Case Manager

ABOUT THE POSITION: Provide trauma-informed case management services designed to prevent homelessness and stabilize housing for residents. This includes assessment, information and referral, goal setting, direct advocacy, cooperative case planning, and coordination of services. The Case Manager will assist and empower residents to make necessary connections with community providers to stabilize their lives. This is a unionized position, represented by Local 8 of the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU).

ABOUT THE PROGRAM: Since 1999, Cascade Women’s Program has provided a safe place to live and access to vital resources for female-identifying individuals experiencing homelessness in Seattle. The program provides 32 units of permanent housing, along with case management and support from a skilled, compassionate staff.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: Compass Housing Alliance develops and provides essential services and affordable housing for homeless and low-income people in the greater Puget Sound region. We envision a world in which every person lives in a safe and caring community. Compass offers an open, supportive, and challenging work environment committed to promoting the dignity and well-being of each person that we serve. We consider the diversity of the staff, guests, residents and community partners to be an important asset. We recognize the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to the organization. To learn more about the agency visit www.compasshousingalliance.org.

LOCATION: South Lake Union neighborhood in Seattle, WA

REPORTS TO: Program Manager

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

SCHEDULE: Tuesday-Thursday 8:30am-5pm, Friday 8:30am-4:30pm & Saturday 7:15am-3:45pm; with biweekly staff meeting 2nd and 3rd Wednesdays

SALARY RANGE: $19.71 (Level 1) or $21.31 (Level 2 - MSW or other relevant clinical master’s degree) per hour

BENEFITS: Unlimited Orca Transportation Pass, Medical/Prescription/Vision, Dental, $500 Health Flexible Spending Account 4 Weeks of Paid Time Off (PTO) & 11 Paid Holidays, Retirement Plan, Employee Assistance Program

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time. The employee in this position must be able to read, write, and understand English.

Case Management

• Provide trauma-informed case management utilizing motivational interviewing and strength-based techniques to assigned residents.
  • Establish goals and objectives.
  • Monitor achievements through regular meetings.
  • Identify barriers and steps necessary to overcome them.
  • Provide information, referrals, and direct advocacy as needed, utilizing both internal and external resources.
  • Work with supervisor to devise and implement corrective action plans for residents failing to meet goals.

• Foster a safe and healthy milieu by modeling appropriate behaviors and initiating and engaging rapport with residents.
• Mediate conflicts and provide de-escalation and crisis intervention; model appropriate problem solving and refer to appropriate clinical services as needed.
• Assist with program entrance and exit, as needed.
• Per program policy, screen individuals by phone and in person for appropriateness for shelter program; complete intake assessment, housing agreement and orientation to program.
• To support housing stability and retention, work with property management and residents in successful tenancy practices and resolutions.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with a network of community providers and services to address and advocate for client needs.
• Provide supportive leadership to volunteers and other staff on site serving residents.

Leadership

• Advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of the work. Compass considers the diversity of the staff, it’s clients, and community partners to be an important asset. All Compass employees are expected to make efforts in their work and in their conduct to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion, at every level.
• Maintain a favorable working relationship with all other agency employees to foster and promote a cooperative and harmonious working climate.
• Project a favorable image of the organization in order to promote its aims and objectives, and foster and enhance public recognition and acceptance of all of its areas of endeavor.
• Perform all duties and responsibilities in a timely and effective manner in accordance with established agency policies to achieve the overall objectives of this position.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• None.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrated ability to maintain a caseload, provide case management, crisis counseling, advocacy, and referral services to residents.
• Demonstrated knowledge of local resources and services for individuals who are experiencing housing instability.
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in de-escalation, crisis intervention and stabilization skills.
• Promotes a team environment that values, encourages and supports differences.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team particularly to be able to exercise sound decision making in the absence of supervision, with strong collaboration skills.
• Ability to set and maintain boundaries in a professional manner.
• Ability to follow agency policy and procedures to maintain safety and security within the facility.
• Ability to enter data accurately; create log entries and case notes; prepare written reports and generate statistical reports.
• Work independently and as part of a team, particularly to exercise sound decision making in the absence of supervision, with strong collaboration skills.
• Sensitive to and able to communicate and work effectively with individuals from diverse economic circumstances, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, physical and mental abilities, and sexual orientations.
• Relate openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people, while valuing their differences.
• Model sound interpersonal boundaries and emotional intelligence.
• Manage difficult interpersonal situations effectively.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to communicate effectively about technical problems and solutions.
• Strong problem solving, time and project management skills are required to be successful in this role.
• Ability and aptitude with technology necessary for successful day-to-day functioning in business environment including various databases, Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Outlook, etc., and Internet technology.
• Valid WA driver’s license, proof of car insurance, and a driving record that meets Compass standards, required.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• A Bachelor’s degree strongly desired, in human services or psychology, a plus. Master’s degree preferred in social work or a related field.
• A minimum of 1-year experience in case management experience, desired.
• 2+ years’ experience working in a human services setting related to housing and homelessness, desired.
• Demonstrated familiarity with issues of homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse, sexual assault, and/or domestic violence, required.
• Awareness and/or training around issues of equity, intersectionality, and belonging.
• Current WA State Food Handlers Permit, desired (If not current, will be sponsored within 1-month of hire).
• Or relevant work experience, certificate and/or equivalent continuing professional development or education.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.
• The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to finger/ handle/feel/type, and reach with hands and arms. Requires the ability to occasionally push, pull, lift and/or carry supplies up to 20 pounds.
• Work takes place in a housing environment where long periods of sitting, working on a computer, walking to various work areas, going up and down stairs, and standing are required.
• Travel to program sites and meetings outside the office and around the county are necessary.

Mental efforts like attention to detail, interacting with others in-person and through email, using critical thinking skills to strategize, develop and implement business plans, create and edit documents, listen and participate verbally at meetings.

In compliance with the ADA Amendment Act, should you have a disability that requires assistance and/or reasonable accommodation with the job application process, please contact the Human Resources department via phone at 206-474-1100 or via e-mail at HRInfo@compasshousingalliance.org.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is normal. Compass programs are housed within a human services environment in the Seattle area. Our diverse tenant community includes many single, formerly homeless adults who lack any family support system. Compounding the constraints of poverty, our client community includes the physically and mentally disabled, persons living with AIDS, those who struggle with chemical dependencies, veterans, and vulnerable, elderly adults. Working at Compass will mean that you will be in close proximity to the people we serve.

This position is not eligible for remote work, it requires onsite work only.

Compass facilities are monitored with camera surveillance equipment for safety and security purposes. The cameras will generally be utilized only in public areas where there is not a reasonable expectation of privacy. However, please be aware that in our housing facilities, some residents may choose to utilize their own private surveillance equipment within their units.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT

Compass Housing Alliance is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity and treats all employees and applicants equally without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, creed, disability, familial status, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, parental status, political ideology, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, use of section 8 certificate, use of service animal, and all other groups protected by law, and promotes diversity in its workforce. Compass Housing Alliance takes affirmative action to implement programs and maintain practices and policies that eliminate barriers to equal employment opportunity. Our program is available for review by employees and applicants for employment in the Human Resources Office during regular office hours.