Position: Outreach Case Manager
Location: Petaluma
Reports to: Program Coordinator
Type: Full Time, Non-Exempt (Day Shift)
Compensation: $26.21/Hourly
PROGRAM AND POSITION SUMMARY:
HomeFirst Petaluma Outreach Team's purpose is to connect street and encampment homeless individuals to permanent housing and address immediate safety concerns such as connection to emergency shelter. These caseloads include targeted subpopulations of people experiencing chronic homelessness, people benefitting from housing problem solving techniques, and people who need support with the final stages of pre and post-housing.Outreach Case Managers carry dedicated caseloads guided by the Petaluma By-Name-List and the county-wide Coordinated Entry System (CES) By-Name-List and processes. In addition, program staff spend limited time each week conducting “general” outreach at consistent locations and on an adhoc basis responding to calls. The Petaluma Outreach Team consists of two sub-teams, a program coordinator and director.The Outreach Case Manager is accountable to contract caseload utilization
and permanent housing outcomes, documentation and policy compliance,and maintaining effective partnerships in the community.
DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
Direct Services (70%)
· Provide street and encampment-based case management to unhoused participants throughout the City of Petaluma.
· Effectively guides case load participants through the system of care to permanent housing outcomes.
· Provide linkage and coordinate services to community resources, including health care and shelter, vital documents and benefits applications, family reunification, Housing Problem Solving, etcetera.
· Utilizes best practices in homeless services including: Harm Reduction,Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, Crisis Prevention and Intervention, and Safety Planning.
· Facilitates provision of financial assistance and basic needs items as appropriate to ensure safety, relationship-building, and movement towards permanent housing.
· Proactively advocates for participants and collaborates with community partners regarding supportive services.
· Conducts client intake, including full Coordinated Entry Assessment, as requested by participants and guided by Petaluma By-Name-List.
· Works with program participants to develop and implement an individual case management plan and provide support to help them achieve their housing and personal goals.
· Meets regularly with program participants at a frequency determined by the participants’ needs.
· Provide transportation of participants to critical appointments, housing move-ins, shelter, and additional destinations.
· Limited outside of standard hours support expected when it would benefit participants or to complete resolution of emergency response that begins during standard hours.
· Assist with other duties as assigned.
Documentation (20%)
· Documents, via progress notes in HMIS, all case management activity within five business days.
· Maintains physical case file paperwork and documentation.
· Participates in ongoing analysis of and program alignment with industry best practices.
· Proactively and consistently improves the quality and effectiveness of program services.
· Conducts ongoing re-assessments of the client's needs and status and documents assessment in the Homeless Management Information System database.
General (10%)
· Attends all meetings and training relevant to this position.
· Assist with office-related tasks as needed.
· Works collaboratively with Program Coordinator and utilizes supervision appropriately, maintaining open lines of communication and providing updates on participants’ progress towards goals.
· Attends the Petaluma By-Name-List meeting and reports out on progress with participants as needed.
· Properly reports any suspected cases of abuse.
· Maintains professional relations and conduct.
· Knows and implements agency, program, and applicable county standards and policies and procedures.
· Other duties as assigned.
QUALITIES:
· 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 25 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.
.
Skills and Abilities
· Understanding of and sensitivity to the needs of the unhoused population.
· 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.).
General
· Other duties as assigned.
· 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).
HomeFirst Services is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. Additionally, HomeFirst Services participates in the E-Verify program, as required by law.
HomeFirst Services is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please let your recruiter know.
HomeFirst Services takes pride in its safety values, the wellness of our team, and respect for everyone we serve. Due to this commitment, HomeFirst Services is mandating that all employees be vaccinated or render a religious or medical exemption effective September 13, 2021.
