Case Manager, Youth Transitional Housing

Job Title: Case Manager, Youth Transitional Housing

FLSA Status: Full-time, Exempt

Department: Youth Transitional Housing

Reports To: Case Manager Supervisor

Direct Reports: None

Date Issued: January 2020

Date revised: N/A

Housing Up builds thriving communities in Washington, DC by developing affordable housing and offering comprehensive support services to homeless and low-income families. In addition to being a nonprofit affordable housing developer, we provide permanent supportive housing, rapid re-housing and transitional housing. We believe that people who have safe, affordable housing and genuine opportunities are empowered to transform their lives.

Over the past 33 years, our organization has grown from serving 14 families in one building in Northwest DC to serving more than 900 families throughout the city. Housing Up is now one of the city’s largest homeless services providers and is a critical partner in the District’s plan to end family homelessness. Housing Up is a Housing First organization and is proud to be a critical partner in Mayor Muriel Bowser’s plan to make homelessness “rare, brief, and nonrecurring”.

Position Summary

The Youth Transitional Housing Case Manager is responsible for delivering intensive services for transition-aged youth clients (ages 18 – 24) who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of being homeless.   Additionally, clients may be economically and/or emotionally detached from their support network.  Through this work, the case manager will help youth improve basic life and interpersonal skills, access educational opportunities, assist with job preparation and attainment, access physical and mental health care, and obtain stable housing. The case manager will also link youth with public benefits, such as SNAP and Medicaid.   Ultimately, these services are focused on quickly moving youth out of homelessness, preventing a return to shelter, and ensuring that they are empowered to achieve the highest level of self-sufficiency possible.  While participating in this program, clients will live at a site-based transitional housing program, located in Washington, DC.

Essential Functions 

• Complete regular assessments of strengths and needs and identify supportive and accessible services that meet the immediate needs.
• Influence and recognize positive behavior changes and identify problems and obstacles that threaten to undermine the client’s goals.
• Develop mutually agreed upon client-identified goals and objectives.
• Assist clients with identifying the steps required to accomplish goals to move towards greater self-sufficiency.
• Assist clients in advocating for and obtaining benefits, entitlements, and legal services.
• Provide referrals as needed to supportive services and work collaboratively as a team to advance the goals of the client.
• Provide crisis intervention services and if necessary, refer clients for psychiatric assessment.
• Responsible for care coordination with service providers for clients, including primary and ongoing medical, mental health, substance abuse, and supportive services.
• Maintain current and well-organized records in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) database and paper case files, documenting interactions with residents in a standardized format used by Housing Up.
• Provide at least weekly face to face case management services.
• Works closely with client’s families, as clinically appropriate, and puts services in place that facilitate strong connections or that address relational patterns that precipitated the presenting problems.
• Establish new and maintain existing partnerships with community-based agencies for the purpose of serving clients.
• Develop and maintain community partnerships with other providers.
• Ensure the integrity and confidentiality of all client information.
• Participate in Housing Up special events, helping to share information about Housing Up and working, as needed, to ensure event success.
• Participate in training as needed.
• Coordinate daily activities for the program.
• Other duties as required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field (preferred) OR high school diploma/equivalent and 3 years of direct service experience;
• Sensitivity to the needs of youth (particularly youth of color, LGBTQ, low-income, and those who have experienced trauma) who are homeless or at risk for homelessness.
• ·Familiarity with the Strengths-Based and Housing First approaches to case management.
• Well-versed in trauma-informed service delivery, with experience executing this approach in housing programs.
• Ability to provide services with empathy and with consideration of how trauma impacts the mental, physical, and psychological responses of clients.
• Demonstrated ability to partner with youth who have experienced mental health challenges, trauma, crisis, and community stress and successfully empower them to overcome their challenges.
• Ability to establish and maintain trusting relationships – patience & perseverance.
• Ability to de-escalate crisis
• Excellent verbal, written and problem-solving abilities.  An upbeat demeanor is required.
• Working knowledge of DC area community resources to address client needs.
• Knowledge of substance abuse/recovery, family systems, and mental health care.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong documentation and reporting skills.
• Strong planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to prioritize effectively while managing multiple tasks and responsibilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• One (1) year of experience working with young adults is preferred.

Work Environment/Physical Effort

The case manager will primarily work from a site-based transitional housing program in Washington, DC, which operates 24 hours, 7 days weekly. Employees here will require flexibility to work night and/or weekend shifts as needed.

Requires ability to sit up to 3-6 hours per day with intermittent occasional walking and standing.

Must be available to participate in after hours on-call rotation, as well as be on call during inclement weather.

 Salary and Benefits

Salary $50,000-$55,000. This position is eligible for a $2,000 sign-on bonus!

Housing Up offers a competitive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plan with company match, paid vacation and sick leave, commuter benefits, tuition assistance, new hire/referral bonuses, professional development budgets, and a work environment aimed at a healthy work-life balance.

Vaccine Protocol

Housing Up has made the safety of our clients, staff, and our surrounding communities a top priority. As part of that commitment, all staff are required to be vaccinated against COVID. As a prospective and/or new employee at Housing Up, you will be required to comply with the organization’s vaccination protocol. Proof of full vaccination will be required before the start of employment to work at any Housing Up location. Prospective or new employees may seek a medical or religious exemption to the vaccination requirement from human resources and must have an approved exemption prior to the start of their employment. Failure to provide proof of vaccination or to obtain approval for medical or religious exemption will result in the offer of employment being rescinded.

Housing Up is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.