Case Manager (Shelter)

Interfaith Works • Rockville, MD

4d • $55,000 - $65,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Case Manager provides housing-focused case management and stabilization services to individuals experiencing homelessness. Using Housing First, trauma-informed, harm-reduction, motivational interviewing, and strengths-based approaches, the Case Manager works collaboratively with program participants to identify barriers, establish goals, access community resources, and obtain and maintain stable housing. The Case Manager is responsible for a caseload of approximately 25 program participants and is expected to maintain consistent client engagement, timely documentation, and active coordination with internal programs, community providers, and Montgomery County's Continuum of Care and Coordinated Entry System. This position requires flexibility, sound judgment, strong professional boundaries, and the ability to respond effectively to individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges, housing instability, trauma, and other barriers to stabilization.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, human services, sociology, public health, or a related behavioral health or human-services field preferred.
• A combination of relevant education, training, and directly related experience may be considered in place of the preferred degree.
• Previous experience providing case management, housing navigation, behavioral health, homeless services, crisis intervention, or community-based human services strongly preferred.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, behavioral health conditions, substance-use disorders, trauma, domestic violence, or other significant barriers to stability preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to build rapport and maintain professional, respectful, and appropriate relationships with program participants.
• Knowledge of, or willingness to develop proficiency in, Housing First, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and person-centered service delivery.
• Knowledge of community resources and public systems related to homelessness, housing, behavioral health, health care, public benefits, employment, and crisis services.
• Ability to recognize and respond appropriately to behavioral health crises, including potential suicidal or homicidal ideation, in accordance with organizational protocols and the employee's training.
• Strong assessment, problem-solving, organization, time-management, and case-planning skills.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities, deadlines, participant needs, and documentation requirements effectively.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to write clear, objective, accurate, and timely case notes and reports.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and seek supervisory guidance when appropriate.
• Demonstrated cultural humility and the ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse racial, cultural, socioeconomic, religious, gender, and identity backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Experience using HMIS or a comparable electronic case-management system preferred.
• Fluency in Spanish or another language commonly spoken by program participants is a plus.
• Regularly required to communicate verbally and in writing.
• Frequently uses hands and fingers to operate computers, phones, office equipment, and other tools.
• May be required to stand, walk, sit, bend, and reach with hands and arms.
• Must occasionally lift or move items weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, human services, sociology, public health, or a related behavioral health or human-services field preferred.
• Previous experience providing case management, housing navigation, behavioral health, homeless services, crisis intervention, or community-based human services strongly preferred.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, behavioral health conditions, substance-use disorders, trauma, domestic violence, or other significant barriers to stability preferred.
• Knowledge of, or willingness to develop proficiency in, Housing First, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and person-centered service delivery.
• Experience using HMIS or a comparable electronic case-management system preferred.
• Fluency in Spanish or another language commonly spoken by program participants is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Establish professional, respectful, and collaborative relationships with program participants using strengths-based, person-centered, trauma-informed, and Housing First approaches.
• Maintain a caseload of approximately 25 program participants.
• Meet with assigned program participants at least weekly, or more frequently when clinically or programmatically appropriate.
• Conduct comprehensive and ongoing assessments of participants' housing needs, strengths, vulnerabilities, disabling conditions, behavioral health needs, history of trauma or domestic violence, income, benefits, and other barriers to stabilization.
• Work collaboratively with each participant to develop, implement, and regularly update an individualized service plan and housing plan.
• Assist participants in establishing and prioritizing realistic short- and long-term goals related to housing, income, health, employment, benefits, independent living, and overall stability.
• Monitor participant progress and adjust interventions and service plans based on changing needs, barriers, and identified goals.
• Provide immediate intervention, support, and referrals when participants present with urgent or emergency needs.
• Promote participant choice, self-determination, personal responsibility, and meaningful involvement in the case-planning process.
• Assist participants with identifying, obtaining, and maintaining safe and appropriate permanent housing.
• Help participants navigate housing applications, documentation requirements, eligibility processes, landlord communication, and other housing-related activities.
• Connect participants to appropriate community resources, including medical, dental, and behavioral health services; substance-use treatment and recovery supports; employment and vocational services; Social Security and public-benefit programs; legal services; transportation resources; life-skills education; and food, clothing, and other basic-needs assistance.
• Coordinate services with community providers, landlords, government agencies, health care professionals, and other members of the participant's support network, as authorized.
• Assist participants with accessing essential appointments and services, including arranging or coordinating transportation when appropriate.
• Advocate for participants while maintaining professional boundaries and supporting their ability to independently navigate systems and resources.
• Participate consistently in Montgomery County Continuum of Care Coordinated Entry System meetings, case-conferencing calls, trainings, and related activities.
• Complete required Coordinated Entry assessments, referrals, documentation, and follow-up activities accurately and within established timeframes.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings to present cases, review participant progress, identify appropriate interventions, and coordinate services.
• Collaborate with Interfaith Works programs and departments to support continuity of care and effective service delivery.
• Participate in monthly Case Management and Vocational Services meetings, staff meetings, trainings, supervision sessions, and other organizational activities.
• Meet with the Case Management Supervisor for regular individual supervision and case consultation.
• Maintain accurate, complete, objective, and timely participant records in accordance with Interfaith Works policies, contract requirements, confidentiality standards, and applicable laws.
• Document all participant contacts, services, referrals, assessments, progress, and significant incidents in the Homeless Management Information System, or HMIS, within required timeframes.
• Maintain organized electronic and physical participant files, as applicable.
• Complete required reports, assessments, service plans, housing plans, discharge summaries, incident reports, and other program documentation.
• Ensure the quality and accuracy of HMIS data and promptly correct identified documentation or data-quality concerns.
• Protect confidential participant information and follow all privacy, recordkeeping, and information-sharing requirements.
• Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation support to participants experiencing acute behavioral health symptoms, interpersonal conflict, or other destabilizing circumstances.
• Assess immediate safety concerns within the scope of the Case Manager's training and responsibilities.
• Follow established protocols when a participant expresses suicidal or homicidal thoughts, intent, or other indicators of imminent risk.
• Contact the Mobile Crisis Team, emergency medical services, law enforcement, supervisory staff, or other emergency resources when warranted.
• Complete incident reports and related documentation accurately and promptly.
• Maintain awareness of the program environment and communicate safety, behavioral, or operational concerns to appropriate supervisory staff.
• Work at least one evening per week, based on program needs.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate a community meeting one evening every other week.
• Maintain reliable attendance and punctuality and provide appropriate notice of absences or schedule changes.
• Adhere to Interfaith Works policies, procedures, professional standards, and organizational values.
• Participate in required training and professional-development activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 14 paid holidays
• 21 days of paid time off
• Subsidized medical, dental, and vision coverage for themselves and their eligible dependents (for full-time employees working at least 30 hours per week)
• Employer-paid long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• Employee Assistance Program at no cost

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree