$22.97 - $28.71 HR/DOE

Join our Team! We offer an excellent benefits package!
3 weeks vacation * 12 days sick leave * 13 holidays* medical * dental* vision* life insurance * LTD * AD&D * pension * 403b * catastrophic & accident ins *

The Coordinated Entry Case Manager is a member of the service team for the Nativity House Homeless Adult Services division of Catholic Community Services. This position provides screening and intake of people seeking homeless services, utilizing assessment and prioritization tools as well as homeless diversion strategies.  Diversion is a brief emergency intervention that provides a combination of direct services which includes engagement of client resources, landlord/host mediation, and connections to mainstream services and resources, and housing placement and/or financial assistance to families as needed. The intended result of Diversion is to identify an alternate safe housing arrangement that removes the immediate need for additional homeless services such as emergency shelter, rapid re-rehousing or transitional housing. Clients without a Diversion option are assessed with a prioritization tool by the Coordinated Entry Case Manager for potential referral to a service provider. (Clients with the highest priority vulnerability and barriers are referred first.)

The Coordinated Entry Case Manager will work directly with individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The successful candidate for this position is energetic and non-judgmental and can actively listen, empathize and facilitate problem-solving with clients toward a stable housing plan, while also helping them navigate community resources. The Coordinated Entry Case Manager seeks to bolster persons’ own ability to think for themselves, weigh and consider options, advocate for their own needs, and ultimately act on their own behalf. The Coordinated Entry Case Manager must also be responsive to emergent housing crisis.

Duties include coordinating intakes at multiple community locations with partner agencies, assessing housing needs and providing prompt assistance as needed for housing stability options, and assisting clients to secure housing. The case manager also enters client data into the Homeless Management Information System.  In collaboration with the service team, the Case Manager is responsible for developing and tracking client-defined, goal-oriented Housing Stability Plans, assessing the needs of referred households, utilizing community resources to meet identified individual needs with the goal of stabilizing permanent housing in 30 – 60 days. This position works closely with the Program Supervisor and provides support as requested with the overall objective to provide outstanding services to families served by Catholic Community Services.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Coordinate intakes with clients in the shelter and on the shelter waiting list.  Provide timely intervention.

Employee accomplishes this responsibility by completing the following tasks:

• Coordinate appointments and intakes with shelter guests and collaborating with the Supportive Services team.
• Follow established schedule and communicate any need to deviate from schedule.
• Respond promptly to emergency referrals.

Assess housing needs using Motivational Interviewing and a progressive Engagement approach.

Employee accomplishes this responsibility by completing the following tasks:

• Listen to client’s story and summarize back to them.
• Identify immediate housing barriers as well as strengths and potential assets and help households brainstorm creative options for alternate housing arrangements using Motivational Interviewing Techniques.
• Work collaboratively with households to determine steps needed to secure housing.
• Identify a safe double-up situation as needed.
• Provide mediation with family member or friend as needed.

Develop and Initiate Housing Stability Plan.
Employee accomplishes this responsibility by completing the following tasks:

• Document action plan for short-term intervention to resolve housing crisis, use of community and natural resources, and family strengths to create a path to permanent housing stability.
• Identify and prioritize top housing needs.
• Provide one-time assistance for move-in costs if permanent housing option is available.
• Determine financial assistance to be provided as needed based on household’s stated need and program parameters.

Assist with locating and securing housing when applicable.
Employee accomplishes this responsibility by completing the following tasks:

• Assist client in finding housing within appropriate parameters (size, location, client affordability, Fair Market Rent).
• Negotiate with landlord/property manager as needed.
• If applicable, arrange a HQS inspection with Pierce County and confirm complete prior to payment or move in.
• Write purchase orders in a timely manner for rent, deposit, other financial assistance as needed.
• Acquire other documentation (copy of lease, 990)

Provide assessment and data entry.

Employee accomplishes this responsibility by completing the following tasks:

• Develop proficiency in maintaining accurate client records in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) upon intake, and editing information as needed.
• Develop proficiency in use of assessment/prioritization tool, and complete it with accuracy and objectivity.
• Enter all ongoing service transactions into HMIS.

Maintain records and reports.

Employee accomplishes this responsibility by completing the following tasks:

• Keep accurate and timely case management notes
• Develop individualized Housing Stability Plan within 1 week of start date. Update as needed.
• Keep organized and confidential records.

Attend meetings as necessary and represent CCS/AM Coordinated Entry System.

Employee accomplishes this responsibility by completing the following tasks:

• Participate in Coordinated Entry Learning Circles and/or community meetings as well as CCS case management meetings and provide case summaries and client status information.
• Attend appropriate training workshops and opportunities to continually improve knowledge and skills.
• Share appropriate information with other staff.

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Post-Secondary education in social services and 1 year experience providing direct services to low-income/no-income households in crisis, or 3 years’ experience (to include appropriate lived experience) providing direct services to low-income/no-income households in crisis. Appropriate life experience with homeless services also considered.
• Commitment and ability to engage in empathetic, non-judgmental way with people in stressful situations, in order to help the resolve immediate housing crisis.
• In depth knowledge of local social services and other community resources.
• Culturally competent across several populations.
• Ability and willingness to work in a team environment and promote a positive team spirit.
• Excellent inter-personnel skills including excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Word and database experience.
• Applicant must successfully pass required background checks prior to an offer of employment.
• Must have reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, automobile insurance and provide current auto registration.
• Must have an acceptable driving record per CCS’ driving policy, (required to provide current driving abstract).
• Support and uphold the mission, beliefs and values of Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services and a knowledge of and commitment to working within the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church.
• Support and contribute to a creative, collaborative and respectful environment that promotes teamwork.
• Demonstrates the necessary attitudes, knowledge and skills to deliver culturally competent services and work effectively in multi-cultural situations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with mediation.
• Bilingual skills (English-Spanish)
• Experience with Homeless Management Information Systems database.

Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Please let us know if you need special accommodations to apply or interview for this position.