Housing Independent Living Program Care Coordinator I

Orangewood Foundation•Santa Ana, CA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Orangewood Foundation, established in 1981, is dedicated to advocating for young people in foster care, experiencing homelessness, or trafficking. Their mission is to empower these individuals by supporting their envisioned futures through one-on-one support to achieve their dreams and goals. The foundation offers programs and services in Basic Needs & Support, Education, Life Skills & Employment, and Transitional Housing & Support, with a vision of a community where every young person thrives. Orangewood Foundation is committed to Equal Opportunity, Flexible Scheduling, Powerful Teamwork, Personal Fulfillment, a Thriving Community, Professional Development, Mental & Physical Wellness, and Competitive Compensation. They pride themselves on a positive and supportive workplace culture, ranked #27 in Best Places to Work 2025, and uphold core values of Trust, Respect, Empathy, Inclusion, and Advocacy. The Housing Independent Living Program (HILP) supports young adults aged 18-28 who have housing vouchers, assisting them in their journey toward interdependency and housing stability through access to resources, skill-building, and coaching. Participants receive individualized support to secure, stabilize, and maintain their housing. The Care Coordinator role involves one-on-one engagement, assessment, coaching, guidance, and support to young people with housing vouchers to help them secure and maintain housing and develop essential life skills. This position requires a flexible schedule, including evenings and some weekends. Candidates should be aware that the role may involve high stress levels due to mitigating participant crises and potential exposure to vicarious trauma, emphasizing the importance of self-care and seeking support.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in either sociology, social work, education, or a related field from an accredited college or university required.
At least one year of case management experience in the human services field, higher education, working with transitional youth experiencing homelessness, current or former foster youth, counseling, or relevant experience to provide informed and effective support.
Basic understanding of developmental learning theory and issues related to adolescent and child abuse to support youth effectively.
Demonstrate the ability to work sensitively with youth who have experienced trauma using a trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and harm reduction approach to ensure compassionate and effective care.
Make sound and timely decisions under pressure to effectively support youth in crisis or challenging situations.
Demonstrate clear verbal and written communication skills to effectively convey information and engage with youth and stakeholders.
Maintain strict confidentiality to protect the privacy and rights of youth and their information.
Accept and implement Feedback constructively to continuously improve service delivery and personal development.
Possess a valid California driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance. Position requires DMV clearance.
Pre-employment screenings include criminal background check, FBI/DOJ fingerprinting, TB test, drug screen, and previous employment verification.
A Plum.io assessment is a required part of the application process, and your application will not be considered complete until the assessment is submitted.

Nice To Haves

Understanding of and passion for the Foundation’s mission, vision, and values.
Exhibit strong communication and teamwork skills, adhering to the Foundations’ operating principles to foster a collaborative environment.
Approach projects and tasks with flexibility and a positive attitude, displaying the essential attitudes needed for success in this role.
Show ethical decision-making ability and maintain confidentiality to protect the integrity of the work and the privacy of the youth.
Model leadership and professionalism in all interactions, serving as a role model for youth, peers, and community partners.
Be a detail-oriented team player with the ability to take initiative, proactively addressing challenges and contributing to team success.
Enjoy working with young adults, volunteers, and community partners, fostering strong, supportive relationships.
Capably manage multiple responsibilities and deadlines, maintaining organization and efficiency in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

Build strong rapport with young adults to foster trust and open communication, enabling effective coaching and personalized support as they work toward achieving their self-identified goals.
Facilitate young adult-led assessments to identify their goals and needs, collaboratively developing personalized action plans.
Support participants in hands-on life skills development, such as budgeting, shopping, obtaining furnishings, cooking, and cleaning, to help them thrive in their housing and achieve self-sufficiency.
Meet regularly with young adults to provide coaching and support as they work toward achieving their goals.
Support young adults in making informed decisions regarding housing and their care plans, empowering them to take ownership of their progress.
Assist young adults in identifying and mapping their support networks, helping them recognize individuals they can turn to for support and fostering connections that enhance their social safety net.
Offer crisis intervention and connect young adults to appropriate services, ensuring they have the resources they need in times of crisis.
Represent the organization professionally among partners and the community, advocating for the young adult’s goals and needs.
Engage in collaboration with partners and stakeholders, including property owners/managers to discuss successes and address challenges the young adults may face, ensuring the youth’s voice is heard.
Ensure accurate and timely documentation to reflect young adults’ progress, care plans, and ongoing support.
Additional duties as assigned by direct leadership.