Housing First Case Manager

Title:   Housing First Case Manager 

Department:      TBD  

Reports to:   Assistant Director of Programs  

Salary:   $52K-$56K 

FLSA Status:  Exempt 

About Us: 

Shelter House was established in 1981 as a grassroots responder to the homelessness crisis in Fairfax County.  Since the organization’s inception, we have adapted and grown to meet community needs, all while working in partnership with government and private partners and community members. Today, Shelter House is a successful and reputable organization of over 100 employees committed to preventing and ending homelessness and domestic violence.  In the last year, our compassionate team of individuals changed the lives of nearly 2,000 individuals, half of which were children. Our Culture is built from our Core Values of Inclusivity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Empowerment (iC.A.R.E.) 

About the Role: 

The Housing First Case Manager will work with a caseload of 18 single individuals (clients) in the Permanent Supportive Housing Program. Singles in this program can experience a variety of challenges ranging from mental health diagnoses, substance abuse, physical/developmental disabilities, limited income, and chronic or long-term homelessness. This work is based in the community and administrative office. The Case Manager will uphold the Housing First model using a trauma-informed care and harm-reduction approach to enhance client success, promote long-term self-sufficiency, and support sustained housing stability. Responsibilities may include conducting individual needs assessments, empowering clients to maintain their housing, and empowering them to work toward self-sufficiency. The Case Manager will link clients to services and resources to help them stabilize, rebuild their lives, and graduate out of the Supportive Housing program. 

How you will contribute: 

Duties and Responsibilities:   

• Use a strengths-based approach to perform assessments to gauge client’s strengths, physical health, mental health, social needs, educational needs, level of life skills, and employment readiness. 

• Use assessment outcomes to determine, with the client, what support is needed to maintain stability and achieve short- and long-term goals. 

• Develop Individualized Service Plans 

• Encourage the client and his/her family to focus their efforts on attaining the objectives specified in their service plan. 

• Assist clients in securing appropriate services and coordinate delivery of all services to clients (i.e., employment, housing, finance, mental health services, applying for SSI benefits, etc.) 

• Provide support to clients experiencing crises/ implementation of emergency procedures/crisis interventions and coping skills 

• Create and maintain financial budgets and money management education with clients; work with clients to ensure rent and utilities are paid in a timely fashion. 

• Empower and guide clients in their progress through the housing program 

• Maintain complete client records in accordance with agency and best practice standards 

• Keep timely documentation of all contact with clients in client file and HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) as required, and completion of annual reassessments and quarterly reviews. 

• Participate in staff meetings and trainings as directed by supervisor 

• Ensure compliance with all agency policies 

• Function as a contributing member of a multidisciplinary team with Shelter House Inc. and partner agencies to ensure clients receive needed services in a timely manner 

• Assure that all relevant information pertaining to clients is disseminated to all appropriate staff members in a timely manner 

• Proficiently utilize Microsoft Suites applications (email, calendar, drive, docs, etc.) as a part of day-to-day work requirements 

• Safely utilize Shelter House owned vehicles to drive clients to various locations if needed. 

• Exemplify the Shelter House core values; Inclusivity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Empowerment 

• Other Duties as assigned 

About You: 

Required: 

• A bachelor's degree in human services/ related field or commensurate experience 

• 2+ years of case management/ direct services/other related experience 

• Strong written and oral communication skills 

• Ability to prioritize competing priorities and make sound judgements 

• Ability to complete tasks while navigating frequent interruptions 

• Ability to deliver creative, resourceful solutions to unique challenges 

• Strong organizational and time management skills 

• Valid Driver’s License and reliable transportation 

• Ability to Drive a 15-passenger van 

• Willingness to work evenings and weekends when needed 

Preferred: 

• Foreign Language fluency in a language other than English (ex. Spanish, Farsi, Arabic or Amharic) 

• Experience with providing services to clients experiencing homelessness, mental health, or substance abuse issues 

• Experience utilizing the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) 

Physical Requirements: 

• Annual TB Test is required 

• Ability to sit or stand for long periods 

• Ability to lift items weighing 10-20 pounds 

Benefits: 

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance 

• 401K contributions with a 4% employer match 

• 13 Paid Holidays, 2 Floating Holidays and the opportunity to take your Birthday Off 

• Two Semi-Annual Team Building Events 

Equal Employment Opportunity: 

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy: Shelter House is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants. All employment-related decisions will be made and carried out without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age (over 40), sex, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability unrelated to the individual's ability to perform his or her job or any other legally protected status. Shelter House will also provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant and qualified employees with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of their job, and to employees with respect to their observance of their religious beliefs, in accordance with applicable law. Any job applicant or employee who would like or needs an accommodation may request an accommodation by contacting the Human Resources department. 

Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace Policy:  

Drug-Free Workplace: Shelter House is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace. Employment is contingent upon compliance with our Drug-Free Workplace Policy, which prohibits the unlawful manufacture, sale, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of controlled substances or marijuana in the workplace. Additionally, all subcontracts and purchase orders over $10,000 must include provisions ensuring a drug-free workplace.