Housing Focused Case Manager

Job purpose

The mission of Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission (HOTV) is to prevent, reduce, and eliminate poverty, hunger, and homelessness by offering immediate assistance and long-term solutions. 

Working under the supervision of the Program Manager, the Housing Focused Case Manager fulfills the mission of the Hope of Valley Rescue Mission by successfully providing direct services to homeless participants in HOTV's Family Interim Housing Program. 

Duties and responsibilities

• Responsible for providing support to homeless families in the following areas: housing focused case management, housing readiness, accessing housing assistance programs, completing housing applications, advocacy, housing search and placement, etc.

• Conduct CES assessment to determine appropriate permanent housing intervention and service needs

• Navigate persons to permanent housing placement or programs that will assist with safe and stable housing - Rapid Rehousing, DHS- Housing for Health, Homeless Section 8, Tenant-Based Supportive Housing, Housing Choice Voucher Program, HOPWA, VASH, Project Based Housing, SRO, Shared Housing, Low Income Housing, etc.

• Responsible to develop a Housing & Services Plan (HSP) to streamline participants towards permanent housing and specific goals

• Connect program participants to community resources that will support the goal of permanent housing acquisition (credit repair, legal aid, housing rights, etc.)

• Coordinate transportation for participants to housing appointments (Unit viewings, Housing Authority Interviews, etc.)

• Assist clients in obtaining move-in assistance resources as available (deposit assistance, furniture, etc.)

• Responsible to work in collaboration with shelter support Staff

• Follow-up with each participant on a regular basis to ensure they are making progress towards their goals

• Responsible to complete and maintain current documents required for the client files, including assessments, individualized housing plans, case notes, housing applications, housing vouchers, lease agreements, exit reports, etc.

• Travel is required for this position. 

Other duties include

• Develop and maintain professional working relationships with landlords, sober livings, and other housing providers to establish a “database” of available housing units

• Attend and participate in Team Meetings, Trainings, Case Conferencing, CES Meetings, Coalition Meetings, Homeless Services Meetings, etc.

• Responsible for maintaining thorough and accurate records in both written form (hard copies) and through the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) is required

• Responsible for meeting specific performance outcomes for applicable LAHSA contracts

• Submitting reports, documentation and connecting with outside agencies

• Establish and/or maintain good rapport and working arrangements with co-workers, including the management team and other staff

• Facilitate and supervise regularly scheduled departmental staff meetings and resident house meetings; 

• Uphold all HOTV and LAHSA Rules, Regulations, and Policies.

• Use de-escalation and mediation techniques to help clients work through conflict 

• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Understand and support the mission statement of Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work or related field or three (3) years' experience working with the homeless or similar population (preferably in a housing related capacity) preferred

• Must possess solid proficiency of Microsoft Office Suite

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Must possess basic grammar and spelling skills

• Possess the necessary initiative, adaptability, and responsibility to work with minimum supervision

• Excellent time management skills. Must possess the ability to meet deadlines and work with attention to detail

• Must possess excellent problem-solving skills

• Ability to interact with others professionally

• Knowledge of Housing First, Harm Reduction, and Trauma Informed principles preferred

• Knowledge of HUD guidelines on Subsidized Housing Programs preferred

• Experience working with a diverse population, with sensitivity to differences in culture, religion, sexual orientation, race, age, and physical and mental illness preferred

• Valid CPR/First Aid certification or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire

• Must be TB-cleared prior to hiring

• A criminal background check is required

• Live scan is required

• Local travel may be required

• A Valid CA driver's license is required

Employment Classification

• FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

• Payroll Status:    Hourly

• Work Schedule:  Full Time

PHYSICAL DEMANDS, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, EQUIPMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. Employee is required to: Walk and climb stairs; stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or sometimes continuous basis; Grasp, push, pull objects such as files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead; Handle, finger, grasp and feel objects and equipment; Reach with hands and arms; Be mobile by moving oneself from place to place quickly and easily; Repeat various motions with the wrists, hands, and fingers; Be able to perform visual activities for (including, but not limited to) administrative and clerical tasks; Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. Communicate, receive and exchange ideas, information by means of the spoken and written word; Drive vehicle in and around Los Angeles County; Be able to enter various buildings that may require climbing stairs. Be periodically subjected to outside environmental conditions. Employee may work in proximity to service animals and emotional support animals; Use a desktop and/or laptop computer; copy, postage, and fax machines. Complete all required forms in personal writing.

Work Environment:

The employee may be in contact with individuals and families in crisis who may be ill, using alcohol and drugs, and who may not be attentive to basic personal hygiene, health and safety practices. The employee may experience a number of unpleasant sensory demands associated with the clients use of alcohol and drugs, and lack of personal hygiene. The employee must be ready to respond quickly and effectively to many types of situations, including crisis situations and potentially hostile situations. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate in an office setting. Sometimes work may become stressful when working under pressure.

• EEO: HOTV (Hope of the Valley) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, HOTV complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, placement, promotion, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

HOTV will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if HOTV is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing’s Fair Chance Act webpage.