About Swords to Plowshares

Founded in 1974, Swords to Plowshares is a community-based not-for-profit organization that provides counseling and case management, employment and training, housing, and legal assistance to veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area. We promote and protect the rights of veterans through advocacy, public education, and partnerships with local, state, and national entities. Believing that war causes wounds and suffering that last beyond the battlefield, our mission is to heal the wounds of war and to restore dignity, hope, and self-sufficiency to all veterans in need, and to end homelessness and poverty among those we serve. To learn more about Swords to Plowshares, please visit our website at www.swords-to-plowshares.org.

Job Title

SSVF Case Manager

Summary

The Case Manager will work in collaboration with the SSVF Program team and Drop-In Program staff in finding appropriate permanent housing and/or eviction prevention interventions for veterans enrolled in the program. The Case Manager will provide case management to veteran households making the transition into permanent housing as well as those at risk of losing their permanent housing. Utilizing evidence-based best practices, the Case Manager will assess, enroll and refer veterans to permanent housing and transitional placement services or assist the veteran family with homeless prevention services.

The Case Manager will utilize community-based partnerships with Supportive Housing Programs, VA VASH Voucher Program, and market-rate rental landlords to establish and expand housing resources and eviction prevention remedies. They will work to ensure the smooth transition into permanent housing and maintain a supportive relationship with the veteran to sustain permanent housing within the community. This function includes being a resource for staff regarding housing placements and applications. This position reports to the SSVF Program Managers and/or SSVF Program Coordinators.

Responsibilities

• Perform intakes, assessments to determine program eligibility and place program participants into permanent housing; coordinate eviction prevention services, review and append individualized housing stability plan as needed
• Maintain case management functions, e.g., record keeping, client services
• Refer and connect veteran clients with related supportive services
• Monitor and track participants’ progress in achieving their goals and objectives while maintaining timely and appropriate documentation, including progress notes, housing stability plans, aftercare plans, and discharge summaries
• Input HMIS/ETO/ECS data and record management
• Ability to conduct both in-person and remote housing inspections throughout the San Francisco, Alameda, San Mateo, Contra Costa, and Marin counties.
• Maintain a working understanding of the readjustment problems of veterans, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, alcohol and drug dependency, and other mental health issues
• Adhere to laws regarding confidentiality and reporting requirements; maintain a knowledge of current HIPAA policies and procedures
• Assist veteran households with money management and budgeting as needed
• Assist veterans with establishing disability income and other benefits as needed
• Participate in weekly client case conference meetings and weekly supervision with the SSVF Program Manager and other meetings as required
• Perform other related duties as required by the SSVF management staff
• Maintain an ability to carry out the essential duties of the position within what can be considered reasonable accommodation

Requirements

• Bachelor’s in behavioral sciences; relevant experience may be substituted
• Three (3) years experience working with “hard to serve” individuals, including homeless, substance abusers and those with mental health issues in areas of housing stabilization, placement and retention preferred
• Translatable military experience and skills may be alternatively substituted
• Understanding and basic knowledge of mental health symptoms and diagnoses, psychosocial stressors, and chemical dependency issues
• Crisis intervention, de-escalation and conflict resolution skills
• Good written and communication skills
• Listening skills
• Ability to work both independently as well as a team member
• Basic computer proficiency to include Microsoft Office applications and email
• Ability to operate copy machine, fax machine, multi-line phone.
• Repetitive hand movement using a computer keyboard in the performance of daily office activities
• Ability to sit for long periods of time
• Ability to travel for outreach to community partners/resources
• Ability to perform all functions of this position within what would be deemed reasonable accommodations
• Treat all clients and colleagues with dignity and respect
• Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of personalities and be comfortable working with an at-risk client population, including embracing the agency’s Cultural Humility Initiative
• Attention to detail in all facets of written, administrative and case management work.
• Strong organizational skills required

Required Skills

• Ability to multi-task
• Ability to manage budgets, timelines, and deadlines
• Ability to be flexible in a dynamic and diverse working environment
• Ability to work as a team player
• Good listening and interpersonal skills
• Physical requirements include the ability to sit for long periods and manage transportation to community meetings, client visits and housing inspections.
• Ability to manage a caseload of 50 clients.

Equipment used

• Personal computer, phone, fax

Salary & Benefits

Compensation is based on a competitive public interest salary scale. Swords to Plowshares offers a generous benefits package including the following benefits:

• Excellent medical and dental packages
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution
• 17 vacation days in the first year
• 12 holidays every year
• Wellness program

How to Apply

(No calls please)

Please submit a thoughtful cover letter explaining your interest in Swords to Plowshares, where/how you found out about this career opportunity, you may also include your strategic vision for solving veteran homelessness in the Bay Area. Email the cover letter along with your resume to jobs@stp-sf.org.

Please include the exact title for this position in the subject line of your email:

SSVF Case Manager

Swords to Plowshares is an inclusive employer and we are proud of the rich diversity among our staff. Please join us!

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement of Intent:

Swords to Plowshares is fully committed to the ongoing work of creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization. For us, this is a process and not a destination. We embrace the principles of cultural humility to create spaces where all people feel welcome, heard, and valued. We stand against injustice and discrimination of all kinds. This includes mistreatment based on race, age, color, veteran/military status, language, ethnic background, national origin, ancestry, ability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, other status protected by law, and the other qualities/traits that make you unique. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals.