Case Manager

Open Door Community Caseworker Job Description

Job Title: Caseworker

Organization: Open Door Community

Location: Southwest Virginia

Position Overview

The Caseworker at Open Door Community supports individuals and families through a holistic, clientcentered approach focused on housing stability, food security, access to services, and long-term selfsufficiency. Open Door Community describes its mission as breaking generational poverty through enhanced food security and housing affordability, and public descriptions of the organization emphasize a housing-first and zero-hunger approach.

This position assesses client needs, connects households to internal and external resources, administers program assistance, and helps clients create realistic goals and a path toward greater independence. The role requires strong judgment in matching client needs to eligible funding sources, program requirements, and available budget allocations.

Primary Duties

Conduct comprehensive client assessments to identify needs related to housing, food, healthcare, employment, education, transportation, and childcare.

Develop individualized service plans with clients that emphasize goal setting, stability, and measurable progress toward self-sufficiency.

Provide case management using a holistic approach that considers the full range of each client's needs within available funding and program guidelines.

Administer internal assistance programs, including emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, eviction prevention, utility assistance, and supportive service funding.

Connect clients to outside resources such as SNAP, Medicaid, and Mount Rogers Community

Services, which provides mental health, developmental disability, and substance use services in the region.

Make referrals to internal Open Door Community programs, including food services through the Open Door Cafe, Weatherization, VITA, and homeownership services. Open Door Cafe publicly states that it provides chef-prepared lunches regardless of patrons' ability to pay.

Maintain accurate case files, service plans, eligibility documentation, budget tracking, and program reporting.

Monitor client progress and adjust service plans as circumstances change.

Collaborate with community partners, landlords, healthcare providers, schools, and agencies to improve client outcomes.

Steward program funds responsibly by understanding eligibility rules, allowable uses, documentation standards, and the specific budget allocation attached to each funding source.

Program Administration Expectations

Caseworkers are expected to understand the purpose, limits, and eligible uses of the funding sources they administer. Public information about Virginia's VHSP identifies eligible activities such as emergency shelter operations, rapid re-housing, and homelessness prevention, which aligns with the housing stabilization work described for this position.

Each caseworker must track available balances, avoid overcommitting funds, and ensure that assistance decisions are documented clearly and consistently. The position also requires thoughtful referrals to internal and external resources so clients receive coordinated support rather than isolated short-term interventions.

Quick Reference

Category

Program or Resource

Purpose or Use

Emergency

Shelter

VHSP

Emergency shelter and housing crisis assistance; state guidance identifies shelter operations, rapid re-housing, and prevention as eligible activities.[cite:14]

Emergency

Shelter

Ballad Health funds

Emergency shelter support tied to approved internal use.

Emergency

Shelter

EHTF funds

Short-term emergency housing support tied to approved internal use.

Housing

Stability

Rapid Rehousing assistance

Helps clients secure and maintain permanent housing; rapid re-housing is listed as an eligible VHSP activity.[cite:141

Housing

Stability

Eviction Prevention

Assistance intended to prevent loss of housing; prevention is listed as an eligible

VHSP activity.[cite:14]

Utility

Assistance

Neighbor to

Neighbor

Utility support to help maintain basic household stability.

Family

Support

CSBG funds

Flexible support for needs such as work, education, and childcare.

Family

Support

TANF funds

Support for eligible families, including work-related and childcare assistance.

External

Referral

SNAP

Nutrition assistance through a public benefits program.

External

Referral

Medicaid

Health coverage for eligible individuals and families.

External

Referral

Mount Rogers CSB

Community-based mental health, substance use, and developmental services in the region.

Internal

Referral

Open Door Cafe

Food services; the cafe states it provides meals regardless of ability to pay.

Internal Referral

Weatherization

Home energy and housing quality improvements through internal programming.

Internal Referral

VITA

Tax preparation assistance through internal referral.

Internal

Referral

Homeownership

Pathways to homeownership through internal referral and support.

Core Competencies

Client-centered communication

Goal setting and action planning

Crisis response and problem solving

Resource coordination and referral management

Documentation and compliance

Budget awareness and responsible fund stewardship

Team collaboration and community partnership building

General Job Description

The Caseworker serves as a frontline support professional for Open Door Community clients by identifying barriers to stability and helping clients navigate the programs, benefits, and community relationships needed to overcome them. This role combines direct client service, program administration, resource referral, and careful stewardship of limited assistance funds in order to create meaningful, coordinated support plans.

Success in this position depends on the ability to build strong relationships with clients, understand the requirements of multiple funding sources, and connect people to the right mix of internal and external services. The Caseworker helps clients move beyond immediate crisis by supporting practical goals, encouraging accountability, and creating a path toward lasting self-sustainability.

Pay: $40,000.00 - $45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $40,000 - $45,000