Transitional Housing Case Manager I

Veterans Place of Washington Boulevard • Pittsburgh, PA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Case Manager Level 1 is a core member of the Veterans Place Housing Team, providing direct case management to veterans in transitional housing and VA contract bed programs. The role supports stabilization, goal achievement, permanent housing placement, and community reintegration, while helping veterans navigate homelessness, behavioral health, unemployment, substance use, and trauma-related barriers. Under the direction of the Transitional Housing Manager, the Case Manager serves as a consistent point of contact and coordinates care across internal departments and external systems, particularly the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

The position manages an active caseload and provides individualized, trauma-informed support, including assessments, service planning, regular check-ins, budgeting assistance, housing navigation, discharge planning, referrals, and aftercare coordination. It also facilitates group and community activities and collaborates with VA liaisons, housing staff, recovery services, and workforce and veteran resource teams.

The Case Manager maintains timely and accurate records in BestNotes and complies with VA GPD requirements, Veterans Place policies, and CARF standards. The position is based on-site at the Veterans Place residential campus and involves daily interaction with veterans. Occasional evening or weekend work may be needed for emergency transportation, discharge support, or community events. The role requires professionalism, cultural humility, integrity, and the ability to remain calm and solution-oriented during crises or emotional distress.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• At least 1–2 years of experience in case management, homeless services, behavioral health, or recovery settings.
• Strong knowledge of veterans’ services, trauma-informed care, and housing-first approaches is preferred.
• Excellent documentation and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a structured, policy-driven environment while meeting veterans where they are.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage a dynamic caseload.
• Valid driver’s license and insurable driving record.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check.
• Ability to focus on program details, meet timelines, and attend to multiple tasks and interactions.
• Ability to retain and recall information about clients, policies, procedures, and schedules.
• Ability to identify issues, evaluate solutions, and make decisions independently or collaboratively.
• Ability to understand written and verbal information and communicate effectively with diverse populations.
• Ability to manage time, maintain accurate records, and coordinate meetings.
• Adequate visual acuity, with or without corrective lenses, to read documents, use a computer, and observe participants.
• Adequate auditory ability, with or without assistive devices, to understand in-person, telephone, and virtual conversations.
• Clear verbal communication skills for articulating expectations, delivering feedback, and conducting presentations.
• Ability to lift, carry, and move materials weighing up to 50 pounds regularly using proper lifting techniques.
• Ability to stand or walk for 6 to 8 hours daily on concrete surfaces.
• Ability to sit and use a computer for extended periods of 4 or more hours with breaks.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, and rain.
• Ability to remain calm and solution-oriented when working with individuals in crisis or emotional distress.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree.
• Experience with BestNotes or other electronic health records.

Responsibilities

• Manage an active caseload of veterans in transitional housing and VA contract bed programs.
• Complete comprehensive initial assessments within 72 hours of admission, covering psychosocial history, needs, strengths, and barriers.
• Develop and maintain individualized service plans with SMART goals, updating them monthly or when circumstances change.
• Conduct weekly in-person check-ins with assigned veterans to monitor safety, stability, and progress.
• Conduct monthly budgeting sessions to support financial management and housing readiness.
• Use motivational interviewing and trauma-informed care to promote veteran engagement and empowerment.
• Begin discharge planning on the first day of admission and develop plans addressing permanent housing, income stability, long-term care or community support, and ongoing mental health or substance use services.
• Coordinate housing searches, applications, and lease-up processes with veterans nearing discharge.
• Provide referrals and aftercare linkages, and ensure veterans have a complete discharge plan, appropriate support, and documented next steps.
• Maintain required documentation in BestNotes, including assessments, service plans, case notes, group attendance, budgeting forms, discharge summaries, and aftercare plans.
• Enter case notes within 24 hours of contact, respond to audit feedback, and report milestones such as housing placement, employment gains, and community service hours.
• Help veterans access and manage VA healthcare, Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid, SNAP, HUD-VASH, and SSVF benefits.
• Refer veterans to mental health counseling, substance use recovery, primary and specialty medical care, legal assistance, and veteran advocacy.
• Assist with housing navigation, including preparing documents, completing applications, and connecting veterans with landlords and support programs.
• Support veterans with appointments, including scheduling, follow-up, and transportation when needed.
• Facilitate a weekly group and attend weekly townhouse meetings and monthly community meetings.
• Support veteran participation in group activities and community accountability; co-lead or support groups on life skills, budgeting, interpersonal communication, and relapse prevention when appropriate.
• Help resolve interpersonal conflicts among veterans using de-escalation and mediation techniques.
• Participate in bi-weekly treatment team meetings and provide updates on caseload status, behavioral issues, service plan progress, and discharge readiness.
• Collaborate with VA GPD and Contract Bed Liaisons, the Assistant Case Manager Coordinator, Workforce Development and the Veteran Resource Center, and the Recovery Services team.
• Report veteran crises or incidents to the Transitional Housing Manager immediately and participate in debriefs and follow-up planning.
• Follow other job-related instructions and perform additional duties as requested by the supervisor.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level