Temporary Case Manager - The Way Out Center

DEPARTMENT: THE WAY OUT CENTER

POSITION TITLE: CASE MANAGER

STATUS: TEMPORARY FULL-TIME, NON-EXEMPT

SUPERVISOR: PROGRAM MANAGER

MISSION STATEMENT:

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

SCOPE OF POSITION:

The Case Manager may provide front-line homeless outreach services to engage, enroll, navigate, and ultimately provide center/housing referrals to individuals experiencing homelessness from the streets into The Way Out Center or more appropriate temporary housing options. This positions responsibilities occur in multiple potential settings: front desk coverage at The Way Out Center, Community Partner Agencies (Emergency Center, Social Service Agencies, Mental Health/Substance Abuse Treatment Partner Agencies, Community Corrections/Jail/Prison, etc.), and any other place that individuals experiencing homelessness congregate. The Case Manager also provides support to individuals residing at The Way Out Center to help program participants regain control of their lives through recovery from addiction, mental health issues, and substance use challenges while seeking permanent housing. This involves working with individuals to identify goals and making progress toward those goals, helping them to get housing readiness trainings, permanent housing, and achieve housing stability. The Case Manager may have contact with the public or office environments that may risk exposure to irrational/hostile behavior, typical/extreme weather conditions, contagious parasites/diseases, or contact with domestic animals.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:

• Associate’s Degree required, Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• 12 months direct work experience with individuals experiencing homelessness

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Knowledge of social services, local resources and referrals as appropriate
• Possess general computer and keyboarding skills
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel), recordkeeping systems, or willing to learn
• Effective communication, both verbally and in writing
• Demonstrate effective personal and situational awareness
• Flexible, relatable, and reliable
• Self-motivated and work with minimum supervision
• Be an active listener by asking questions and reflecting what is being said
• Maintain healthy boundaries with participants and fellow staff members
• Manage time effectively
• Make decisions based on Established Policies and Procedures manual
• Support Recovery and Resiliency in participants with mental health issues, substance use challenges
• Model tools and techniques to assist participants with mental health issues, and/or substance use challenges obtain and maintain permanent housing
• Successfully participate in TSA Spokane’s Employee Development training program
• Skills Training interventions that support participants in achieving recovery goals
• Impact of income on participants benefits (SSDI, SSI, Food Stamps, Housing Subsidies)
• Provide social services, local resources, and referrals as appropriate
• Peer Support Certification preferred; required within 90 days of hire
• Over 21 years of age
• Possess a Valid Driver’s License
• Pass a Criminal and Driver Background Check
• Have or complete De-escalation training
• Proficiency with CMIS/HMIS software preferred
• Current WA State Food Handler’s Card, Bloodborne Pathogen and CPR/First Aid Certification or obtain within 30 days of hire

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES:

• Represent The Salvation Army and respect and work within its Christian tenets
• Provide outreach services outside The Way Out Center to recruit program applicants
• Aid program applicants to gather or request photo ID, birth certificates, mental health and substance abuse evaluations, disability services and employment
• Provide support, information and referral services as appropriate to program applicants
• Establish/maintain professional, respectful and positive relationships with coworkers, applicants and community partners
• Complete the pre-screen and application process alongside the applicant
• Address applicants needs/concerns fairly and professionally; coordinate with supervision
• Develop/maintain strong ties to the community, law enforcement, and other homeless service providers
• Complete applicant’s placement into the center once approved
• Manage the front desk area when required
• Assist participants by engagement, case management, community resources, and services to support their housing search efforts to achieve permanent housing stability
• Provide and advocate for any effective recovery based services that will aid the participant in daily living
• Identify barriers to permanent housing and develop strategies to overcome those barriers
• Develop a collaborative individualized, strengths-based case plan inclusive of action steps for permanent housing search related issues
• Work with the participant to set goals and develop a Permanent Housing Plan with the assistance of the case management
• Update the Case plan as the participants needs and circumstances change
• Complete progress notes to document the participants progress toward housing and permanent housing stability
• Provide coaching, advocacy, information, and referral, linkage and coordination with resources, and ongoing supports
• Assist with completion of required paperwork
• Share lived experiences to support the individual in the housing search process
• Promote self-advocacy by assisting participants to have their voices heard; their needs, goals, and objectives established as the focal point of recovery
• Assist participants in building social skills in the community that will enhance permanent housing acquisition and retention
• Serve as a link between participants and other needed services
• Schedule/provide guest transportation to/from appointments, meetings, and employment as required
• Facilitate Life Skills Classes on a weekly basis-develop topics and skills to be taught, practiced, and modeled throughout the housing search process, other housing related issues, and housing stability
• Develop meaningful relationships with landlords and property management companies to facilitate timely, accurate referrals for housing opportunities
• Maintains required level of security each shift
• Ensure that all supplies are properly stored ready to be used by the co-workers or guest
• Build “Trust”; be consistent, trustworthy, and honest
• Complete documentation and data entry tasks on assigned shifts without delay.
• Assist with seasonal/special Events as assigned
• Perform other tasks as assigned

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or continuous basis
• Grasp, push, pull objects such as files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead
• Operate multi-line telephone
• Operate a desktop or laptop computer
• Lift up to 30 pounds regularly and 50 pounds occasionally
• Access and produce information from a computer
• Understand written information
• Sweep, clean, shovel snow, operate snow blower; perform janitorial tasks as needed

Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. A qualified person with a disability may request a modification or adjustment to the job or work environment in order to meet the physical requirements of the position. The Salvation Army will attempt to satisfy requests as long as the accommodation needed is reasonable and no undue hardship would result.

The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled