Family Navigator [Case Manager, Family Support, Family Services, Human Services, Resource Navigator, Social Services]

Family Navigator

Catholic Charities of Central Colorado

Pikes Peak

Organization type: Nonprofit

Type of role: Full-time

Job Category: Programs/Services

Hourly: $20.60 - $22.75

Make a Meaningful Impact One Family at a Time

At Catholic Charities of Central Colorado, we believe that strong families build strong communities. As a Family Navigator, you'll be the first point of hope and support for families navigating tough times helping them find stability, access critical resources, and move toward long-term well-being.

This is more than a job it's a chance to walk alongside families with compassion and care. You'll connect them to services that match their goals and needs, remove barriers standing in their way, and provide steady, strengths-based support when it's needed most.

You'll conduct intakes and assessments, collaborate with partners across the community, and offer hands-on help that truly makes a difference all while being backed by a passionate, trauma-informed team that believes in growth, equity, and continuous learning.

If you're flexible, adaptable, people-centered, and ready to be part of meaningful change, we want to meet you. Availability for 1-2 evenings and one weekend day a month is needed to best serve families. You'll be supported along the way with paid training, team collaboration, and opportunities to grow.

Essential Duties

Key tasks and responsibilities to be performed in the role.

Client Intake & Assessment

• Conduct intake screenings and assessments for families who are seeking emergency assistance
• Review and self-assign requests and needs from families that come through Initial Contact, Info and Family Support emails.

Case Management & Follow-Up

• Provide urgent navigation efforts around financial assistance, including utility assistance, rent assistance, car repairs, hotel vouchers, and other client needs. This includes appointment scheduling, intake, initial needs assessments, and financial assistance funds for eligible clients.
• As allowed by capacity, develop effective case plans for a subset of families regarding parenting skills, family issues, economic stressors, parent/child relationships, and community connections. When possible, track measurable progress toward goals, acknowledge family strengths, resilience, and resources. Work toward keeping children safe in their homes and stable in school settings. Promote protective factors with families to ensure child safety.
• Document agreed-upon next steps and assign responsibility for each task. Follow up with families to assess progress and success with referrals, especially internal referrals to other Catholic Charities programs.
• Provide advocacy to entities involved with families, based on family needs, including but not limited to: welfare and public benefit agencies, landlords, and educational entities. Support family members in advocating for themselves.
• Seek feedback from families and team members for program improvement.
• Support all Family Connections team members and volunteers in daily department operations and office coverage to serve all walk-in and scheduled clients with optimal customer service.

Data, Documentation & Reporting

• Consistently and accurately collect and enter data into designated database systems within five (5) days of service. Maintain organized and complete client files (hardcopy and electronic), program statistics, demographics, and reports. Take ownership of updating and managing data entry systems, spreadsheets, and tools, proactively identifying and resolving errors and recommending process improvements to ensure accuracy and reliability.
• Respond to financial requests (rent, gift cards, etc.) appropriately, following established request and approval processes.
• Submit accurate financial documentation and maintain accurate financial records.
• Actively communicate with and seek support from supervisor including information on number of referrals received and allocation of funds.
• Maintain up-to-date Release of Information (ROI) documentation annually, in compliance with privacy standards.

Client Engagement & Community Partnerships

• Provide friendly, welcoming, and professional customer service to families, individuals, community members, and collaborating organizations.
• Act as liaison between internal program and strategic partner agencies, soliciting their support to obtain/make appropriate referrals to families needing services.
• Participate regularly in appropriate community meetings.
• Participate in ongoing training and be responsible for following Quality Standards for Family Strengthening & Support and Trauma-Informed Care practices.

Growth Pathway

How to advance within the role.

Case Manager I

Typically requires a bachelor's degree and 0 to 2 years of experience in the role.

Performs work under direct supervision.

Handles basic issues and problems and refers more complex issues to higher-level staff.

Possesses beginning working knowledge of subject matter.

Case Manager II

Typically requires a bachelor's degree and 2 to 4 years of experience in the role.

Performs work under general supervision.

Handles more complex cases.

Possesses solid working knowledge of subject matter.

Has successfully completed all required training and consistently demonstrates solid working knowledge and independent application of case management competencies, principles, policies, and procedures.

Provides leadership, coaching, and/or mentoring to junior staff (i.e., Case Manager I, Site Coordinator, Volunteers, Interns)

May serve as the organization's representative in community and partner settings.

May provide case management leadership and coverage in the absence of team members, including leadership roles.

Exhibits team leadership through a servant-leader approach; proactively steps in to support team needs across functions and departments, offering constructive feedback and fostering collaboration.

Competencies

Skills, behaviors, and abilities necessary to succeed in the role, but not required for eligibility.

Success in this role is built on a culture of continuous learning and early, ongoing feedback. A strong foundation in key competencies is important, along with the willingness to grow through experience. Training is provided during work hours many of them are self-paced and require motivation, time management, and the ability to reflect on and apply new knowledge and skills to support positive outcomes for clients.

• Willingness to work with clients and various vendors receiving payments, in order to help clients in crisis situations pay their bills.
• Ability to engage, foster, and maintain effective working relationships with a broad variety of families.
• Demonstration of empathy and compassion, using calm, quiet, and natural tones in interactions.
• Knowledge of child development (Protective Factors) and 2Gen (from supervisors) strength-based family support practices (FHI training), and ability to apply these practices when working with families and co-workers.
• Knowledge and application of Trauma Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing principles and practices and the Colorado Family Support Assessment.
• Proficiency in problem solving, planning, mediation, and conflict resolution.
• Demonstration of patience, understanding, and professional courtesy in team interactions, with contributions to daily team operations including welcoming guests, maintaining shared spaces, and supporting walk-in clients.
• Ability to use a Family Development approach to strengthen families and build support systems.
• Knowledge of family dynamics, systems theory, domestic violence, and social work theory/ practice.
• Understanding of social issues such as poverty, gender bias, substance abuse, child maltreatment prevention, and cultural diversity.
• Knowledge of community resources and systems.
• Commitment to ethical standards, including understanding and upholding The Code of Ethics for Client-Facing Positions through ethical decision-making, integrity, and professionalism.

Requirements

Minimum requirements to be eligible for the role.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field preferred, with at least one year of full-time experience in direct client/family interaction.
• Alternatively, Associate's degree in these fields with 2+ years of full-time experience in direct client/family interaction is acceptable.
• 4+ years in Case Management, in lieu of degree.

Knowledge & Skills

• Knowledge of common emergency assistance procedures, such as COPE (Citizen's Action to Provide Energy) and LEAP (Low-income Energy Assistance Program).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with an emphasis on listening, problem solving, and maintaining