Housing Caseworker

Housing Caseworker

Southern Ridge - Tulsa, OK 74136

Overview

Salary Range $45,000.00 - $47,000.00 Salary/year Position Type Full Time Category Nonprofit - Social Services

Description

Job Title: Housing Caseworker Department: Housing Reports to: Housing Casework Supervisor FLSA Status: Exempt Salary: $45,000-47,500/year

Job Summary:

The Housing Caseworker supports YWCA Tulsa's Rapid Rehousing (RRH) programs designed to quickly connect individuals and families experiencing homelessness to permanent housing, while also providing supportive services through the Housing First model. This position also uses the Progressive Engagement model of case management which includes motivational interviewing, trauma informed practice, and strengths-based goal setting to help individuals out of homelessness as quickly as possible.

Please note that this position is temporary, lasting 18-24 months with a chance that it will end earlier or later than that time frame.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide services with empathy, cultural sensitivity, and professionalism
• Manage a caseload of 15 clients, conducting in-depth assessments using housing barrier tools
• Assist with essential documentation: birth certificates, IDs, Social Security, disability, and public benefit applications (e.g., Medicaid, SNAP)
• Support clients through the move-in process, including securing household items and preparing home warming kits
• Advocate for equitable access to services and ensure clients receive eligible public benefits
• Connect clients to community resources for food, clothing, transportation, childcare, etc., and follow up regularly
• Engage with all clients on self-sufficiency practices, such as managing bills, setting up payment plans, and understanding tenant obligations
• Use Progressive Engagement case management to connect participants to resources including job and educational opportunities to help them become self-sufficient
• Support clients in increasing income and financial stability through employment connections, benefits access, budgeting conversations, and self-sufficiency planning to help ensure long-term housing stability
• Conduct routine home visits and respond to emergency housing needs (e.g., fires, infestations, weather-related damage) in coordination with relevant agencies

Administration and Data:

• Manage and coordinate rent, utility payments, deposits, and account setup for participants
• Maintain accurate and confidential client records and documentation
• Attend staff meetings, supervision, and case consultations as needed
• Foster positive relationships with service providers and support program evaluation
• Perform additional duties as assigned

Qualifications

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build rapport with individuals from diverse backgrounds through empathy, cultural humility and nonjudgmental communication
• Cultural sensitivity and understanding of diversity.
• Collaborative approach to working with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience with trauma-informed care, housing instability, homelessness, behavioral health, or community-based case management is preferred.
• Bilingual/multi-lingual applicants (specifically Spanish), LGBTQIA+, and individuals with lived experience are encouraged to apply.

Required competencies and expectations:

• Community: We center people in our program design; we engage the Community in our decisions, and we partner with others to achieve the greatest impact.
• Advocacy: We are committed to creating space for voices to be heard.
• Respect: We care about each other and treat each other with dignity and value. We believe that authentic, respectful relationships lead to learning and growth.
• Empowerment: We empower each other [and the community/those we serve] to have a voice and create change.
• Equity and Inclusion: We build diverse, welcoming, and inclusive spaces within our walls and in the world.
• Excellence: We set and achieve ambitious goals.

Data Competency:

YWCA team members are expected to demonstrate knowledge of their data and how it relates to their scope of work. Every team member is responsible for the collection of data and the expectation is that this information is reflected upon and used for decision making, serving clients where applicable and adjusting processes when needed. Team members are responsible for entering data accurately, timely and consistently and ensuring that they are aware of goals and objectives related to their position. YWCA team members are expected to synthesize and apply their data to advance our mission and ensure they are reporting progress to their direct supervisors in weekly meetings where they will use data to create action plans, work strategically, and analyze any gaps or areas of need.

Communication Competency:

YWCA team members are expected to communicate clearly, effectively, and in a collaborative manner. YWCA staff are expected to utilize a variety of communication tools, including but not limited to email, TEAMS messages, telephone and in person conversation. It is expected that communication is responded to within no more than 48 hours. YWCA staff will communicate timely and respectfully with staff, stakeholders and clients.

Mission-Centered competency:

YWCA staff are expected to remain focused on our mission while making strategic decisions for their position. YWCA staff embrace a growth mindset and are proactive problem-solvers who demonstrate competency in their position. Accountability, adaptability and collaboration are expected of all YWCA staff members. YWCA staff utilize their time effectively, meet deadlines and attend all YWCA meetings, functions and activities when it is an expectation of the position. YWCA staff consistently demonstrate the ability to respect and maintain the privacy of sensitive and confidential information and use best practices to protect that information.