Behavioral Health Dorm Case Manager

The Lighthouse Mission • Bellingham, WA

20d • Onsite

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Dorm Case Manager is part of LMM’s Shelter Operations team and provides consistent, relationship-based support to residents experiencing mental health symptoms, substance use disorders, trauma, cognitive challenges, or recurring crises. The Case Manager helps residents establish goals, maintain stability, connect with community resources, and move toward housing and supportive services. This role requires sound judgment, emotional steadiness, professional boundaries, and calm decision-making in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate works collaboratively with shelter staff and community providers while offering compassionate, grace-based support balanced with clear accountability.

Requirements

• At least three years of combined relevant education and experience working with people experiencing crisis, serious mental health concerns, substance use disorders, addiction recovery, homelessness, trauma, psychology-related needs, or closely related human services. Relevant postsecondary education may be counted toward the three-year requirement.
• Working knowledge of mental illness, co-occurring disorders, substance use, trauma, homelessness, poverty, domestic violence, recovery, and the ways these conditions may affect behavior and functioning.
• Demonstrated ability to respond calmly and effectively to crisis, behavioral escalation, emotional distress, and confrontational situations.
• Demonstrated motivational interviewing, de-escalation, active-listening, and collaborative problem-solving skills.
• Ability to recognize warning signs and follow established protocols related to suicide risk, self-harm, overdose, violence, abuse, neglect, psychiatric crisis, and medical emergencies.
• Ability to understand and maintain role clarity. This is a nonclinical case management position and does not diagnose, prescribe, or independently provide psychotherapy or medical treatment.
• Strong professional boundaries, emotional regulation, self-reflection, dependability, and appropriate use of supervision.
• Sound judgment and the ability to make appropriate independent decisions while knowing when consultation, escalation, or emergency intervention is required.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with applicable privacy requirements, mandatory-reporting obligations, and organizational policies.
• Sensitivity to cultural diversity in all forms and the ability to provide respectful services to people with varied backgrounds, beliefs, identities, abilities, and life experiences.
• Ability to establish and maintain rapport with residents while holding clear expectations and accountability.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team with LMM staff and a diverse resident population.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for interaction with residents, coworkers, volunteers, providers, and outside agencies.
• Ability to maintain organized, timely, accurate, and objective case documentation.
• Ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, Gmail, Google Calendar, and electronic case-management systems.
• Ability to successfully pass pre-employment criminal background screenings and comply with LMM's drug-free work environment.
• Ability to report to the worksite as regularly scheduled and remain awake, alert, and responsive throughout the shift.
• A passion for serving Jesus and making the Gospel known through mercy ministry.
• The successful candidate will have an active church and prayer life and be in agreement with LMM's Statement of Faith and Personal Covenant.
• Applicants must be committed to the Christian faith and comply with LMM's drug-free policy.

Nice To Haves

• Direct experience providing case management, crisis intervention, residential support, behavioral health services, or recovery support is strongly preferred.
• Education in psychology, social work, human services, behavioral health, addiction studies, counseling, Biblical or Christian studies, or a closely related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage an assigned caseload by assessing resident needs, developing goals, monitoring progress, and meeting regularly one-on-one.
• Build trust-based relationships while maintaining professional boundaries and using LMM’s grace-based accountability approach.
• Recognize and respond to behavioral, emotional, or safety concerns, promptly involving leadership, behavioral health providers, crisis services, or emergency responders as appropriate.
• Complete required safety screenings and response procedures within training and scope. This position does not diagnose or provide clinical treatment.
• Use trauma-informed, recovery-oriented approaches, including motivational interviewing, de-escalation, active listening, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Coordinate referrals and continuity of care with behavioral health, substance use, medical, housing, crisis-response, and community providers.
• Help residents follow through with appointments, benefits, treatment recommendations, housing steps, and transition plans.
• Develop practical support plans when symptoms or behaviors affect safety, stability, or successful participation in shelter services.
• Maintain timely, accurate, objective documentation and communicate relevant information between shifts while protecting resident confidentiality.
• Assist with shelter operations, emergencies, behavioral escalations, groups, and resident activities as assigned.
• Advocate appropriately for residents while encouraging responsibility, informed choice, recovery, and progress.
• Attend supervision, biweekly Case Manager meetings, required training, and community-partner meetings.
• Maintain a calm, professional, collaborative presence and model supportive Christian relationships.
• Participate in group prayer and Christian devotionals.
• Support and train volunteers or interns as needed.
• Follow all LMM policies and complete other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 120 hours to start, with accrual thereafter.
• 12 paid holidays annually.
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance after 60 days of employment: Comprehensive employer-sponsored plans are available to employees.
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with Employer Match: LMM matches up to 5% of employee contributions.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support services for personal and work-related concerns.
• Paid Training and Professional Development Opportunities.
• Education Reimbursement Program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed