Temporary Disaster Case Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Position Title:    Temporary Disaster Case Manager (DCM)

FLSA Status:    Exempt, Part-time or Full-time

Supervisor:    Temporary Lead Disaster Case Manager

Primary Purpose:    

Provide support to individuals and families impacted by disasters across Hawaiʻi. Rooted in a spirit of service, kuleana (responsibility), and community care, the DCM walks alongside survivors as they navigate recovery, helping them access resources, rebuild stability, and move toward long-term resilience.

Essential Duties:

Community-Centered Case Management:

●    Conduct outreach in communities to connect with individuals and families impacted by disaster, including those who may be isolated or underserved;

●    Build trusting relationships with survivors through respectful, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed engagement;

●    Complete comprehensive, strengths-based intake assessments and actively listen to understand each survivor’s story, strengths, and needs and resources;

●    Develop individualized Disaster Recovery Plans in partnership with survivors, supporting their goals for safe, stable housing, and overall well-being; 

●    Provide ongoing case management, monitoring progress, and adjusting plans as needed;

●    Manage a caseload of at least 30 impacted households; 

●    Walk alongside clients throughout the recovery process with consistent follow-up and encouragement;

●    Maintain consistent communication with clients based on priority tiers (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly);

●    Respond to client inquiries within required timeframes (e.g., within 48 hours).

Resource Navigation & Advocacy:

●    Connect survivors to available resources, including local organizations, cultural networks, state agencies (e.g., DHS), nonprofit partners, and community providers, and federal programs such as FEMA;

●    Connect clients to housing, financial, health, and social services;

●    Support clients in completing applications and navigating complex systems with clarity and care;

●    Advocate for equitable access to resources, especially for vulnerable populations and those facing barriers;

●    Coordinate services to maximize support and collaborate with local recovery groups and service networks to prevent duplication of benefits.

Documentation & Reporting:

●    Document all client interactions in the designated system (e.g., VisionLink) within required timeframes (24 hours); 

●    Maintain clear, complete, compliant, and accurate case records that reflect each survivor’s journey and progress;

●    Track progress toward recovery goals and case outcomes;

●    Contribute to required monthly and quarterly reports including Program activities and outcomes, Data summaries, and Barriers and solutions

●    Track hours worked and maintain required program records;

●    Safeguard all personal and sensitive information with the highest level of confidentiality and care;

●    Ensure documentation honors the dignity of clients and reflects a strengths-based, non-judgmental perspective.

Compliance & Program Requirements:

●    Adhere to all program requirements, including FEMA, DHS, and federal grant compliance regulations;

●    Maintain strict confidentiality of client data (including HIPAA-protected information);

●    Support financial and programmatic compliance documentation when required;

●    Participate in audits, monitoring, and site visits;

●    Ensure accurate use of program funds and adherence to allowable cost standards.

Outreach & Community Partnership:

●    Collaborate with community organizations, cultural leaders, and service providers to strengthen coordinated recovery efforts;

●    Participate in outreach events, community gatherings, town halls, and disaster recovery events to build awareness and trust;

●    Coordinate communication with stakeholders and partners;

●    Support program visibility and effective public communication strategies; 

●    Contribute to shared learning by identifying emerging community needs and available resources.

Case Lifecycle Management:

●    Manage cases from intake to closure, including initial triage, ongoing service coordination, case transfer (if needed), case closure based on defined criteria;

●    Ensure smooth transitions for clients when cases are transferred or closed;

●    Maintain appropriate caseload levels (generally up to ~35 active cases, depending on complexity).

Other Duties:

Other duties as assigned include but not limited to attending staff professional development training, completing all forms and documentations such as reports related to grant objectives, conference/in-service evaluations, and helping with special PIDF events.

Work Hours:    

●    Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00am-4:30pm;

●    May require hours outside business-hours to meet needs of families;

●    Position requires regular and predictable attendance;

●    Occasionally, some events in the evenings or on weekends at various times.

Working Conditions:

●    Field-based work with travel within disaster impact communities across Hawaiʻi in assigned service areas;

●    Travel in program or personal vehicle;

●    Travel to the neighbor island or U.S. continent may be required.

●    Must be able to travel locally and regionally on a frequent basis, including deployment to federally declared disaster areas, shelters, disaster recovery centers (DRCs), and affected communities;

●    Capacity to work extended, irregular, and flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and surge operations tied to FEMA activation timelines and survivor needs;

●    Exposure to post-disaster environments and high-needs populations.

Equipment Use:

Personal vehicle, computer, laptop, copier/scanner, shredder, fax machine, office phones, work cell phones/Bluetooth, paper cutter, microwave, stove, computer programs such as MS Word, and Excel. 

Mental, Physical and Communication Demands:

Mental:

●    Consistent adherence to the practice of PIDF’s five core values that are used as a guiding force in the success of all of its programs;

●    Cultural responsiveness and trauma-informed care;

●    Commitment to community, equity, and service;

●    Strong relationship-building skills;

●    Must be organized, detail-oriented, and accountable;

●    Must analyze and problem solve issues, and resource coordinate;

●    Must be able to multi-task and prioritize;

●    Must possess strong interpersonal and communication skills;

●    Ability to perform effectively in high-stress, emotionally charged environments, including exposure to trauma-impacted persons;

●    Collaboration and teamwork;

●    Ethical practice and confidentiality.

Physical:

●    Frequently sitting and performing deskwork;  

●    Occasionally operating a motor vehicle;  

●    Ability to sit, stand, walk, and remain mobile for extended periods while conducting client assessments, outreach, and case management activities in both office and field settings;

●    Ability to work in austere and rapidly changing environments, including areas with limited power, sanitation, climate control, or infrastructure;

●    Capability to lift, carry, and transport up to 25–30 pounds (e.g., case files, outreach materials, emergency supplies, laptops);

●    Ability to navigate uneven terrain, debris-affected areas, stairs, temporary structures, and outdoor conditions, including exposure to heat, humidity, rain, and other environmental factors typical of disaster zones;

●    Sufficient manual dexterity to operate computers, tablets, phones, and other mobile technology used for FEMA documentation and case management systems;

●    Ability to maintain physical stamina and resilience required for high-demand disaster response work;

●    Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions in accordance with applicable laws and program requirements.

Communication:

●    Must exhibit courteous and professional demeanor towards all via verbal, written, physical, and electronic correspondence;

●    Effectively able to actively and attentively listen and communicate, think through, evaluate and solve problems logically;  

●    Initiate a “can do” attitude with a friendly, outgoing and positive personality, while maintaining professionalism;  

●    Must have the ability to handle and maintain highly confidential information;

●    Adequate vision, hearing, and communication ability to safely assess environments, interact with survivors, and coordinate with multi-agency partners.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

Required:

●    Option 1:

o    Bachelor’s degree in social work, public health, human services, or related field (or equivalent experience);

o    At least one (1) year of applicable experience in social services, case management, disaster response, working with vulnerable populations, or community-based work;

●    Option 2:

o    Associate’s degree in social work or related field;

o    At least two (2) years of applicable experience in social services, case management, disaster response, working with vulnerable populations, or community-based work;

●    Must be proficient in Microsoft (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc);

●    Experience with data entry and case management systems;

●    Ability to work independently and in fast-paced, evolving environments; Must have experience in and understanding of positive youth development and family strengthening/engagement practices including trauma-informed care;

●    Must have an understanding of the diverse backgrounds including Hawaiian culture and values;

●    Must have access to a vehicle, have a valid driver's license, a safe and responsible driving record, and current no-fault auto insurance, with at least $100K in bodily injury liability per person and $25K in property damage liability.

●    Ability to drive or arrange reliable transportation to meet client needs and respond to disaster-related assignments (valid driver’s license may be required).

Preferred:

●    Knowledge of FEMA, DHS, or disaster case management programs;

●    Experience working in Hawai‘i communities or with culturally diverse populations;

●    Familiarity with nonprofit, housing, or behavioral health systems.

All positions require that the incumbent have no convictions of any crime against a child or other vulnerable person. We conduct periodic criminal background checks as a condition of employment.

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by an employee in this classification. It is not to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of employees assigned to this job. Management has the right to add to, revise, or delete information in this description. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.