Sr Case Manager - Project Serve

Senior Case Manager - Project Serve

Living Classrooms Foundation strengthens communities and inspires young people to achieve their potential through hands-on education and job training, using urban, natural, and maritime resources as "living classrooms".

The Workforce Development Department of Living Classrooms Foundation includes the Broadway Overlook Community Center, which houses the Adult Resource Center and Project SERVE.  Project SERVE is a 4-month job training program that teaches marketable skills in construction, general carpentry, solid waste removal, and landscaping, while participants revitalize Baltimore neighborhoods and work with career coaches to find sustainable living-wage employment. Program goals are to train and place participants, many of whom are returning citizens, in employment while providing support services.  In addition, SERVE helps keep city neighborhoods clean and safe by reducing environmental hazards and risks to public safety. Project SERVE offers a full continuum of support services, beginning prior to release from incarceration, and continuing through a 12 month after-care component that includes regular contact with career coaches.  

The Senior Case Manager is responsible for supervising career coaches at the Broadway Overlook Community Center.   S/he is responsible for ensuring participants receive guidance from career coaches in setting goals and creating plans for goal achievement.  In general, this includes assistance with the employment process, provision of job retention services, and cultivation of relationships, both with participants and potential employers.  The Senior Case Manager reports directly to the Director of Workforce Development.

Summary of Essential Job Functions

 Member Development (Direct Service)

• Guide members in setting career, educational, and life goals; and in creating plans to achieve these goals.
• Implement a policy which clearly defines the requirements for a member to continue receiving career development support.
• Prepare members for an organized job search, including the securing of ID, understanding background issues, creating current resumes and reference letters, and utilizing time management tools.
• Assist members in selecting and securing better employment.
• Prepare members for successful job interviews.
• Provide job retention services to help address issues before they lead to separation from employment.
• Focus on long term career path, and a specific time frame for each job.
• Encourage member participation in educational programs, particularly for those lacking a high school diploma.
• Coordinate the overall activities of case management staff.

 Data Entry

• Maintain daily records to document service provided to members, employers, and other supporting agencies.
• Maintain and improve the data tracking system design.
• Track all program participants for one year including individual case notes and employment retention data.

 Program Partnerships

• Work with committed employers to understand and meet their human resource and business needs.
• Develop new employer relationships that will increase career opportunities for successful members.
• Develop and maintain relationships with outside agencies to provide support services
• Facilitate and maintain relationships with partners and referral agencies

 Administrative

• Manage case management department, including conducting regular performance evaluations, goals and actions, and file audits
• Interpret grant performance goals into service plan outcomes
• Administer assessments related to program eligibility and identify risk factors that could impact participant success
• Train and supervise Staff
• Facilitate intake of new members
• Assist LCF Development with drafting proposals and submitting RFP’s
• Prepare and submit reports for funding connected to member development and case management
• Monitor services for quality assurance

 General Skills and Duties

• Willingness to work as a team to meet Project SERVE’s mission, objectives, and yearly goals.
• Commitment to honesty and integrity in the performance of all duties.            

Qualifications

·       Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) preferred

·       Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW), Psychology, Counseling, Criminal Justice, or a related social/behavioral science field

·       Bilingual – a plus

·       Ability to work effectively with people of diverse educational and cultural backgrounds, from justice-involved individuals to public officials

·       Two-three years’ experience in delivering case management services

·       Expertise in identifying local labor market data and effectively translating this information to participants

·       Knowledge and experience working with the criminal justice system

·       Excellent verbal and written communication skills required

·       Computer literacy, including knowledge of basic software applications and familiarity with the Internet, email, social media, and other forms of computer – and phone-based communication

·       Driven to attain measurable results

·       Ability to foster a cooperative work environment

·       Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships