Case Manager

Case Manager

The Case Manager position is part of the Open Doors Youth Reengagement Initiative which provides multiple pathways of educational programming for youth and young adults 16-21 who have given up or are very likely to give up on their education. This position directly supports youth participating in the TC Crafted woodshop program by reinforcing safe work practices, supporting work-based learning, and promoting student engagement through hands-on career readiness programming. In addition, the position will provide academic advising, assessments, career guidance information, intervention and advocacy, employment assistance or referrals, and referrals to social and health services for youth and young adults who have dropped out of school, been suspended, expelled, fallen seriously behind in academic credit, or who may be pregnant and/or parenting. This position will connect students to the necessary resources to help them complete their high school diploma or GED, and make transitions to post-secondary education, advanced training and/or enhanced employment.

Essential Functions:

• Recruit students and provide comprehensive needs assessments to arrive at the best pathway for each youth or young adult.
• Provide academic advising, career guidance information, employment assistance, and referrals to social and health services based on individual student needs.
• Connect youth and young adults to job search and job retention training, career exploration and job opportunities, and coordinate and monitor work experience training.
• Regularly meet with students in order to foster growth, increase motivation, and support retention.
• Help youth and young adults set goals, check regular progress, modify goals when needed, create plans for their future, and celebrate any and all successes.
• Identify individual barriers to education and employment.
• Create plans for helping students overcome the identified barriers.
• Collaborate with youth and their families, guardians, and/or other positive adults to establish and support student's goals.
• Demonstrate and reinforce the safe operation of hand tools, power tools, and woodworking equipment in accordance with TC Crafted safety procedures.
• Assist the Woodshop Teacher in preparing materials, setting up equipment, and leading students through woodworking projects including guitar builds.
• Support students during shop activities by providing hands-on guidance, monitoring safe tool use, and reinforcing proper woodworking techniques.
• Assist with the maintenance, organization, and routine inspection of shop tools, equipment, materials, and work areas to ensure a safe learning environment.
• Collaborate with community agencies and advocate for the youth and young adults to increase their access to community resources that address the identified barriers to education and employment.
• Maintain monthly status check documentation and any other necessary notes for each youth or young adult on the case load.
• Maintain follow-up beyond graduation of the program to ensure that barriers to access community resources are continuing to be addressed.
• Collaborate with schools, employers, community colleges and universities, businesses and other agencies, as necessary, to ensure youth and young adults are actively engaged in programs.
• Regularly collaborate and communicate with participating programs to ensure successful referrals and direct services.
• Maintain cooperative working relationships with educational, social, legal and health service agencies.
• Maintain confidentiality. Follow all Board policies and procedures.

Skills:

• Effective decision making, problem solving, organizational, and time management skills
• Ability to work as a team member and to work alone as needed.
• Ability to adapt to a flexible and changing work environment, work independently, multi-task, manage time effectively, and take leadership when needed.
• Must be detail orientated and complete tasks according to agency deadlines and policies and according to project timelines.
• Ability to maintain a good working relationship with co-workers, school district personnel, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to operate all standard office machines and equipment.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in social work, education, counseling, or related field preferred.
• At least 2 years of experience providing case management, counseling, or related direct services to at-risk individuals or youth sixteen to twenty-one.
• Knowledge of juvenile justice court systems and the ability to navigate resources for youth involved in these systems.
• Strong interpersonal skills and conflict management techniques.
• Computer skills: MS Word, Excel, Outlook and Internet skills required
• Experience working effectively with diverse populations.
• Experience providing referral, advocacy & case management services.
• Valid WA State Driver's license, regular access to reliable personal transportation and proof of insurance.
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings as needed.
• Demonstrated verbal and written skills.
• Demonstrated ability to provide community outreach strategies needed to recruit students.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize time management techniques to organize and prioritize work.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to programming changes.
• Ability to work successfully as an ESD team member by contributing to the ESD Strategic Plan, including supporting agency initiatives and sponsored events.
• WSP/FBI background clearance required.
• Requires knowledge and/or ability to: Represent agency in a professional manner
• Maintain highest standards of confidentiality
• Exhibit flexibility in working with staff, clients, and young adults reengaging in education and/or the workforce

Position Benefits:

• Opportunities to receive on the job training
• Access to full benefits (SEBB medical, vision, and dental insurance. WA DRS SERS retirement plan. Medical reimbursement account, Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance etc.)
• Access to the agency's wellness program
• Paid sick leave (6.4 hours per month)
• Paid personal leave (start at 16 hours per year)

Compensation:

Paid once a month on the last working day of the month. Receives an average monthly gross paycheck based on the number of days and hours assigned to the work calendar (Sept 01-Aug 31) and placement on the salary schedule. A full work calendar for this position is 180 days and 8 hours per day. Below is an example of a gross monthly paycheck for a full work year: $4,469.22 (step 1/year 1) - $5,032.21 (step 5/year 5) This amount may increase or decrease slightly based on hiring date and months remaining in the work calendar (Sept 01-Aug 31).

Traits That You Must Possess:

• Proactive self-starter
• A strong sense of taking initiative moving forward without waiting to be told what to do and how to do it.
• Flexible and can thrive in a fast-paced environment where you may have to wear several hats.
• Possess confidence while being humble lack excessive ego or concern about status.
• Willing to share credit, emphasize team over self and define success collectively rather than individually.
• Hungry always looking for more. More things to do, learn, and take responsibility for.
• Constantly thinking about the next step or opportunity.
• Smart have common sense about people. Good judgement and intuition around the subtleties of group dynamics and the impact of your words and actions.

About Our Team and Agency:

Helping students realize their dreams and aspirations is at the heart of everything we do at ESD 123. We accomplish this by embracing our employees as One Team, and operating with loyalty and commitment through compassion, dedication, and collaboration. At ESD 123, we strive to offer the highest quality customer experience by committing to our Culture Playbook, and always looking for ways to say, "Yes, and" Each member of our ESD team must be humble, hungry, and smart, with a focus on making his or her teammates look good while working toward achieving our mission . We want this position to be one that you are or can be passionate about and look forward to embracing. We want you to grow, be challenged, and have fun while doing things that you are skilled at and enjoy. We are looking for someone who is proud to join our ESD One Team!

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

• Work is performed primarily in an office environment; however, travel may be required to local school districts and program sites, and for workshops, committee representation and conferences at local, regional, and state level.
• Sitting for extended periods of time may be required.
• Lifts and carries a maximum of 35 pounds