Permanent Supportive Housing Case Manager II-SC/Center of Hope, Orange County-11-145

Job Description

Job Description

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church.  Its message is based on the Bible.  Its ministry is motivated by the love of God.  Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Position Summary

The Case Manager II focuses on Tenancy and Sustainability services. This encompasses two main areas: Housing Stabilization Program or Permanent Supportive Housing. It provides holistic, strength based, harm reduction case-management services specializing in housing sustainability and retention to include, but not limited to: removing barriers in order to become housing ready or sustain housing, assisting residents with making appointments, creating a budget in order to save towards moving into or sustaining housing and assistance with linking residents to resources. The Case Manager II with emphasis in Housing Stabilization Program searches for and visits various housing options and builds rapport with landlords and property managers to ensure individuals are linked to proper housing services and will participate in weekly Coordinated Entry System (CES) housing match meetings to provide resident updates on individuals being discussed during meeting. Case Manager II with emphasis in Permanent Supportive Housing will attend weekly Supportive Service Meeting, works with Property Management, and ensures engagement into the community.

Essential Functions

Case Management:

• Ensure holistic, strength based, harm reduction case management is provided in a timely, efficient and effective manner.
• Maintain an active case load.
• Work with homeless and/or housed individuals to remove barriers that would impede them from focusing on obtaining and maintaining housing.
• Create a case plan with each resident and perform needs assessments to ensure proper services are offered.
• Meet with residents on case load as needed, at minimum four times a month.
• Ensure resident case notes are entered weekly within internal and external databases.
• Utilize conflict management, de-escalation, and crisis intervention techniques in emergency situations.

Housing Navigation

• Assist residents with obtaining documents needed for housing.
• Research and visit various housing options for low-income individuals/seniors and build rapport with landlords and property managers.
• Assist in locating and securing permanent housing through outreach to landlords, property managers, housing authorities, and social service agencies.

Housing Sustainability and/or Permanent Supportive Housing

• Facilitate the use of community resources to help residents integrate into the community, and link newly housed residents to appropriate resources.
• Conduct in-home or community visits with a step-down approach (Critical Time Intervention - CTI) for each client.
• Teach basic life skills and educate newly housed clients on neighborhood amenities, services, and transportation.
• Apply knowledge and educate residents on tenant rights and responsibilities.
• Provide proactive follow-up home visits to support stability, self-sufficiency, and problem-solving, including advocacy and reducing isolation.
• Ensure each resident is welcomed and offer engagement into the community.
• Prepare and conduct life skills classes for residents and coordinate with outside vendors to come onsite and offer classes. Classes may consist of budgeting, nutrition, AA/NA, work readiness, tenant rights, and other related skills.
• Utilize harm reduction interventions to deliver client-centered, holistic services to help clients remain housed.
• Coordinate holiday, birthday, and community celebrations for residents.
• Act as a liaison between landlord and client (and clients/neighbors) for housing-related issues.

Record Keeping:

• Maintain proper documentation including copies of housing documents, resident goals, monthly reporting, and resident electronic files.
• Enter resident case notes into internal and external database (HMIS, CES System, Wellsky, CalOptima) in a timely manner (as each database requires).
• Accuracy of CalOptima (CalAIM) billing process submission in a timely manner by designated deadline.
• Other duties as assigned by Program Supervisor or lead.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Thinking - Develop strategies to achieve organizational goals; adapt strategy to address constant change and conditions.
• Problem Solving – Identify & resolve problems in a timely manner; gather and analyze information skillfully and develop solutions.
• Oral Communication - Speak professionally, clearly, and persuasively in a variety of potentially challenging situations; seek clarification and respond appropriately to questions.
• Written Communication - Write clearly and informatively; edit work for spelling and grammar; Present numerical data accurately; Read and interpret written information.
• Teamwork – Balance team and individual responsibilities; Build a positive team spirit, morale, and group commitment to established goals, core values and objectives.
• Active Listening – Ability to focus completely on what the client is saying and not saying, to understand the meaning of what is said in the context of the client’s desires and support the client self-expression.
• Adaptability and Flexibility – Ability to adapt successfully to changing situations and environments, able to keep calm and flexible during difficult and stressful situations.
• Time Management – Ability to prioritize responsibilities effectively, create and plan assigned tasks for sufficient deadlines, the ability to create to-do and checklists, set clearly defined goals, and sets good balance between work and family life.
• Cultural Competence – Ability to embrace and respect the diversity of each and every clients served.
• Continuous Improvement/Organizational Effectiveness – Constantly look for ways to improve and promote quality, effectiveness, and efficiency at all operational levels.

PAY RATE: $26.00-$28.00/hr.

Working Conditions

Ability to walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel and twist on an intermittent or sometimes continuous basis.  Ability to grasp, push, pull objects such as files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead.  Ability to operate computer, fax, and telephone. Ability to lift up to 40 lbs. Ability to drive and conduct in home visits with clients. 

Minimum Qualifications     

• By virtue of its direct contact with, and representation to people who engage in Salvation Army programs, people who demonstrate an understanding of The Salvation Army’s Christian mission are required for this position.
• Bachelor’s in social work or equivalent degree (preferred).
• Minimum 1-year experience in case management working with people in recovery, mentally ill and/or homeless.
• 1-year experience with HMIS or Wellsky (preferred).
• Experience with tenant/landlord relationships preferred.
• Must be in good physical health and mental health, and capable of meeting the demand of the position.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Driving Test and clean MVR check. (driving required)
• Bilingual/Bi-literate English/Spanish preferred.
• Detail-oriented to complete file requirements and ensure contract compliance.
• Knowledge or understanding of tenant’s rights and responsibilities as well as “strengths-based” case management.
• Sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the population served.
• Must have the ability to communicate effectively and remain positively engaged with co-workers, community members, and residents.
• Must have flexible availability to handle crisis calls nights/weekends/holidays.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Computer literate; effectively use a computerized database for resident file management, with basic skills in Microsoft Office: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook email.