What are the responsibilities and job description for the Disaster Case Manager/Housing Counselor position at The Carolyn E. Wylie Center?
Company Description
The Carolyn E. Wylie Center for Children, Youth, & Families is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving children and families throughout Southern California. The center offers a variety of services for families, supporting early childhood development, therapy, and adolescent programs. Key programs include disaster case management, housing counseling, mental health therapy, early intervention, therapeutic preschool, counseling, behavioral support, and specialized services such as Autism program using ABA. Adolescent outpatient counseling and family support services target holistic well-being, with additional resources provided, including parenting programs and a food bank. The center is dedicated to empowering families through education, resource access, and developmental support.
Role Description
The Carolyn E. Wylie Center is seeking a Full Time Disaster Case Manager/Housing Counselor. This position provides direct case management services to disaster survivors and their families through advocacy, information and referral, crisis intervention services, and recovery services.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following.
● Maintain absolute confidentiality on all client/survivor information.
● Conduct thorough needs assessment and develop a recovery plan/action plan to address identified disaster related un-met needs.
● Attend regular sessions with immediate Manager/Director.
● Attend Agency’s in service training and unit meetings as well as any other agency-related activities.
● Develop a relationship with client families to provide the best advocacy and direction to these families to ensure their reaching self-sufficiency.
● Assist the survivor to determine the best course of action for both short- and long-term recovery.
● Develop, implement, and monitor recovery plans with disaster survivors and their families to return at a minimum to pre-disaster level of well-being.
● Provide extensive and intensive case management and follow-up services.
● Provide highly skilled and culturally sensitive services to diverse populations.
● Provide crisis intervention to individuals and families facing emergencies around food, shelter, medical, re-construction and other needs as presented by the clients.
● Identify, utilize and assist survivors with resources available at all levels of government (federal, state and local), as well as community resources to make appropriate referrals to resolve identified issues.
● Advocate and interact with other service providers on behalf of participants.
● Conduct home visits, as necessary.
● Ensure case files are complete and present case files to Program Manager for review.
● Maintain current and accurate documentation of services provided to clients.
● Ensure all client data is current in web-based disaster case management database(s).
● Report gaps in services to Case Management Program Manager.
● Other duties as assigned.
Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:
This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are flexible, but generally 8:00AM to 5:00PM Monday-Friday. Additional hours may be required to meet program deadlines or DCM training needs.
Working conditions and physical demands r>equired:
The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
● Position may entail working remotely.
● Ability to operate standard office equipment i.e. computer, cell phone, printer, scanner, etc.
● Ability to use and respond to emails and phone calls as necessary.
● Ability to sit and use the computer for long periods of time.
● Applicant should be able to demonstrate statements made during the interview process.
● Be capable of comprehending, executing, acting, and directing independently.
● Able to communicate effectively in oral and written form in English; bilingual skills are a plus.
● Able to discern priorities and manage timelines.
● Ability to write clear and concise reports.
● Must be proficient in Microsoft Office, specifically Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
● Ability to communicate and work efficiently and effectively with team members, community organizations, and the public.
● Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills and customer service skills.
● Must possess a high degree of initiative and self-motivation.
● Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment when making decisions within the framework of corporate policy, seeking consultation as needed.
● Ability to compose specialized or sensitive correspondence and reports.
● Ability to edit documents for grammar, punctuation, etc.
● Ability to understand, anticipate, prioritize, and follow through on responsibilities with a high degree of initiative.
● Effective positive human relations skills including tact, diplomacy and ability work with all levels of leadership and staff.
● Effective communications skills to solve problems and deal with a variety of concrete and abstract variables in situations where creative solutions are required.
● Ability to independently research, compile and organize confidential information proficiently and accurately, with minimal rework.
● Ability to develop, manage, and maintain client data in multiple database systems.
● Ability to develop reports and other housing industry materials as may be directed.
● Follow up each case to appropriate and outlined outcome.
● Follow direction of Program Manager and/or Programs Director.
● Foster and maintain relationships with industry agents to build agency networks which promote the program’s mission.
● Travel to areas outside of office for additional training, education, or presentations (proof of current auto insurance required)
● Periodic evening or weekend work necessary.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
None
Education and/or experience required:
● Bachelor’s Degree preferred, with at least three years of progressive work experience in a closely related field (e.g. Social Work, Community Outreach and Advocacy, In-depth Customer Service) or Associates with five years’ experience in related field.
Skills, Licenses, and/or competencies required:
● Current HUD Certification strongly preferred or ability to become HUD certified within 6 months of employment.
● Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
● Ability to work as a positive, enthusiastic member of a team.
● Substantial computers experience necessary.
● Excellent organizational skills, ability to reliably meet all deadlines, and be transparent with management about all ongoing cases or issues.
● Ability to use de-escalation techniques and trauma informed care to work with individuals and families that may be experiencing a crisis.
● Knowledge and/or familiarity of harm reduction and motivational interviewing concepts and strategies.
● Previous experience assessing and referring individuals to various community resources, a plus.
● Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred but not required.