Case Manager - Shelter in Grover Beach, California at 5Cities Homeless Coalition

Position: Case Manager - Shelter
Reports To: Senior Shelter Program Manager
Classification: Full-Time
FLSA: Non-Exempt (hourly)
Salary Range: $24.00-29.00
Supervisory Responsibilities: No

5Cities Homeless Coalition assists those who are experiencing or at-risk of homelessness to achieve housing stability, self-sufficiency, and improved health by providing resources, supportive services, and programs.

Our Vision
Through collaboration and leadership, the Coalition is building an engaged community that fully understands the complexities of homelessness and actively shares the responsibility of creating and implementing solutions to reduce it.

Position Summary
The Shelter Case Manager provides support to individuals experiencing homelessness, focusing on creating housing stability plans, securing permanent housing and connecting clients to community resources. The primary focus is to work in coordination with partner agencies to address a broad array of client needs through referral to providers of necessary services, and in providing housing assistance. The Case Manager will work on-site at our two non-congregate shelters. The Case Manager may perform duties that include coordinated entry, outreach, prevention and risk reduction, crisis intervention, health education, referral for substance abuse and mental health counseling, and benefits counseling. The Case Manager works with program staff to ensure program funds are used according to grant requirements and maintains quality assurance of client files. Routine duties include interacting with police, government agencies, faith-based organizations, local businesses and nonprofit agencies to provide client services.

Responsibilities
The following reflects management’s definition of essential functions for this job but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

Program Implementation
 Manage caseload of 20-25 participants with varying levels of need.
 Assist clients with obtaining resources, developing case plans, and completing benefit applications and supportive and subsidized housing paperwork.
 Advocate for clients with agencies and service providers to minimize barriers to clients receiving needed services.
 Ensure closed loop referral system with timely outreach and follow ups.
 Assist clients by managing use of services and expediting service delivery through linkage activities.
 Adhere to CalAIM standards for engaging in Enhanced Care Management and Housing Navigation Services.

Case Management
 Utilizing a housing-focused approach, create housing stability plans for clients with 30, 60, and 90-day goals including the steps to achieve those goals.
 Assist clients in job search and employment retention.
 Assist clients in developing savings and budget plans.
 Assist clients with necessary enrollment paperwork for eligible clients to assess health and medical benefits.
 Prepare case-related reports including outcomes, successes and challenges.
 Complete HMIS data entry related to all client services provided.
 Complete appropriate referrals and maintain adequate supporting documentation for enrollment in CalAIM services including but not limited to Enhanced Care Management, Housing Transition Navigation Services, Housing Deposits, Day Habilitation, and Short-Term Post Hospitalization.
 Engage in best practices of case management while still maintaining adaptability and flexibility.
 Provide relevant referrals to agencies and service providers based upon the goals and objectives mutually agreed upon with clients.

Outreach and Relationship Management
 Work with supervisor and colleagues on outreach to realtors, landlords, home owners and other housing providers to identify new and existing housing opportunities and build a strong inventory of available housing options for clients.
 Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with community resources, law enforcement, health agencies, and educational settings.
 Actively participate in staff meetings and trainings.

Qualifications
 Possess a minimum of an Associate Degree in a related field or two years of related Case Management experience.
 Experience in non-profit management, case management and/or program development.
 Background in or familiarity with behavioral health preferred.
 Previous experience with social services and/or homeless programs.
 Able to use computers, with proficiency in Microsoft Office software, particularly Excel.
 Be a highly motivated self-starter, with proven ability to develop creative solutions.
 Project a professional demeanor and possess excellent written and oral communication skills, interpersonal skills, and ability to work both individually and as part of a team.
 Maintain regular attendance.
 Able to multi-task and remain calm in demanding and unpredictable situations.
 Able to maintain a professional, customer service-oriented attitude at all times
 Able to meet face-to-face in the office and in unsheltered locations with homeless individuals of diverse backgrounds and disabilities, including physical, mental, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, etc.
 Able to tolerate being outdoors in all weather for several hours at a time
 Able to handle environments where extreme standing, walking, bending and lifting may be required
 Able to develop rapport, provide information, and refer with sensitivity to cultural issues
 Display a high level of initiative, effort and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently
 Possess excellent time management skills and the ability to work with minimum supervision
 Possess the ability to vary hours as demanded by job activities; evenings and weekends may be required pertaining to the position’s job requirements.
 Bilingual Spanish preferred.

Other Requirements (may be met at time of hire)
 Successful completion of background screening
 Reliable transportation, a valid California driver’s license, and must be able to qualify for employer insurance coverage
 Current tuberculosis test
 CPR/First Aid Certification

Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee may be in contact with individuals and families in crisis who may be ill, using alcohol and drugs, and who may not be attentive to basic personal hygiene, health and safety practices. The employee may experience a number of unpleasant sensory demands associated with the client’s use of alcohol and drugs, and lack of personal hygiene. The employee must be ready to respond quickly and effectively to many types of situations, including crisis situations and potentially hostile situations. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate in an office setting. Sometimes work may become stressful when working under pressure. The employee may be subjected to outside environmental conditions, including accessing areas inhabited by homeless persons that may be inhospitable and often difficult to access because of uneven or harsh terrain.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

In the course of performing the job, this position typically spends time sitting, standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, climbing stairs, driving, carrying (20lbs), lifting (20lbs), operating a computer keyboard, and making and receiving telephone calls. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The employee may be subjected to outside environmental conditions, including accessing areas inhabited by homeless persons that may be inhospitable and often difficult to access because of uneven or harsh terrain The employee must be able to tolerate being outdoors in all types of weather for several hours at a time.

5Cities Homeless Coalition is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), age, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, the presence of any physical or mental disability (except where such is a bona fide occupational qualification), domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

As with all positions at 5Cities Homeless Coalition, the employee filling this position is expected to work with a diverse workforce, optimize their personal performance, work safely at all times, willingly collaborate with their coworkers and supervisors to work more efficiently and effectively. They are expected to add their talents and ideas toward attaining our Mission: strengthening our community by mobilizing resources, fostering hope, and advocating for the unhoused and those facing homelessness.