Description

POSITION TITLE: Case Manager and Housing Specialist

DEPARTMENT: Shelters

REPORTS TO: Supervising Case Manager

FLSA: Full-time, Non-Exempt

BENEFITS: Alpha Project offers a generous benefits package, including 14 paid holidays, paid vacation, sick leave, and 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision premium, and group life insurance.

PAY RANGE: $22-$25 an hour, commensurate with experience

POSITION SUMMARY

The Case Manager and Housing Specialist are responsible for creating a positive and empathetic environment while assisting residents in accessing appropriate housing and services through one-on-one case management and coordination of services with partner agencies. The Case Manager and Housing Specialist develop individualized case plans that promote client progression towards securing housing, obtaining medical insurance, increasing income, and other needs to be self-sufficient and ultimately secure and maintain housing.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform intakes, interviews, and assessments and refers clients to appropriate community resources.
• Work with clients to identify and overcome barriers to securing housing and increasing income.
• Assist clients with obtaining and completing necessary documents to access housing, benefits, or increasing income.
• Support family stabilization.
• Maintain prompt documentation using HMIS, following agency and best standard practices.
• Assess the client's needs, and arrange, coordinate, monitor, evaluate, and advocate for a variety of services to meet those complex needs, including:
• Assist clients in identifying, enrolling, and attending medical, substance abuse, and therapeutic services.
• Document educational assurances and identify education resources.
• Connect clients with partner agencies and services.
• Assess clients for employment, social security, and disability eligibility.
• Assist clients in benefits enrollment.
• Assist in coordinating transportation for clients for necessary appointments.
• Assess and addresses housing barriers, including but not limited to assisting clients to acquire and submit necessary identification documentation, proof of homelessness, benefits statements, proof of identity, etc.
• Assist clients in accessing and securing permanent housing or other relevant longer-term housing.
• Meet with clients at least weekly to review, evaluate and support individualized housing, financial, and self-sufficiency action plans.
• Address unanticipated client needs/issues as they arise.
• Participate as a multi-disciplinary team member that reviews client cases and develops action plans that meet each client's individual needs.
• Maintain a safe and healthy work environment by adhering to organization standards and all applicable Federal, State, and local laws and

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Mandated Reporting.
• Participate in staff training, staff meetings, and development activities as directed.
• Perform other duties as directed by management.
• Assist with monitoring, caseload assignments, client interactions, interventions, and documentation.
• Assist with coordinating community based services, transportation, etc.

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands/conditions described below represent those that must be met/tolerated by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Sitting at a desk for sometimes long and continuous periods;
• Answering or making calls on the telephone for sometimes long and continuous periods;
• Using a keyboard to research and communicate through written means for sometimes long and continuous periods;
• Looking at a computer monitor for sometimes long and continuous periods;
• Frequent standing, walking, reaching, lifting up to 50 lbs., and stooping;
• Exposure to moderate-to-loud noise levels;
• Possible contact with onsite animals/pets;
• Potential for exposure to bodily fluids;

QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must demonstrate the ability to follow policies and procedures established in the Company's Employee Handbook and relevant funders policies and procedures. Candidates will also contribute to a positive work environment by behaving and communicating in a manner such that they get along with all constituent groups, co-workers, and management. In addition, the education, experience, and other skills listed below represent the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE- You must meet one (1) of the following:

1. Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in healthcare, psychology, sociology, social work, public administration, or a related field, AND one (1) year of applicable job experience, OR;
2. Associates Degree with a focus on healthcare, psychology, sociology, social work, public administration, or a related field AND two (2) years of applicable job experience, OR;
3. High school diploma or GED and two (2) years of lived experience, AND at least two (2) years of practical job experience supporting vulnerable populations.

CERTIFICATION

• CPR and First Aid, and NARCAN certification required.

KEY SKILLS

• The ability to communicate in person and over the phone is required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are required.
• Understanding confidentiality protocols and protecting personal information is required
• The ability to adhere to policies and procedures is required.
• Ability to organize and prioritize projects and multiple tasks effectively and promptly.
• Effectively problem-solve and maintain composure in high-pressure situations, required.
• Act as a liaison with partner agencies.
• Ability to work independently with minimal daily supervision required.
• Knowledge of all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, regulations, and departmental policies and procedures;
• Knowledge of utilized practices and principles, including Housing First, Trauma-Informed Care, Conflict Resolution, Motivational Interviewing, Low Barrier Operations, and Prevention and Diversion, preferred.
• Bilingual speakers of any language are preferred.

EQUIPMENT & APPLICATIONS

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint, required.
• Working knowledge of all standard office equipment.
• Experience with principles and practices of data collection and report preparation; HMIS experience preferred.

Alpha Project for the Homeless provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.