Newhouse Hiring for Case Manager (Housing Specialist) at Kansas City, MO Full Time

The Case Manager (Housing Specialist) will leverage supportive services to secure and stabilize housing for individuals who are homeless due to domestic violence. These services include, but are not limited to, housing relocation, evictions, housing search, financial coaching, housing counseling, and liaising community organizations, government agencies, and property owners. The Case Manager (Housing Specialist) will collaborate with team members to implement new housing and employment strategies aimed at linking domestic violence services, housing, case management, and employment services with the goal of making rapid client progress toward living-wage employment and stability.

A qualified applicant will be able to model extraordinary advocacy skills in the following areas: crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, problem-solving, answering the crisis calls, providing resource referrals, completing needs assessments, supplying basic needs, safety planning, de-escalating residents who may become triggered, providing emotional support, and coordinating and monitoring self-directed caseloads within a multi-disciplinary team.

Case Managers must have the flexibility to travel offsite with clients to coordinate or accompany clients to appointments or other community resources. For all clients served, our goal is to help clients feel more in control of their lives and reduce the barriers that feed the cycle of abuse and lead to houselessness.

Case Managers are expected to deliver a minimum of 20 hours of direct service to clients weekly, which equates to approximately 22-25 cases. They must also have the flexibility to travel offsite with clients to coordinate or accompany clients to appointments or other community resources.

All Newhouse team members must be able to adapt to a continually evolving environment and thrive in an autonomous and deadline-oriented workplace.

SCHEDULE + BENEFITS

This is a full-time, hourly position (starting at $19/hour) that reports directly to the Vice President of Shelter Operations. Scheduled workdays will be Monday- Friday or Tuesday – Saturday. General work hours are 8am- 5pm or 9am-6pm, however, flexibility is required to meet the needs of our clients which may include evening or weekend hours occasionally.

Employees are eligible to receive 100% employer paid health and dental benefits. Voluntary vision benefits are available. 401(k) with a 4% match is available for all staff, following a 90-day qualifying period. EAP (Employee Assistance Program) and a generous PTO package are also provided.

Principal Accountabilities

• Conduct strengths-based assessment of housing placement barriers and work with clients to develop plans for obtaining and maintaining permanent housing.
• Work closely with clients to address and resolve financial barriers to housing stability such as credit repair, debt reduction and other financial services.
• Work in partnership with clients to develop strategies and short- and long-term goals for obtaining and maintaining employment.
• Provide case-management to clients that support forward progress on goals aligned with their individualized action plans.
• Conduct financial coaching sessions with clients that include helping them to understand housing requirements, create and adhere to budgets and build other skills needed for independent living.
• Evaluate and assess the level of financial and other support for clients regularly to determine the level of interventions.
• Whenever necessary, facilitate and conduct housing search with each client per individual needs, including attending site visits, assisting with application completion, sharing landlord connections.
• Assess for need and provide rental, utility or move-in assistance which includes inspection of housing units for HUD habitability standards.
• Outreach, collaborate, build, and maintain relationships with landlords, housing programs and other community agencies.
• Maintain knowledge of Jackson County resources and provide appropriate referrals to address barriers to stable housing and employment, i.e., medical, mental health, chemical dependency, domestic violence, education, immigration, children’s issues.
• Participate in required meetings as determined by your supervisor.
• Track participant activities and ensure timely and accurate collection of program data as outlined by management team.
• Collect and input client data into agency approved database in a timely manner, by the end of the week the service was provided.
• Assist team members with ongoing continuous quality improvement to enhance program operations, including problem solving, helping to develop program systems or procedures, or participating in team workgroups.
• Assist in training/informing team members on current housing guidelines and HUD compliance.
• Provide support to clients while addressing their concerns and crisis situations to maintain stability during the housing process.
• Provide 18-20 hours of case management services weekly.
• Other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE, ABILITIES + QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in human services, Social Work, or related field. Experience accepted in lieu of degree.
• Other degrees along with experience may be accepted in lieu of a human service-related degree, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Case Management experience preferred.
• Must have reliable, independent transportation for frequent home visits and between sites.
• Keen interpersonal skills, being sensitive to our Trauma Informed Care and Inclusive Culture of Belonging models.
• Alignment and adherence to the Newhouse mission, vision, and principles.
• Comfortable in a high performing, fast-paced and quickly growing organization; demonstrated ability to achieve high performance goals, meet deadlines and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Dedicated to the details and masterful at multi-tasking. Ability to organize and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Efficient computer literacy skills, including Microsoft Office.
• Must possess executive maturity, sound judgment and a professional appearance.
• Integrity, honesty, and high ethical standards.

WORK CONDITIONS

The physical demands and characteristics of the work environment described here are representative of those occurring in a typical office environment. While performing the essential functions of this job, the employee is frequently required to lift and carry 20 lbs., climb stairs and maintain composure in stressful situations. There are times the shelter must go into privacy mode for the privacy or safety of staff/residents. The intercom system is used to communicate these needs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

AT WILL EMPLOYMENT

There is no minimum period of employment guaranteed or implied by acceptance of an employment offer. It is the policy of Newhouse that employment is at will, which means that employment is for no specific term and that employment may be terminated by the employee or Newhouse at any time without cause.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY + AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

Newhouse is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We celebrate diversity and know that in serving a diverse population and employing a diverse team, we position our organization and community to thrive. We promote diversity of thought, culture and background and are committed to a work environment of belonging that gives voice to, supports, inspires, and respects all individuals.

Employment at Newhouse is solely based on a person’s aptitude, qualifications and professional competence. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion or religious creed, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship, or other characteristics protected by state or federal law or local ordinance.

Note: This position description is not intended to be all-inclusive. You may be required to perform other related duties within your skill set as negotiated and/or directed to meet the ongoing needs of your department and the organization.