Case Manager- Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Specialist

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Job description

JOB SUMMARY

This position has been developed as a response to housing instability in OKC that was caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It will provide virtual and, when safe, home-based or field-based case management, as well as community-based resource referrals and advocacy efforts for clients who are in need of homelessness prevention or rapid-rehousing services. The Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Specialist will help connect clients to emergency housing and/or permanent housing, and will provide housing case management to ensure that clients are stable before discharge. This person will also participate in community-wide, coordinated prevention efforts. This position is grant funded through September of 2022. Beyond that, the position will be contingent upon ongoing housing instability related to the COVID-19 Pandemic and available funding.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Specializes in prevention and rapid rehousing services with clients who are experiencing housing instability or homelessness as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Meets with clients virtually or in the field depending on CDC guidance related to the COVID-19 pandemic
• Manage a caseload of up to 40 clients at one time.
• Pursues an engagement process seeking to build a relationship of trust and support and will involve outreach, screening, intake, assessment, individual service plan development, monitoring, linkage to appropriate community resources, follow-up, advocacy, appropriate discharge, tracking tenant outcomes.
• Is very familiar with housing resources at the Homeless Alliance and the community and is able to quickly assess and make appropriate referrals.
• Maintains precise and accurate documentation of case management services, including client files and entries into the program database (HMIS) for every face to face or telephone contact or collateral contact by the next business day. This will include capturing data regarding causes of homelessness related to the Pandemic.
• Attends mandatory weekly staffing meetings virtually and on occasion, may be asked to come into the office for meetings.
• Assists participants with completing lease agreements and obtaining other supportive documents such as identification, social security cards and so forth as required by leasing agents/property.
• Assists tenants in accessing and maintaining entitlements and benefits.
• Assists tenants in achieving goals relating to HUD grant compliance; focuses on meeting the specific needs of each individual or family through tenant-driven ISPs (Individual Service Plan).
• Participates in Coordinated Case Management with Homeless Alliance agencies.
• Facilitates and coordinates supportive activities with Homeless Alliance and partners, including employment assistance programs, job readiness training, financial education, and behavioral health services, to meet the person's needs, preferences, and goals to build upon his/her strengths.
• Assists tenants with obtaining services and supports to enable the person to remain stably housed and reach self-sufficiency. Advocates for needed services and assists tenants in meeting the obligations of tenancy.
• Transports clients as needed.
• Establishes and maintains close collaborative working relationship with community resources; attends and participates in appropriate coalition and other community resource meetings.
• Performs other related duties as required.

REQUIREMENTS

• Dedicated to ending homelessness in Oklahoma City with a sense of urgency.
• Dedicated to criminal justice reform in Oklahoma City
• Possess a high level of tolerance and understanding for individuals who present for services with urgent multiple case management and health needs.
• Strong advocacy skills.
• Strong writing, reading, listening and speaking communications skills.
• Able to set and observe appropriate boundaries with clients.
• Possess well-developed, decision making skills, attention to detail with a high level of accuracy.
• Ability to excel in a diverse, collaborative team environment.
• Possess a high level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential Homeless Alliance, client, donor, and employee information and situations.
• Able to multi-task and remain calm in demanding and unpredictable situations.
• Possess ability to understand various Homeless Alliance operations and procedures.
• Able to maintain a professional, customer service-oriented attitude at all times.
• Ability to meet face-to-face with homeless individuals of diverse backgrounds and disabilities, including physical, mental, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, etc.; able to develop rapport, provide information, and refer with sensitivity to cultural issues.
• Ability to work and communicate with staff, clients, donors, vendors, community agencies, etc. to meet their needs in a polite, courteous and cooperative manner, yet appropriate assertive as situation may demand.
• Display a high level of initiative, effort and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently.
• Possess excellent time management skills and the ability to work with minimum supervision.
• Knowledge of community resources available in Oklahoma City.
• Ability to transport individuals as needed, and travel to various sites and locations daily.
• Able to meet a flexible work schedule including evenings and weekends and available on-call for emergencies by telephone and/or cell phone.

EDUCATION & WORK EXPERIENCE

• Undergraduate degree in social work or behavioral science preferred
• Two plus years of previous experience in adult case management preferred.
• Computer literate; experienced with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel), Outlook, Internet.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Valid Oklahoma driver's license & Proof of Insurance

• PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

While performing duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and work at a computer for long periods of time in an office environment and must be able to lift/move weight up to 25lbs. Employee is also required to accept incoming calls and must be able to hear and speak. Must have visual acuity to read and draft reports, memos, letters, etc. Specific vision abilities required by this job include vision adequate for the incumbent perform the responsibilities and functions of the job efficiently. Must have the manual dexterity to manually operate and use a computer. Incumbent must be able to drive in all weather and road conditions. The noise level is quiet to moderate; non-smoking environment.

Work Environment

The employee will work remotely (in a quiet, confidential place with access to internet), in an office, and in a public, service-delivery environment. Hectic situations can occur in the public areas of the facility characteristic to working with the homeless community and the related concerns and situations related to homeless conditions. Potential exists for volatile and unpredictable situations to occur. May experience exposure to strong odors such as soiled clothes and poor hygiene.

The qualifications, physical demands, and work environment described herein are representative of those an employee will encounter and must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities.

This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon the availability of funds.

Excellent benefits available!

• Health Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• PTO

• Retirement Plan

• Flex Spending Account

• Employee Assistance Program

• Short-Term disability

• Accident and Cancer policy options

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $15.38 - $16.41 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: Multiple Locations