Case Manager Veterans Emergency Shelter Program – Special Circumstances

POSITION:                                Case Manager

PROGRAM/LOCATION:         Veterans Emergency Shelter Program – Special Circumstances (VESP-SC)

                                                   Boccardo Reception Center, San Jose, CA

SUPERVISOR:                          Program Manager

STATUS:                                    Full-time, Non-exempt

PROGRAM SUMMARY:

The Veterans Emergency Shelter Program – Special Circumstances (VESP-SC) provides qualified homeless veterans with up to 60 days of emergency shelter and supportive services at the agency’s Boccardo Reception Center (BRC) facility in San Jose.  In collaboration with the local VA Palo Alto Health Care System, VESP-SC has an 8-bed capacity.  The goal of VESP-SC is to assist homeless veterans with a criminal sex offense to successfully transition from homelessness into more stable living conditions and to help participants increase their self-sufficiency.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide shelter-based and community-based case management services to program participants
• Conduct client intake for homeless veterans, including eligibility verification, self-sufficiency assessment, and needs assessment
• Work with program participants to develop and implement an individual case management plan, and provide support to help them achieve their goals.
• Meet regularly with program participants at a frequency determined by the clients’ needs and contract requirements
• Conduct ongoing re-assessments of the clients’ needs and self-sufficiency
• Provide appropriate referrals to other community services
• Build relationships and work with individual landlords and other longer-term housing providers to establish placements for clients and address client tenancy issues/problems once clients are placed
• Collaborate with community partners regarding support services for clients
• Document, via HMIS, all case management activity within three business days and maintain all other case file paperwork and documentation
• Attend and actively participate in team and program meetings, activities, and problem-solving endeavors, and contribute to open lines of communication within the team
• Organize and coordinate workshops that deal with issues pertinent to program participants as appropriate
• Utilize supervision appropriately while maintaining open lines of communication and providing updates on intake activity
• Make timely and accurate decisions in emergency or crisis situations with awareness of the need for the safety of all participants involved, including mandated reporting
• Conduct program outreach
• Know and implement agency, program policies, and procedures
• Maintain professional relations and conduct
• Assist with office-related tasks as needed
• Attend all internal and external meetings and training relevant to the position
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience

• Required bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 1 year of relevant work experience (bachelor’s degree may be substituted by a high school diploma or GED and an additional 2 years of relevant work experience)
• MSW preferred

Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office
• Understanding of and sensitivity to Veteran issues, the needs of the homeless, and those with criminal backgrounds
• US Military Veteran is desired but not required.
• Detail-oriented with good problem-solving skills and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks
• Ability to work with people of diverse social backgrounds and professional rank
• Knowledge and understanding of community resources and human services
• Experience networking in the local community
• Initiative, flexibility, and the capacity to respond effectively in all situations
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision
• Good computer skills, including proficiency in Office applications and the internet

Other

• Valid CA driver’s license and auto insurance
• Reliable personal vehicle
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs. on occasion
• Ability to visit clients in their homes, which may require walking upstairs

Benefits of joining the HomeFirst team

• Professional growth opportunities within the organization
• 100% medical coverage for employees with an option to add dependents at a shared cost
• 401k match up to 4%
• 11 observed Holidays
• Generous PTO accrual begins with 120 hours annually and increases with tenure
• 4 hours of Community Engagement are provided annually
• Access to our Emergency Assistance Program (EAP) services
• Pet Insurance options are available

About HomeFirst Services:

Established in 1980, with 40+ years of experience, we are a premier homelessness services provider.  We believe that everyone has the potential to get housed and stay housed. We relentlessly focus on eliminating barriers to housing and creating stability for everyone we serve.

HomeFirst Services serves more than 6,000 adults, veterans, families, and young adults each year at multiple locations.

Services include:

• Homelessness prevention
• Emergency and cold-weather shelters
• Comprehensive Veterans’ Services
• Rapid Rehousing programs
• Bridge Housing Communities
• Emergency Interim Housing
• Affordable permanent housing
• Permanent Supportive housing
• Street-based outreach
• Coordinated Entry System operation

HomeFirst Services is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. Additionally, HomeFirst Services participates in the E-Verify program, as required by law.

HomeFirst Services is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please let your recruiter know.