About Job

Administrative Information

Job Title: Housing Case Manager

Reports to: Director of Client Services

About Us

First Step Shelter is an emergency shelter for single men and women who have been homeless. Residents live with us while receiving services to stabilize their lives, get jobs, and find housing.

Summary

The Housing Case Manager works in concert with the Shelter Case Manager Staff to safely and effectively assist clients of First Step Shelter to obtain housing. Additionally, they will oversee the First Step Shelter Follow-up Program requiring them to perform monthly home visits, weekly phone contacts, and ongoing case management to assist the client maintain their current housing.

Essential Functions Performed

· Seeks housing for clients in the shelter program.

· Conducts follow-up for clients who have gone into housing as required.

· Provides case management services to assist housed clients in maintaining their housing.

· Coordinates with Shelter Case Manager Team for necessary information regarding housing, such as identification documents and income.

· Assists Shelter Case Manager Staff with intakes and manages an independent caseload of 10 - 20 active residents in conjunction with follow-up clients outside of the shelter.

· Completes thorough review of the Resident Handbook with residents during the intake process to assure residents understanding of FSS program requirements and residents’ commitment to willingly participate.

· Develops an individualized comprehensive plan of care on assigned residents that incorporates a full spectrum of client needs ultimately leading to stable housing placement.

· Meets with the client on a weekly basis to assess client progress, service referrals, provide additional support for meeting client needs, and follow up on the plan of care.

· Educates the client about available community resources to promote stabilization and self-sufficiency and facilitates service referrals based on identified client needs.

· Coordinates with other agencies and disciplines to ensure residents’ needs are appropriately met and transition to permanent housing occurs.

· Enter data as appropriate for checklists, worksheets, and HMIS.

· Provides and updates data on follow-up spreadsheets for grant requirements as needed.

· Develops contact list of appropriate housing referrals.

· Develops positive relationships with landlords, property managers, local housing authorities and all types of public and subsidized housing.

· Transports and assists clients in visiting appropriate housing properties.

· Advocate for and negotiates leases with landlords.

· Performs property inspections to verify HUD standards.

· Completes all required HUD forms and reports.

· Assists client with housing applications as well as Section 8 voucher applications.

· Assesses housing location to ensure compatibility with client needs.

· Attends the Commission on Homelessness and Housing for Volusia and Flagler Counties HMIS and Coordinated Entry Committee Meetings as well as any other community meetings where housing for homeless is addressed.

· Attends Section 8 Voucher briefings with eligible clients.

· Maintains appropriate case files related to housing in accordance with HIPPA requirements and guidelines.

· Acquires proficiency in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and enters all resident information within the designated time frame.

· Maintains timely records using the database of the agency to track demographics following guidelines for participant intake.

· Assists residents in setting goals and identifying their immediate needs.

· Provides information, referral and problem-solving, and direct assistance to residents.

· Maintains current knowledge regarding literature, trends, developments, and policy changes affecting the homeless population.

· Produces timely reports as required.

· Attends and participates in all meetings and trainings, as required by the agency.

· Works as liaison with other agencies, churches, businesses, and individuals in the community to coordinate services.

· Assists staff/programs in emergency/crisis situations as directed.

· Assures compliance with any grant contracts.

· Monitors program quality and conveys corrective measures as needed to supervisor.

· Maintains standards of accountability for all financial transactions.

· Effectively employs de-escalation techniques as needed.

· Participates in Agency continuous quality improvement (CQI) program.

· Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

· The job functions listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

· A bachelor’s degree is required, with a preference for a health or human services discipline.

· A minimum of two years of experience in case management is required.

· Must pass a level II background check.

· Must have a Florida driver’s license and willingness to transport clients.

· Must provide a 7-year driving history prior to hire and be cleared by the Executive Director to drive.

· Must be willing to work a rotating shift for coverage as needed, including some weekend days.

· Two years of experience in budgeting is preferred.

· Experience working with the chronically homeless population preferred.

· Experience with HMIS preferred.

· Knowledge of the addiction recovery process preferred.

· Computer proficiency and excellent written and verbal communications skills.

· A working knowledge of area resources for resident’s assistance is required.

Skills and Abilities

· Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality around clients and financial information.

· Effective written and verbal communication skills.

Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner.
Prioritize and plans work activities; uses time efficiently.

· Ability to work and relate to unhoused people in a helpful, directive, firm, and compassionate manner.

· Ability to work independently and cooperatively as a member of a professional team.

· Demonstrated ability to work successfully in a multi-cultural setting with diverse client groups.

· Must be able to communicate and interact effectively and respectfully with shelter residents

· Proficient computer skills, including the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook

Other

Have no record or history of illegal drug use, sale, possession, or manufacture during the previous five years.
Willing to take a drug test.

· Must be trained or willing to be trained in de-escalation techniques.

· Must be flexible and willing to help-out when needs outside this job description arise at the shelter.

Physical Abilities

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 regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and far vision.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,500.00 per year

Benefits: