Outreach Case Manager-Sonoma Valley (85348)

HomeFirst • Petaluma, CA

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

HomeFirst is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending homelessness in the Bay Area through low-barrier programming and systems leadership. The Sonoma Valley Street Outreach Team aims to connect individuals experiencing homelessness to permanent housing and address immediate safety concerns. This role involves managing a caseload of 18 individuals, utilizing the Sonoma Valley By-Name-List and the county-wide Coordinated Entry System (CES). The position also includes general outreach and responding to calls. The Outreach Case Manager is responsible for contract caseload utilization, permanent housing outcomes, documentation, policy compliance, and community partnerships. This is a full-time position totaling 30 hours per week.

Requirements

• 1 year experience in human services.
• Ability to develop relationships with community partners and outside agencies.
• Ability to develop and maintain priorities and meet established deadlines.
• Ability to present oneself and the agency professionally to internal and external audiences.
• Ability to walk long distances on rough terrain (such as trails, creek sides, and high-traffic areas).
• Ability to lift and carry outreach supplies (usually in a backpack, up to 30 lbs.).
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook and basic elements of Excel.
• Valid CA driver’s license and insurance, and reliable vehicle to use on the job (mileage provided).

Nice To Haves

• People with lived experience encouraged to apply.
• Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) degree or related human services field preferred, not required.
• Bilingual in Spanish and bicultural preferred, not required.
• Understanding of and sensitivity to the needs of the unhoused population.
• The Outreach Case Manager prefers fieldwork over office-based work, and is self-driven and flexible in a day-to-day that rarely follows expectations.
• The Outreach Case Manager has a “whatever it takes” approach to moving people into housing, meeting barriers with creativity and meeting clients where they are.
• The Outreach Case Manager is highly collaborative and enjoys a team-oriented environment.
• They actively drive progress towards shared goals for their participants among varying service providers.
• This position will manage a caseload of 18 highly vulnerable individuals with different goals and housing plans; the Outreach Case Manager must be organized and accountable to multiple priorities.
• HomeFirst is a diverse company in a diverse field, and the Outreach Case Manager desires to work with people from a variety of social and economic backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Provide street and encampment-based case management to unhoused participants throughout the Sonoma Valley region.
• Guide case load participants through the system of care to permanent housing outcomes.
• Provide linkage and coordinate services to community resources, including healthcare, shelter, vital documents, benefits applications, family reunification, and Housing Problem Solving.
• Utilize best practices in homeless services including: Harm Reduction, Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, Crisis Prevention and Intervention, and Safety Planning.
• Facilitate provision of financial assistance and basic needs items as appropriate to ensure safety, relationship-building, and movement towards permanent housing.
• Advocate for participants and collaborate with community partners regarding supportive services.
• Conduct client intake, including full Coordinated Entry Assessment, as requested by participants and guided by Sonoma Valley By-Name-List.
• Work with program participants to develop and implement an individual case management plan and provide support to help them achieve their housing and personal goals.
• Meet regularly with program participants at a frequency determined by their needs.
• Provide transportation of participants to critical appointments, housing move-ins, shelter, and additional destinations.
• Provide limited outside of standard hours support when it would benefit participants or to complete resolution of emergency response that begins during standard hours.
• Assist with other duties as assigned.
• Document, via progress notes in HMIS, all case management activity within five business days.
• Maintain physical case file paperwork and documentation.
• Participate in ongoing analysis of and program alignment with industry best practices.
• Proactively and consistently improve the quality and effectiveness of program services.
• Conduct ongoing re-assessments of the client's needs and status and document assessment in the Homeless Management Information System database.
• Attend all meetings and training relevant to this position.
• Assist with office-related tasks as needed.
• Work collaboratively with Program Coordinator and utilize supervision appropriately, maintaining open lines of communication and providing updates on participants’ progress towards goals.
• Attend the Sonoma Valley By-Name-List meeting and report out on progress with participants as needed.
• Properly report any suspected cases of abuse.
• Maintain professional relations and conduct.
• Know and implement agency, program, and applicable county standards and policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Additional wellness options like chiropractic care, mental health support, pet insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program.
• 401(k)-retirement plan with generous matching
• Life and disability insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• Commuter benefits
• Workers’ compensation
• 12 holidays
• Sick leave
• PTO starting at 15 days annually, increasing with tenure
• 4 hours of civic engagement leave annually to volunteer.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED