JOB TITLE: Case Manager
DEPARTMENT: Housing Department
REPORTS TO:Housing Manager
DATE: August 1, 2011
REVISED: 4/4/2019, 6/30/2023 (formerly Housing Specialist)
STATUS: Non-Exempt
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DIRECT REPORTS: None
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BASIC PURPOSE:
The Case Manager is responsible for supporting individuals and families who are unhoused, experiencing a housing crisis, or living in permanent housing by providing case management services focused on housing stability and placement, with an emphasis on the arrangement, coordination, monitoring and delivery of services related to housing needs and improving housing stability.
The case manager will enroll program participants via the community’s Coordinated Entry System (CES) to ensure a coordinated community response that addresses the needs of those who are homeless or at serious risk of homelessness. A primary focus of this position will be developing and maintaining successful partnerships with area landlords and program partners to assist households in achieving their goals.
Additional duties include providing information and referral for requested resources, housing solutions, crisis intervention, development of housing plans, landlord mediation and negotiation, coordinating and linking of housing services and program enrollment. Every effort will be made to divert an individual or family from going into the emergency shelter system.
As part of the menu of housing stabilization services, the Case Manager will coordinate temporary and permanent rental subsidy/voucher management along with the execution and coordination of all agency unit inspections.
HRI staff will promote homeless prevention and rapid re-housing strategies and action plans consistent with a “Housing First” philosophy and actively embrace strength-based case management practices.
These functions are to be accomplished within the framework of established policies and procedures, under the overall direction of the Director of Program and Services.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
- Assess client needs and develop individualized housing and success plans.
- Meet with clients as required and assigned according to policy at the client’s home or location of choice in the community to review their housing plan, needs, progress and determine actions needed to resolve any barriers being faced.
- Work with clients in the community for the majority of scheduled work hours meeting with clients at least once per month or more often as determined by case conferences and client requests.
- Participate in case conferences and team meetings.
- Provide overall implementation of case management services. Acts as the agency expert regarding all issues related to landlord relations and property concerns. Implement and coordinate a menu of housing services including program guidelines, audit requirements and best practices.
- Develop and foster landlord relationships including marketing the HRI programs and services, facilitating smooth working relations between landlords and tenants, providing conflict resolution services for complaints and lease violations from participating landlords, agencies and/or program participants to prevent evictions.
- Assess clients’ housing options and on-going situations and make recommendations for goals, services needed and/or referrals needed.
- Provide direct service assistance for all case management activities ensuring shelter diversion or smooth transition from emergency shelter to affordable housing.
- Calculate and monitor rent determination in addition to assisting rent burdened families/individuals by negotiating lease addendums to adjust rental costs based on household affordability through all program areas.
- Responsible for conducting and/or coordinating required unit inspections.
- Provide housing information and referral of community resources to the public to enable independent problem solving and support housing stability; present information in group sessions; respond to agency staff calls; on-going assessment and screening for placement or exit of HRI programs.
- Maintain an active knowledge of all HRI programs, including eligibility requirements and services available. Act as liaison between HRI and landlords throughout Kalamazoo County. Partner with Kalamazoo county organizations including human service providers and rental property owners to provide a collaborative effort for referral and supportive services.
- Acts as HRI agency expert on tenant/landlord rights and responsibilities, acting as a negotiator/mediator as necessary to facilitate positive relationships. In addition, acts as the Agency’s Fair Housing representative.
- Maintain accurately and timely documentation and records, assist with data collection as necessary for reporting and program development, survey tenants and landlords for program satisfaction/compliance and to evaluate/improve services provided
- Participate in the development and evaluation of services provided by HRI and meet and maintain all contract outcomes/expectations.
- n the event of staff absences (i.e. paid time off, medical leaves of absence), will perform additional responsibilities as necessary to meet department and/or organizational outcomes and objectives.
Execute cross-training/back-up processes to meet on-going direct client services to accomplish the organization’s mission.
Infuses pride in organizational values and mission by acting with integrity, honesty, and knowledge that promotes culture and mission.
Performs other duties as assigned.
POSITION SPECIFICATIONS/SCOPE:
MINIMUM EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
High School Diploma required. Bachelor's degree in social work or related field preferred.
and
Minimum of 2 years of experience in case management required. Lived experience preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Knowledge of community resources and services
- Strong organizational skills
- Proficient in Microsoft office and data entry computer skills
- Demonstrated positive customer service.
- Ability to coordinate the activities of others.
- Must communicate in large groups and with formal writing techniques.
- Demonstrated experience working with a diverse group of individuals.
- Must maintain confidentiality.
- Possess a compassionate and professional manner.
- Professional work and punctuality habits
- Maintain a valid driver license with own personal and reliable transportation
- This position requires the case manager to meet with clients in the community most of their scheduled work hours by driving their own vehicle. The county’s public transit system schedule does not support the timeliness of the work to be completed in the community. Therefore, personal reliable transportation is a requirement of this position.
Case management services are community based with case managers working primarily in the community visiting clients in their homes, mutually agreed upon locations and days/times and/or community settings. When not working with clients in the community, case managers will work from the office. Remote work is not offered for this position.