Case Manager

Housing Advocate

This is a part-time position that will work as part of a team that utilizes a Harm Reduction and Housing First Model to assist people who have experienced long-term homelessness by meeting them where they are with housing as a primary focus. Team members will respond to each participant's unique needs and goals, recognizing their resiliency and supporting them through challenges by providing on-going support in accessing community services to ensure stability in housing and integration in the community. The position works at several housing sites in Ramsey County.

This is a Part-time Position at 20-25 hours per week. Hours for this position are weekdays, flexible.

Responsibilities

• Provide effective case management to program:
• Maintain a caseload of 7-10 participants.
• Complete intakes and assist with tenancy application process with new participants.
• Meet weekly with participants with at least one home visit per month in the participant's apartments.
• Partner with participants to develop self-defined goals focused on improving stability and achieving greater economic independence.
• Orient participants to the program's service policies/procedures and expectations.
• Offer regular and meaningful contact with participants to maintain trust, assist in crisis prevention, and help meet individual needs.
• Support participants to connect with appropriate community resources.
• Build relationships with property managers and facilitate communication with participants regarding ongoing tenancy concerns, and property issues.
• Provide transportation and accompany residents to appointments related to their goals.
• Provide flexible services during times that meet client needs.
• Partner with participants for housing stability:
• Partner with participants to address barriers to housing such as lack of identifying documents, warrant closures, evictions and/or criminal record expungement, etc.
• Partner with individuals to complete tenancy education to understand their lease as well as their rights and responsibilities as a tenant.
• Partner with participants to obtain furniture and other necessary household items.
• Partner with participants to address housekeeping and environmental needs.
• Partner with participants to prepare for moving on to independent housing.
• Partner with program participants to increase financial stability:
• Partner with participants to establish and maintain eligibility for government benefits such as Housing Support, MFIP, SS I, and health coverage.
• Partner with participants to connect with education, training, and/or employment.
• Partner with participants to improve financial health by developing realistic budgets and spending plans.
• Complete accurate and thorough documentation and recordkeeping in a timely manner:
• Maintain individual electronic Client Track files, including timely detailed case notes of each interaction.
• Understand and comply with necessary documentation for Housing Support.
• Maintain accurate records including employee time sheets, credit card, and mileage reimbursement.
• Provide positive representation of SHS through public relations and networking:
• Communicate and coordinate services with all team members. Attend regular team meetings as well as other required meetings at the agency and community level.
• Interpret the agency's mission and its programs effectively to constituents.
• Attend and participate in professional training, workshops and site visits.
• Commitment to racial equity and social justice:
• Work within and across agency departments to build a culture of equity and antiracism.
• Evolve knowledge and strategy of equity and antiracism on an individual and team level.
• Participate in meetings, training, and workshops hosted by SHS about diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism, and other related topics.
• Demonstrate essential knowledge, abilities, and skills:
• Ability to take initiative, think critically, be flexible, and solution focused.
• Ability to work very well independently, with excellent skills in teamwork and collaboration.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within and outside the organization.
• Possess excellent computer skills, with experience in Office 365, Word, Excel, and Outlook; Demonstrate the ability to learn additional computer skills/program as necessary.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to promote a professional work environment that is affirming, respectful, culturally competent, and rooted in anti-racist practice.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries in all interactions with guests, volunteers, staff and the public

Please note, this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Employees may provide back-up for other advocates during periods of absence or during times of increased workloads.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in human services and/or related field of study OR equivalent experience is required.
• Broad knowledge of housing resources.
• Driver's license and personal vehicle required.

Desired:

• Experience working with individuals who are homeless or have personal experience of homelessness.
• Experience working with adults with mental health and/or chemical health concerns are strongly preferred.

Essential Physical Functions:

• Must be able to read, write, hear, and speak at a proficient level of English, and communicate by phone, text and email.
• Must be able to move about the community and public places (such as apartment buildings) with awareness of personal safety.
• Must be able to lift items up to 25 pounds on an occasional basis.