Self-Sufficiency Case Manager Description

About Marin Housing Authority / Careers

Established: 8/11/92

Revised: September 9, 2014

Definition

Under general supervision, manages and counsels clients and facilitates and monitors their progress toward self-sufficiency within HUD regulatory guidelines; supports clients in the identification and development of employment/financial goals, independent living skills, and serves as a resource and advocate for appropriate plan components and supportive services; meets with individuals and groups, leads workshops and performs case management in helping participants overcome barriers to program participation; and performs related work as assigned.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives general supervision from the Program Manager and lead direction from the Self-Sufficiency Program Coordinator.

Class Characteristics

This is the professional journey level class that supports, manages and counsels clients through a systematic program designed to assist them in becoming self-sufficient. Incumbents in this class develop and coordinate case management and with client services with outside social services agencies in the support and advocacy of program participants. Incumbent provides assessments, referrals, and resources for residents to an array of supportive services to help households achieve self-sufficiency. In the case of families, incumbent provides coordination for asset building services to assist households increase their earned income, including but not limited to, job search and placement assistance, financial literacy, credit repair, childcare services, health services, transportation, parenting, and alcohol/drug services. In the case of elderly and/or disabled residents, incumbent provides coordination of services to improve quality of life, increase independence, and support residents to age-in-place where appropriate. These services may include In-Home Support services, life skills support, access modification, health and mental health care, drug/alcohol services, nutrition education, and transportation.

Examples of Duties (Illustrative Only)

• Evaluates client situations to determine the extent of social services, educational services, and job skill services required by the participating family.
• Refers clients to service providers in the general community and performs case management support services when necessary.
• Recruits, conducts orientations, interviews and selects participants for the Family Self-Sufficiency Program.
• Meets regularly with clients to provide goal directed counseling, case work and continuous motivation.
• Refers the residents of Public Housing Senior/Disabled complexes to service providers in the general community and performs case management support when appropriate.
• Established linkages with agencies and service providers in the community; works constructively with intervention teams from various community social services agencies.
• Conducts initial needs assessment, gathers information on personal finances and training, work and social history; determines strategic plans and employment goals with clients and determines eligibility factors. 
• Provides continuing consultation with the client and coordinates services with outside agencies.
• Provides effective individual and group employment and other counseling and applies principles of counseling, motivation, casework and case management and sets up resources which may include training activities.
• Meets regularly with clients to provide goal-directed counseling, casework and continuous motivation.
• Performs appraisals and/or assessments to identify client’s progress and current needs.
• Determines available resources and provides services or makes appropriate referrals for specialized assistance.
• Schedules appointments with clients and follows up with clients who do not appear.
• Identifies noncompliance, makes cause determinations, negotiates conciliations and determines ineligibility when client fails to meet program requirements. Works with property management staff to stabilize residents’ living situations.
• Makes recommendations regarding the selection of program participants; provides client orientation and case management referral services.
• Leads workshops; provides supportive casework to help participants overcome barriers to program participation.
• Explains client rights and responsibilities in the Family Self-Sufficiency program, explains the regulations and program guidelines; determines strategic plan components for client’s success and explains, negotiates and approves client employment plans.
• Prepares and maintains casework records and files, writes and submits regular client status reports and prepares relevant documents correspondence.
• Perform other related work as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles involved in asset building model, employment skills development, job development, job search techniques, and adult education.
• Principles of gerontology, the aging process, mental health and substance use issues, and elder service needs.
• Confidentiality laws and regulations, mandated reporter protocols, familiarity with adult protective services.
• Principles and techniques of public social service programs; Federal, State, and local laws, rules, policies and regulations governing public assistance programs.
• Socio-economic conditions and trends; current issues in the field of social services and employment.
• Principles of counseling, motivation casework and case management; interviewing, case management record keeping and problem-solving methodology.
• Education and employment requirements; labor market conditions; social service programs; County, State and Federal laws governing employment, labor conditions and public welfare.
• Community organizations, service providers, and local resources.
• Principles involved in the nature and development of in-group learning processes; principles involved in servicing adults who are aging and/or disabled; adult education techniques, employment skills development and job search techniques. 

Skill in:

• Analyzing situations and adopting effective courses of action when applying existing Housing Authority rules, regulations, and policies.
• Interviewing and maintaining effective working relations with and fostering a supportive environment for participants.
• Acquiring and applying program specific technical knowledge and knowledge of community resources.
• Analyzing and evaluating individual situations, making independent and sound decisions and taking appropriate action.
• Planning, organizing and conducting group meetings, individual and group orientations and representing the Housing Authority at community agencies and groups.
• Working constructively within a community setting with a community screening committee and effectively using appropriate resources and services.
• Communicating effectively both verbally and in written form including effective use of interviewing techniques.
• Working collaboratively with human service agencies to assure the provision of comprehensive and coordinated services.
• Operating standard office equipment, including job-related computer hardware and software applications, facsimile equipment and multi-line telephones.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work. 

Educations 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 four-year 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.

License and Certification:

Some positions within this class may be required to possess and maintain a valid California class C driver’s license and satisfactory driving record.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to sit for extended periods of time, 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 normal office setting with moderate noise levels and includes home visits requiring local travel between sites.

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.