RRH Case Manager I (Kent)

CCSWW•Kent, WA

5d•$27 - $30•Hybrid

About The Position

The Housing and Essential Needs (HEN) program at Catholic Community Services (CCS) provides rent and utility assistance, bus passes, and essential-needs products to disabled adults experiencing housing instability. The program serves more than 4,000 people in King County and includes Rental Assistance and Homeless Services case-management teams, resource specialists, an ORCA Lift program, and an Essential Needs team. Services operate from offices in Seattle, Kent, and Federal Way. HEN is a statewide program with eligibility determined by DSHS; CCS is contracted with King County to deliver the services. HEN Case Managers work with housed and unhoused adults to help them obtain and maintain stable housing. They are assigned to either the Rental Assistance or Homeless Services team and support participant services including intakes, goal setting, landlord coordination, rent payments, and accurate records in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). They collaborate with other HEN teams to provide service to shared participants. Participants may experience physical or mental health challenges, substance use, aging-related needs, or language barriers. The position requires patience and effective communication in person and remotely with diverse participants and colleagues, as well as the ability to work independently with little supervision. The role allows one remote workday per week. It is a full-time position of 40 hours per week based in Kent, Washington, with an hourly starting range of $27.27–$30.34 depending on experience. A hiring bonus of up to $1,000 is offered.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in social services or a related field, or commensurate experience in social services.
At least one year of experience providing direct social services; experience with people experiencing housing instability is preferred.
Understanding of challenges faced by people experiencing housing instability, including poverty, substance use, mental health, domestic violence, and long-term homelessness.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Good office computer skills and ability to maintain complex client records.
Ability to set priorities and work independently as well as on a team.
Commitment to social justice and anti-racism and to working within the mission, goals, and objectives of Catholic Community Services.
Ability to pass a background check.
Patience and ability to communicate effectively in person and remotely with a variety of people.
Ability to work well independently with little supervision.
Ability to hear telephone rings and conversations, face-to-face conversations, doorbells, and emergency alarms; speak clearly in person and on the telephone; and handwrite legibly.
Vision sufficient to read normal-size print and handwritten notes and to monitor living spaces and identify concerns requiring staff response.
Ability to sit for sustained periods, walk throughout the building, and ascend and descend stairs quickly to respond to emergencies.
Mobility and hand/arm dexterity to access locked areas and use computers and other office equipment.
Ability to prioritize multiple tasks, make independent decisions, and apply sound judgment.
Ability to regularly lift and carry up to 20 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Social Work or a related field.
Fluency in a second language spoken by a substantial number of HEN recipients.
Reliable vehicle and willingness to commute between offices.

Responsibilities

Conduct participant program intakes and assessments, obtain consents, and explain program policies.
Develop participant-led housing-stability action plans covering income or employment, health, and housing.
Refer participants to supportive housing and employment programs when relevant.
Gather housing and other relevant documentation and enter data into the local HMIS system.
Verify participant eligibility routinely through the online Benefit Verification System.
Prepare rent, arrears, and utility bill payments.
Distribute essential-needs items and arrange free ORCA passes.
Schedule follow-up meetings to work on housing-stability goals and support participants with housing-related needs.
Help participants navigate housing-related communications with landlords and eviction processes.
Communicate with participants who do not or no longer qualify for assistance.
Build relationships with internal resources and community partners and refer participants to other services as needed, including legal assistance.
Help set up and distribute the weekly essential-needs bank.
Protect participant confidentiality and privacy.
Use language-line assistance to support participants who speak languages other than English.
Follow program policies and procedures, maintain data security, and keep records according to agency standards.
Attend required trainings, including de-escalation, trauma-informed care, diversity, equity and inclusion, and first aid/CPR.
Participate in staff and supervisory meetings as a team member.
Contribute to a positive, team-oriented, diverse, and anti-racist work environment.
Support teammates when they are absent or need assistance.
Participate in advocacy for the program and other programs serving disabled and low-income community members.
Record hours worked accurately and submit timesheets on schedule.
Keep receipts for program-related purchases and submit credit-card reports when due.
Support training for new colleagues.
Conduct assigned projects to ensure data quality.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.