Case Manager III - Homeless Prevention

Heartland Family Service•Council Bluffs, IA

8h•$20 - $24

About The Position

Heartland Family Service’s Case Manager III provides homeless prevention services to residents of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, and Douglas and Sarpy Counties, Nebraska. The program offers short-term support to individuals and families at imminent risk of homelessness. The position identifies and screens applicants and provides housing stabilization services, primarily in community settings, for up to three months or until the immediate housing crisis is resolved. The role includes intensive case management and requires strong social work knowledge, decision-making, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. Services include housing-focused assessment and planning, crisis intervention, housing search and placement, tenancy support, referrals, and assistance connecting clients with financial and community resources. Work takes place in client homes, office space, and other non-traditional settings, and requires local travel using a personal vehicle. The schedule is 37.5 hours per week. Compensation is $19.74 to $23.54 per hour, determined by total years of relevant experience.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social work or a comparable human service field and two years of direct-care experience in human services, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant employment experience.
Working knowledge of computer programs including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
Strong interpersonal, decision-making, problem-solving, and social work skills.
Ability to work independently with little supervision and as part of a team.
Ability to establish dependable appointment schedules.

Responsibilities

Build rapport with clients by phone and in person, and assist with returning calls for homeless prevention services.
Respond to clients in a timely manner, screen applicants for eligibility by phone, and refer those who do not qualify to other services.
Verify and document applicant eligibility and maintain comprehensive, accurate records for approved and denied clients.
Provide housing-stability case management, including housing problem-solving, crisis intervention, tenant education, mediation, tenancy supports, and landlord coordination.
Complete comprehensive assessments, identify client strengths, needs, and goals, develop individualized housing stability plans with clients, and monitor progress.
Help individuals and families locate, obtain, and retain suitable housing through housing search and placement services.
Conduct housing habitability inspections and lead-based paint screenings as needed for clients receiving homeless prevention assistance.
Help clients develop skills in budgeting, money management, credit counseling, household management, activities of daily living, personal safety, community-resource access, employment support, and interpersonal communication.
Assess need and eligibility for financial assistance and ensure proper management of available program funds.
Recruit and retain landlords to expand housing options for clients who face tenant-screening barriers.
Maintain knowledge of agency and community programs and resources, housing resources, mainstream benefits, eligibility requirements, landlord-tenant rights and responsibilities, and tenancy supports.
Enter data promptly into MyEvolv and other client databases, and collect, format, and report required information according to funding and agency guidelines.
Follow safety and security measures during in-home and outreach services; travel locally, including in a personal vehicle.
Provide case coverage for other programs as needed and work independently with little supervision as well as collaboratively with a team.
Schedule appointments regularly and dependably, and maintain a courteous, caring attitude toward clients, volunteers, and visitors.
Follow program and agency policies, procedures, and requirements; collaborate with program staff, volunteers, and other agency staff.
Evaluate program services and make recommendations.
Develop personal and program-related skills through internal and external training opportunities and learning materials.
Build positive working relationships with clients, referral sources, service agencies, landlords, and others encountered through the work.
Create, maintain, and share a dynamic self-care plan as appropriate.
Connect the agency with the larger community when possible to support fundraising and friend-raising efforts.
Perform other program-related duties as assigned.