Housing Engagement Specialist - Permanent Supportive Housing - Santa Monica

Title:  Case Manager, Housing Engagement Specialist - Santa Monica
Department:  Housing
Location: Cloverfield Services Center, 1751 Cloverfield Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90404
Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:00am-4:30pm
Status:  Full-time, Non-Exempt, Non-Management
Benefits: Medical, Vision, Dental, Life Insurance, 403(b) Retirement plan, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), etc.   

SUMMARY

The Case Manager, Housing Engagement Specialist will provide temporary case management services to clients experiencing homelessness or recently housed. They will support the other Case Managers in the Housing Department by covering clients who are not assigned a permanent Case Manager. Additionally, the Case Manager, Housing Engagement Specialist will provide specialized support with housing engagement by cultivating relationships with property managers, identifying and organizing housing leads and coordinating housing search efforts for multiple clients.

The Case Manager, Housing Engagement Specialist will report to a Program Manager on the scattered site housing team and may be asked to assist with various needs as assigned. They must be flexible and adaptive as they will be working with multiple teams and many different clients. The Case Manager, Housing Engagement Specialist must be able to build rapport quickly with clients and ensure warm handoffs with the permanent Case Manager once assigned. They must be organized and proactive in procuring housing leads and building lasting relationships with property managers interested in serving the homeless community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1.    Work with diverse and marginalized clients experiencing many barriers including homelessness, complex trauma, medical, mental health and substance use

2.    Ensure that case management services to clients are reflective of the “Whatever It Takes” model, which emphasizes customer choice, harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and psycho-social rehabilitation

3.    Develop and maintain a complete, accurate, and current client file with all required documents and data in agency records and electronic databases

4.    Document all client contacts in PIP format (Purpose, Intervention, Plan) and accordance with Housing Department productivity expectations

5.    Maintain confidentiality of client files per HIPAA and all applicable guidelines

6.    Responsible for coordinating appointments, transportation, and follow-up services for clients accessing primary health care, mental health care, recovery services, and other community resources

7.    Transport clients in your vehicle to various agencies and healthcare providers in the greater Los Angeles area to increase community support services and community reintegration

8.    Maintain current, thorough knowledge of community resources and utilize them to provide comprehensive, wrap-around services to clients

9.    Identify housing leads on a weekly basis and assist with organizing and distributing to clients

10. Connect with landlords interested in serving the homeless community and identify housing leads

11. Support Housing Department Case Managers with procuring and organizing housing leads for clients in the housing search process

12. Perform housing location duties including calling landlords, looking for alternative housing resources, and developing new contacts and ensure this information is documented appropriately.

13.   Maintain a current, thorough knowledge of Housing Resources and various subsidy types inclusive of Permanent Supportive Housing providers in our community 

14.   Provide transportation to clients for viewing of units and to as needed appointments

15.   Implement and consistently practice harm reduction, trauma informed care, housing first and integrated care interventions

16.   Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Bachelor’s degree preferred; or a minimum two years’ case management experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, preferably those living with mental illness and/or substance addictions, or an equivalent combination of education and experience

2. Able to work in a high tolerance Harm Reduction model with clients who have multiple barriers

3. Skill in non-violent crisis intervention

4. Valid CA Driver’s license, reliable car, auto insurance, and an acceptable driving record

5. Able to transport clients in own vehicle

WORK ENVIRONMENT

1. On occasion walk or drive to different local sites

2. Regularly required to sit, stand, bend and occasionally lift or carry up to 35 pounds

3. Field (may need to travel) and indoor office environment

4. Will necessitate working in busy and loud environments

5. Will be exposed to elements like cold, heat, dust, noise and odor

6. May need to bend, stoop, twist, and sit throughout the day