What are the responsibilities and job description for the Housing Solutions Case Manager - Scattered Sites position at MERCY HOUSE?
Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Payrate: $23.00-$24.00/hour
Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., with crisis availability as needed
Mission Statement: "To be a leader in ending homelessness by providing a unique system of dignified housing opportunities, programs, and supportive services."
Benefits Offered:
- 100% medical coverage of base tier monthly premium
- Voluntary dental and vision insurance
- Paid Time Off (Vacation Sick Pay)
- Flexible Spending Account
- Employee Assistance Program
- 403(b) savings plan with up to 3% company matching
- Paid on-the-job training and orientation
- Mileage reimbursement
- Referral bonus program
- Opportunities for career growth
Job Summary: The Housing Solutions Case Manager is responsible for ongoing needs assessment, personal housing/emergency plans, implementation, support, information, referrals, and advocacy for individuals who are in the Mercy House Permanent Supportive Housing Program. This position requires successful working relationships with residents that support their ability to increase their self-reliance. This position will influence and recognize positive behavior changes and will identify problems and obstacles that threaten to undermine residents’ self-reliance and housing stability. Keeping clear and accurate files and records is essential to this position. This position will ensure that the team is practicing trauma informed and client focused strategies.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Client/Service Delivery
- Maintain a minimum caseload of 17-25 individuals and meet at least twice a month with residents in the shelters, out in the community, and in their homes to develop emergency plans and individual housing supporting plans based upon the housing assessment that identified barriers, including short- and long-term measurable goals
- Utilize harm reduction interventions and methodologies to provide client-centered services to keep them in housing
- Utilize skills regarding crisis prevention and intervention
- Practice Trauma Informed Care and Motivational Interviewing techniques
- Assist residents to build upon their strengths and recognize their needs in a respectful manner
- Conduct health, safety visits and inspect resident apartments to ensure that they are properly maintained by completing habitability inspections with Leasing Agents
- Be knowledgeable of community resources and refer clients as needed
- Organize and facilitate social and recreational activities designed to promote community involvement and peer support
- Work with volunteers and community resources to assure that residents are linked with services such as employment, education, tutoring and/or mentoring as appropriate
- Attend trainings that increase knowledge of effectively meeting clients’ needs (including co-occurring disorders, harm reduction, and cultural competence)
- Facilitate relationship building between landlords/caretakers and clients
- To participate in the emergency on call schedule to ensure clients’ needs are met and must be available
- Work collaboratively with other community support providers, outreach teams, Housing Authorities (Housing Specialists), Social Workers, Leasing Team, Landlords
Team/Staff Relations
- Work as a Mercy House team member with all staff and volunteers in order to implement the mission and core values of the agency
- Attend regular internal and external agency meetings
- Work as part of team to plan and develop resident programs
- Work in team environment, fast passed environment, be flexible, be able to adapt to sudden changes, be trustworthy, be reliable, be empathetic
- Communicate effectively with diverse population
Administration
- Keep accurate, up to date documentation on all clients, including but not limited to individual housing plans, emergency plans, case notes, case file, assessments, call logs, Housing Authority (application and recertifications)
- Complete all paperwork in a timely and accurate manner that ensures payment to the agency from various sources
- Assist with all data collection systems
- Assure deadlines are met
- Willingness to gain knowledge and understanding of Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services and Substance Abuse Treatments
- Utilize computers and appropriate software (e.g. Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, Power Point) and/or specific systems applicable to position
- Responding to calls and emails in a timely manner
- Perform tasks independently and prioritize workload
Knowledge of:
- Confidentiality and the legal and ethical issues pertaining to case management
- Effective documentation and guidelines
Requirements:
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree, Social Work (or related field) with experience working in chemical health, mental health, co-occurring disorders is preferred
- Persons with less than a BA/BS degree but with at least 2 years of direct life experience working with long-term homeless, low income, and diverse populations and have a working knowledge of mental health and additions issues are welcome to apply
General
- A valid CA driver’s license, proof of insurance, and a reliable vehicle are required. Must be comfortable utilizing your own vehicle to conduct home visits, visit clients at shelters, meet clients out in the community, etc.
- Ability to work effectively with a diverse population; plan, organize and prioritize duties; speak effectively before small groups; perform crisis intervention as needed; clearly communicate information and instructions verbally and in written form; maintain a positive, professional and safe environment while on duty; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
- Dependability, responsibility and the ability to communicate effectively and respectfully are required skills
- Desired skills include organizational skills, strong written and verbal communication skills, strong creative thinking skills, attentiveness to details and being customer oriented
- Fluency in Spanish is of significant value
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
Salary : $23 - $24