Case Manager

Description

The Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS) is one of New York City's premier human services organizations, leading the way in innovative solutions to homelessness, poverty, and mental illness. With an annual budget exceeding $100 million and a passionate team of over 700 employees, CUCS empowers thousands of New Yorkers each year through integrated housing, health, and social services. From supportive housing and mental health care to employment assistance and professional training, CUCS delivers life-changing programs that foster long-term stability and opportunity for the city's most vulnerable populations. As a recognized leader in the field, we're expanding our impact-and we're looking for dedicated professionals to join us.

CUCS is currently recruiting a Case Manager at Kingsbridge Heights, a supportive housing program for families in the Kingsbridge Heights section of the Bronx, located close to public transportation. As a Case Manager at CUCS, you'll provide a full range of person-centered services to a dedicated caseload of clients-both onsite and in the community. This role is critical to our mission, offering holistic, strengths-based support that includes:

• Case management and advocacy
• Housing placements and referrals
• Crisis intervention and wellness coaching
• Regular outreach and appointment escorting
• Monitoring and coordination of care

You'll be expected to maintain high standards in line with agency policies, funder guidelines, and management directives-including thorough and timely documentation of all client contacts and services delivered.

For a full scope of the work, see below (Please note Case Manager responsibilities may vary depending on the program site.):

Essential Functions include but are not limited to:

• Build relationships and work collaboratively with clients to develop and implement effective service plans.
• Coordinate and deliver comprehensive services and referrals to meet client needs. Assist clients with self-administration and delivery of medication while following agency policies, procedures, and reporting requirements.
• Work collaboratively with clients to develop and implement effective service plans, taking into account clients' goals, interests in employment and education, sources of support, medical or mental health diagnoses, substance use diagnoses, medication regimens, risk factors, collateral contacts, and psychosocial history, in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
• Locate and engage clients in any designated service setting, including program sites, client rooms, or community-based locations, to support medication compliance and promote engagement in treatment.
• Ensure all medication-related activities comply with agency policies, licensing regulations, and applicable laws, including accurate documentation, proper storage and handling, adherence to consent and self-administration protocols, and use of required forms and procedures governing medication services.
• Support the client move-in process by assisting with orientation to the program, distributing essential items (e.g., linens, toiletries, towels, and clothing donations), and processing personal belongings through the PackTite (bed bug oven) system in accordance with agency protocols.
• Assist clients with packing items infested with bed bugs and running them through bed bug machines as necessary.
• Provide timely crisis intervention services, coordinate with emergency responders, conduct institutional visits, and manage discharge planning.
• Facilitate group services, including but not limited to recreational groups, evidence-based practice groups, and support groups.
• Complete ongoing assessments to monitor client progress, revise service plans, and ensure alignment with program goals and requirements.
• Adhere to agency policies regarding confidential information and protect the privacy of clients.
• Assist clients in accessing eligible federal, state, and local benefits by identifying programs, completing applications, escorting clients to appointments, and tracking renewals.
• Assist clients with managing financial resources, including providing representative payee services.
• Attend trainings to better support clients in obtaining federal, state, and local benefits as directed by program management and in accordance with funder requirements.
• Facilitate the housing placement process by identifying appropriate options based on eligibility criteria, assisting with application completion and required documentation, coordinating with housing providers, and providing support throughout the search, transition, and move-in process.
• Monitor clients who move into housing and conduct follow-up outreach in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
• Assist clients with maintaining their housing, managing arrears, completing annual recertifications, preparing units for apartment inspections, and communicating with landlords and/or building management.
• Support clients with activities of daily living, including but not limited to hygiene, personal care, laundry, showers, cleaning, pest remediation, hoarding mitigation, donation coordination, and preparation for apartment inspections.
• Conduct in-home visits and assist clients with maintaining safe and clean apartments or personal spaces.
• Provide services both onsite and in the community, including but not limited to accompanying clients to medical appointments, benefits offices, housing interviews, shopping trips, job interviews, school meetings, and court appearances.
• Enter and maintain client service delivery in designated databases, ensuring that all documentation-including but not limited to progress notes, service plans (ILPs), assessments, and benefit forms-is completed accurately, thoroughly, and within required timeframes, in compliance with agency and funder standards.
• Maintain required monthly contact hours with clients or their collaterals in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
• Monitor client progress and adjust service plans accordingly.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education and Experience

Placement within the Case Manager title series is based on the following minimum qualifications:

• Case Manager 1: High School Diploma and two (2) years of relevant work experience (Non-HASA funded sites only).
• Case Manager 2: Bachelor's Degree; or High School Diploma and four (4) years of relevant work experience.
• Case Manager 3: Bachelor's Degree and two (2) years of relevant work experience; or Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and one (1) year of relevant work experience; or High School Diploma and six (6) years of relevant work experience.
• Case Manager 4: Bachelor's Degree and four (4) years of relevant work experience; or Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and three (3) years of relevant work experience; or High School Diploma and eight (8) years of relevant work experience.
• Case Manager 5: Internal promotion only.
• For applicants without a college degree, every 30 college credits earned may be substituted for one (1) year of relevant work experience. At HASA-funded sites, college credits may not be substituted unless the applicant also has a minimum of four (4) years of relevant work experience. Relevant experience is defined as experience directly related to the essential duties and responsibilities of the position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Demonstrated ability to provide services to specialized populations. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and general computer applications. Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to tailor communication to diverse audiences. Excellent organizational, time management, teamwork, and collaboration skills. Ability to meet any position-specific language requirements or preferences, as applicable.

Physical Demands. The physical demands described below are generally required to perform the essential job functions for this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.
1. Sit and stand for extended periods of time
2. Walk, bend over, reach overhead, grasp, push, pull, and move
3. Lift and move items or equipment weighing up to 30 pounds
4. Walk up/down stairs (note, most agency sites have elevators)
5. Work primarily indoors in a standard, open space office environment and operate standard office equipment. Note that some community-based programs require working outdoors.
6. View and read computer screens and written documents, and enter data into computer.
7. Ability to commute with clients via public transportation for lengthy periods of time.
8. Ability to travel to various locations in order to provide escort services.