Housing Case Manager Description

About Marin Housing Authority / Careers

Established: February 25, 2020

Definition

Under general supervision, provides support services to individuals with persistent mental illness and a history of homelessness in the Supportive Housing Program; assists participants in finding or remaining in housing; works with participants towards achieving the outcomes in their coordinated case plans; works closely with public social services agencies in coordinated assistance efforts; assists the Supportive Housing Manager with all aspects of the program as needed; and performs related work as assigned.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives general supervision and direction from the Manager of Supportive Housing Program.

Class Characteristics

This is the professional journey level class requiring a high level of responsibility, knowledge and ability in coordinating and providing services to clients. This class provides case management, counseling and advocacy services to extremely low-income persons with a variety of barriers to permanent housing including domestic violence, mental illness, chronic illness and physical disabilities.

Example of Duties (Illustrative Only)

• Engages and works with people with a variety of issues including domestic violence, mental illness, substance use, homelessness, and/or parenting.
• Conducts assessments with individuals to determine their housing and psychosocial needs; functions as a part of an inter-agency multidisciplinary team; makes referrals to other community resources for services and coordinates services with other social services and support agencies.
• Monitors participants’ health and wellness issues and needs, makes appropriate referrals and coordinates medical care, mental health care, and social welfare agencies.
• Acts as an advocate for the client; assists participants with locating appropriate housing; assists with the move-in process; helps participants obtain needed household items and other tasks that help participants maintain housing.
• Provides mediation and advocacy for participant between landlord and neighbors.
• Coordinates and provides flexible support services and skills training such as hygiene skills, budgeting, shopping, cooking, laundry, employment, interpersonal effectiveness, and arranging for in-home assistance, in order for the participants to obtain and maintain housing.
• Works with participants to obtain and maintain entitlements; develops ongoing consultation with participants' family members, case managers and other care providers; makes timely referrals to supportive services and intervenes to avert crises.
• Provides outreach activities towards eligible homeless persons.
• Writes reports and performs daily charting; collects data for the purposes of program administration and monitoring.
• Prepares and maintains casework records, court and other evaluative reports and relevant correspondence; maintains confidential records and files.
• Performs other related work as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of

• Current issues regarding independent living with support services for special needs populations.
• Principles and techniques in engaging homeless people and families who suffer from various issues, such as domestic violence, mental illness, disability, and terminal illness.
• Principles, procedures, techniques, trends and literature of the social service, domestic violence, and mental health fields; assessments, interviewing, and recording and tracking case plans.
• Public assistance and social service programs, and the role and function of public housing and social services agencies.
• Principles and techniques of interviewing and methods of social work record keeping, including computer applications related to the work.
• Community organizations, resources, and the social problems calling for the use of public and private resources regarding homelessness.
• Basic principles of public assistance policies and programs.
• Laws, rules, and regulations governing the operation of the Marin Housing Authority.
• Goals and current trends of subsidized housing and participants; techniques for dealing with individuals from a variety of socio-economic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds and those who may have physical and/or emotional problems. 

Skill in:

• Interacting dynamically and relating well with homeless individuals who suffer from various issues, including Domestic Violence, mental illness, substance use, physical disability, and chronic illness.
• Assessing needs and developing appropriate case management plans; analyzing problematic situations and taking decisive action and establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with clients.
• Interpreting social services programs to applicants and participants; effectively using and seeking out appropriate resources and services.
• Applying existing rules, regulations and policies; working constructively within a community setting with a community consultation panel.
• Working cooperatively with Housing Authority staffs, outside agencies, and the public.
• Communicating effectively both verbally and in written form, including effective use of interviewing techniques.
• Working effectively with people with varying backgrounds, educational levels, races and cultures.
• Data collection and entry for monthly, quarterly and annual reports, which include, but are not limited to the following data: rent, subsidy and participant amounts, occupancy rate, participant demographic information and program eligibility and socio-economic data for monitoring purposes.
• Ensuring that all regulatory agreements, contracts, and fair housing laws are met as they relate to housing.
• Computer skills, which includes ability to navigate client record software, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point.
  

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent of a fouryear degree from an accredited college or university in sociology, public administration, or a closely related field and two years of professional social services experience, including one year working closely with clients providing support services. Experience can be substituted for education.

License:

Must possess a valid California class C driver'slicense and have a satisfactory driving record.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to sit for extended periods, talk and hear within standard ranges. The employee is required to walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or computer controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Work is performed in a field setting or a normal office setting with moderate noise levels and includes extensive travel to client residentsthroughout the County.

Marin Housing Authority is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Minorities, women and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.  Upon request, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and for religious reasons.