Position Title: Rapid Rehousing Case Manager
Supervised by: Rapid Rehousing Program Manager
Status: Full Time (Non-Exempt)
Wage: $22.20 - $25.99/hr ($43,290.00 - $50,680.50 per year) commensurate with experience
Location: On-site in Uptown; This position requires access to a safe, reliable vehicle for travel to conduct home visits and attend client related appointments (mileage reimbursement provided).
About Us: Sarah's Circle is a non-profit organization working to end homelessness for women in Chicago. Located in Uptown, Sarah's Circle has provided support for thousands of women since 1979. Through the Daytime Support Center, Interim Housing Program, Permanent Supportive Housing Program, and Rapid Rehousing Program we provide women a full continuum of services, including housing, life necessities, and supportive services, to help them permanently end their homelessness
Rapid Re-Housing Overview: RRH provides short-term rental assistance and services. The goals are to help people obtain housing quickly, increase self-sufficiency, and stay housed. It is offered without preconditions (such as employment, income, absence of a criminal record, or sobriety) and the resources and services provided are typically tailored to the needs of the person.
For more information about RRH, see: https://endhomelessness.org/rapid-re-housing-works/
Position Summary
Rapid Rehousing (RRH) Case Managers provide intensive case management for clients placed in temporary apartments seeking permanent housing. Case Managers assist individuals with identifying barriers to housing stability and engage in goal planning that aims to link individuals to the resources and skills that they need to achieve long-term housing stability. This person is responsible for fostering a safe and trauma informed environment and must have experience working with mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders. Most importantly, case managers have a passion for working with individuals experiencing homelessness in our community.
This position requires a significant amount of record-keeping and documentation of services which must be completed within a timely manner, including data entry in HMIS. Adequate transportation needed for travel to conduct home visits, inspections, move-ins, etc.
Responsibilities
- Intensive Case Management: Conduct initial assessment and screening to all potential clients to determine eligibility.
- Service Planning: Utilize diversion skills to help those at risk of homelessness to identify immediate alternate housing arrangements, connecting them with needed resources, and identifying strengths and personal resources.
- Utilize all relevant resources (outside agencies, social support, budget assistance, etc.) to avoid eviction as much as possible.
- Assist clients as advocates for benefits, housing needs to include evictions, landlord negotiations and access to community resources.
- Assist in development of positive working relationships with other agencies serving those at risk of homelessness.
- Work with each client to develop and/or strengthen their Housing Stability Plan according to individual goals and objectives
- Maintain contact with all housing clients on a scheduled basis, appropriate to their particular status and needs
- Ensure that client interactions are person-centered, goal-focused and reflect each client’s goal plan
- Build professional relationships with clients, providers, and community partners
- Provide clients training in the areas of personal hygiene, accessing community resources, medical adherence, household management or other needs as outlined in the client’s goal plan
- Exercise patience, understanding, and concern for each client’s well-being, safety, development, and enjoyment of life
- Make referrals to supportive services in our community as appropriate and support client in navigating this process
- Facilitate and assist with client move-in/out process
- Effectively use HUD tools and ensure compliance with data standards and record-keeping as required by HUD
- Perform annual re-certifications and inspections for each client and accurately update files as necessary
- Communicate effectively in oral and written forms with clients, coworkers, supervisor, and service providers in the community
- Receive referrals for individuals experiencing homelessness through All Chicago/DFSS
- Orient participants regarding the housing process and the rights and responsibilities of tenancy
- Assist the household in scheduling and travelling to appointments, unit viewings, and lease signing. Accompany the household for housing-related appointments/furniture delivery/intakes as necessary
- Review and explain lease and other housing documents with household
- Assist households with applying or updating applications for subsidized housing such as senior housing as appropriate
- Develop rapport and positive working relationships with participants, including those who may be reluctant to engage
- Assist participants with accessing resources to meet immediate needs
- Collaborate with housing providers to learn what documents are needed to be housed and help household obtain documents, as current conditions allow
- Utilize motivational interviewing and harm reduction strategies to support movement toward housing placement and to assist participants in resolving ambivalence about housing opportunities
- Attend and participate actively in all Accelerated Moving Events
- Ensure timely documentation of all client interaction and services and maintain accurate paperwork/reports
- Input accurate and complete data for all clients into HMIS and internal reports
- Ensure proper vouchering for participant rents
Other
- Attend staff meetings, case management meetings and supervisory meetings, as instructed by supervisor
- Attend staff trainings as instructed by supervisor (minimum of 4 per year)
- Participate in Sarah’s Circle Annual Winter Walk, as requested.
- Maintain current knowledge base by participating in educational or training opportunities, reading relevant publications, and maintaining professional networks
- Perform other duties, as assigned by supervisor
Competencies
- Dependability: able to work independently, submits accurate documentation, and seeks guidance when needed
- Teamwork: establishes collaborative relationships with staff and volunteers, provides leadership when appropriate
- Receptiveness: accepts feedback, takes ownership of responsibilities, and identifies areas of growth
- Interpersonal Skills: communicates clearly (both written and verbally), seeks solutions, and demonstrates flexibility
- Integrity: keeps sensitive information confidential and adheres to personnel policies
- Initiative: brings questions to supervisor and seeks opportunities for further development
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or related social service field preferred
Job Experience & Requirements
- 1 – 2 years of experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness and/or individuals with a history of trauma required.
- 1 - 2 years of case management experience preferred, ideally within the homeless services sector
- Possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License and safe and reliable transportation to travel to various sites as required (mileage reimbursement is available).
- Possess and maintain adequate Liability Insurance for the vehicle.
Health and Safety Requirements
- Ability to lift approximately 20lbs
- Follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) through administrative updates compliant with federal law
Sarah's Circle is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, sex, age, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other non-merit factor protected under state, local or federal laws.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $22.24 - $25.99 per hour
Expected hours: 37.5 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
Application Question(s):
- How many years of experience do you have working with individuals experiencing homelessness and/or a history of trauma?
- This is a hybrid position in Uptown, however the first three months you are required to be onsite and then will move to 3 day in / 2 days out rotation. In this position you will be working with women who live in scattered site apartments across Chicago. You will be required to travel for home visits and client related appointments (mileage reimbursement will be provided).
Do you have access to a safe and reliable vehicle to use for this travel?
Education:
Experience:
- Case management: 1 year (Preferred)
Work Location: In person