission Alignment & Commitment to the Work
- Approach your work through a mission-driven lens, aligning with our commitment to advocacy, empowerment, and social change.
- Actively engage in work that challenges systems of oppression and advances equity.
Client-Centered & Culturally Responsive Practice
- Lead with empathy and respect, prioritizing the autonomy, dignity, and needs of clients.
- Engage effectively across diverse backgrounds, applying culturally responsive and inclusive practices.
- Identify barriers to service and take initiative to problem-solve in support of client access and success.
Collaboration & Communication
- Build and maintain strong, respectful relationships with colleagues, clients, and community partners.
- Communicate clearly and thoughtfully, listen actively, and adapt your approach to different audiences and situations.
Judgment, Accountability & Professional Boundaries
- Exercise sound judgment and make timely, well-reasoned decisions, especially in crisis situations.
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and demonstrate integrity and accountability in your work.
Adaptability & Continuous Growth
- Demonstrate flexibility and resilience, adjusting to changing priorities while staying aligned with the mission.
- Seek out opportunities for learning, reflection, and professional growth to strengthen your impact.
BASE QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Experience: A Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Human Services, or a related field, or equivalent work experience in providing Direct Crisis Counseling and Advocacy Services.
Technical Skills: Must be knowledgeable in Microsoft Office programs and have experience with client management software
License & Transportation: Valid Driver's License, Auto Insurance, and reliable transportation to travel between the agency's office sites and other locations throughout the service region.
Physical Demands: Physical demands include but are not limited to long periods of sitting, standing, walking, driving, lifting up to 50 pounds, and navigating stairs.
ADDITIONAL VALUE:
- Demonstrated ability to navigate and connect across diverse cultural contexts, applying cultural awareness and responsiveness in practice.
- Direct experience working within residential settings, social services, and community-based agencies is preferred.
- Spanish language fluency with demonstrated ability to provide translation support, including experience providing written and/or verbal translation with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and cultural context.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Advocacy & Case Management Specific Responsibilities
- Provide culturally informed, trauma-responsive crisis intervention and nonjudgmental, supportive hotline counseling, assessments, shelter screenings, and intake interviews for hotline callers and adult and youth clients within the Shelter.
- Proactively provide comprehensive services to clients, including, but not limited to:
o Individual and group supportive counseling;
o Advocacy and accompaniment, including assistance in preparing court documents, accessing support and services through other agencies, and transportation;
o Safety planning and risk assessment;
o Follow-up contact, as safe and appropriate, and outreach;
o Information and referrals to outside agencies and providers (i.e., legal, housing, transportation, and economic options).
- Meet with each adult client residing in the Shelter within one week of entrance and weekly thereafter to provide comprehensive services, including assessment of needs.
- Partner with clients to formulate goals and action plans to support the client's attainment of set goals. Revisit the action plan frequently to recalibrate as the client's needs change.
- Guide clients in exploring options regarding the legal system, housing, and economic/financial options, and provide advocacy with community agencies, including DSS, medical providers, courts, counseling agencies, housing agencies, Social Security, etc.
- Proactively facilitate supporting clients to necessary linkages to other services and agencies in the community.
- As appropriate and necessary, facilitate the DSS application, enrollment, and follow-up process for each client (to ensure timely application and receipt of client benefits and shelter reimbursement).
- Facilitate weekly support group(s) for adult clients, as scheduled.
- Encourage, model, and teach healthy expression of emotions and feelings, nonviolent conflict resolution, and discipline.
- As scheduled, facilitate weekly support group(s) for adult and youth clients.
- Provide clients with information regarding the NYS Office of Victims Services, assist with filing applications for OVS compensation, and serve as a liaison between clients and OVS.
Administrative & Agency Responsibilities
- Attend and actively participate in supervision with the Program Manager, program-specific and agency-wide meetings, training, awareness month activities, and agency events.
- Maintain the confidentiality of clients, staff, volunteers, and agency information. Exceptions include information pertaining to child abuse, danger to self or others, or in response to an authorized release of information.
- Maintain the highest levels of accuracy in recordkeeping and reporting, ensuring that all client records and documentation of work activities are complete and up-to-date and submitted to the supervisor, as directed.
- Adhere to agency policies and protocols related to the security of electronic client service records and operational responsibilities.
- Ensure timely response and follow-up to email communication and voicemail messages.
- Staff members are encouraged to be flexible and responsive to changes in the scope of duties, including other duties as assigned by immediate and other supervisors.
Safety & Hygiene
- Actively engaging in basic housekeeping, maintenance, organization of donations, and other assigned tasks.
- Proactively monitor the overall condition of the agency and ensure the maintenance of a clean, welcoming environment for individuals accessing services.
- Attend to overall facility maintenance and repairs.
- Adhere to and uphold agency policies and protocols related to clients' physical safety and the safety of electronic client service records.
Additional Information:
POSITION COMPENSATION, CLASS, AND SCHEDULE
Position Title: Residential Case Specialist Reports To: Director of Residential Services
Classification/Status: Full-Time, Non-exempt Pay Rate: Hourly Rate Range $24.03- $25.48
Primary Worksite: Confidential Address, Orange County, NY
Work Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, with flexibility around evenings, weekends, and holidays; primarily business hours with some evening shifts required; minimum one holiday per year required. Staff are not permitted to leave until relieved by another staff member.
Travel Requirements: Travel required between the agency's office sites and other locations throughout the service region.
Salary : $24 - $25