Case Manager I

Job Description

Job Description

Company Description

Background

Since 1976, St. Joseph Center has been meeting the needs of low-income and homeless individuals and families in Venice, Santa Monica, Mar Vista, and surrounding communities.  The Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization that assists people without regard for religious affiliation or lack thereof through comprehensive case management and integrated social service programs.  The Center enjoys broad-based community support as well as a sponsored relationship with its founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.  St. Joseph Center serves approximately 6,000 individuals annually.

Brief Description of Principal Activities

Multifaceted intervention, prevention, and education services are carried out at four sites on the Westside of Los Angeles.  St. Joseph Center’s integrated programs provide clients with concentrated and coordinated access to services according to the nature of their needs.

St. Joseph Center (SJC) is a nonprofit organization and is the leading housing and supportive services provider on the Westside of Los Angeles.  For nearly five decades, our mission has been to end homelessness and poverty in Los Angeles.  We work at the intersection of housing, economic mobility and social justice. We provide comprehensive housing services, outreach, food assistance, mental health support, and workforce development to over 15,000 low-income individuals, youth, and families each year.

We understand that homelessness, housing insecurity and poverty in Los Angeles are unique, largely shaped by the critical housing shortage.  That’s why we take a holistic approach to supporting Angelenos in need, prioritizing Housing First while recognizing that housing alone is not enough to support individuals and families on their path to build a sustainable and productive future.

We are looking for people who, like us, believe in the inherent worth of every individual.  And understand that homelessness and poverty are often a result of circumstances, not a reflection of character. We are on a bold mission to end poverty and homelessness in our generation and are deeply committed to finding long-term solutions to shape a future for Los Angeles that works for all.

At St. Joseph Center we are committed to creating a culture where innovation flourishes, diversity strengthens us, and our strong SJC community contributes to our shared mission.

Job Summary

Integrated programs which provide clients with field-based concentrated, coordinated access to services specific to the nature of client needs. The case manager works as part of the interdisciplinary Full-Service Partnership (FSP) team managing a caseload consisting of clients who meet criteria for chronic homelessness and severe mental health disorders. Case Managers provide intensive case management services aimed at engaging clients in the service continuum, provide linkage services that enable clients to become housing ready. Once housing is ready, the case manager assists clients in applying for subsidized housing and link clients to available housing resources by locating suitable units and helping them prepare for permanent housing. Once clients are housed, the case manager is responsible for providing ongoing intensive services aimed at helping client become as self-reliant as possible and sustain stable, safe housing.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Case Manager’s key areas of responsibility include: 

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Develop working relationships with other non-profit agencies also providing client services (Los Angeles Housing Authority, Housing A C Los Angeles, etc.)
• Present findings to collaborative agencies to develop a service plan of action that will ensure and expedite housing opportunities and stability
• Collaborate consistently and clearly with FSP team’s interdisciplinary team members such as MD, PMHNP, PA, MHT and other CM
• Assist with developing and implementing client treatment plans focusing on coordinated strategies for addressing mental health/substance abuse issues, relapse prevention, symptom/behavior reduction, medication management and any other risk factors that could impede permanent housing.

Essential Duties:

• Conduct ongoing case management assessments identifying client barriers to achieving their individual goals
• Identify and utilize client strengths to increase self-efficacy and independence.
• Provide ongoing intensive case management services that ensure successful permanent housing, decrease social isolation, decrease/prevent relapse risks, advocacy to deter evictions, and linkage and
• mental health, substance abuse, life skills training, self-help, money management, meaningful community activities, volunteer services, job placement, etc.
• Ensure smooth transition into permanent housing by ----to benefits and housing application processes, life skills such as budgeting and cooking, accessing community resources, and    other skills as needed
• Provide crisis management such as assessing for suicidal/homicidal ideation when necessary
• Provide psychoeducation on substance use and maladaptive behaviors
• Communicate with landlords and other collaborating agencies, responding to urgent requests in a timely manner
• Participate in meetings with collaborative agencies and other community meetings as directed
• Complete and maintain all documentation necessary per DMH requirements, agency requirements and program requirements

Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed are designed to provide typical examples of the work performed; not all duties and responsibilities assigned are included here, nor is it expected that all similar positions will be assigned every duty and responsibility.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Must be highly motivated and a self-starter.  The ability to communicate with and relate to a diverse group of people including clients, community, and other staff.  Must have excellent organizational skills and the capability to work in a fast-paced environment.   
• Strong knowledge of homeless services and resources.  Demonstrated knowledge and experience with Harm Reduction, Motivational Interviewing, Critical Time Intervention, and Housing First.
• A bilingual background is a plus.
• The position requires an ability to work flexible hours including some early mornings and evenings.

Experience:

• Two years’ experience providing services to highly vulnerable populations.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Psychology, Social Work, Human Services or a related field.

Direct Reports:

• This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities. 

Computer Skills:

• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Ability to use widely supported internet browsers.

Certificates, Licenses and Registrations:

• None required. 

Travel Requirements:

• Access to reliable transportation.
• Must meet clients on the field.
• Travel to meetings at various St. Joseph Center sites and at community partner locations as needed.

Work Environment:

Must work well in team settings as well as ability to meet performance requirements when working alone. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, stoop, talk, hear, reach above and below shoulders; use hand and finger dexterity, keyboarding and making and receiving telephone calls. The employee may be required on occasion to lift and or carry up to 20 lbs.

Benefits: Excellent benefits package available.

Status: Full time/Non-Exempt

Employment with St. Joseph Center is contingent on completion of satisfactory background check.

For consideration, please submit cover letter and resume. St. Joseph Center is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. All applicants for employment are invited to voluntarily self-identify their gender, race, ethnicity, and veteran status, by completing the EEO Information. Providing your EEO Information is voluntary and refusal to self-identify will not subject applicants to any adverse treatment. Similarly, applicants who do self-identify will not be subject to any adverse treatment based on the information they provide.

St. Joseph center invites you to review the current "EEO is The Law" poster as part of the application process. A link to the current poster is located here.