Bilingual Housing Case Manager

Description

WHO WE ARE

Volunteers of America Colorado is a nonprofit, faith-based organization dedicated to helping those in-need transform their lives. Through more than 50 distinct human service programs, Volunteers of America changes the lives of more than 140,000 vulnerable Coloradoans each year. VOA services include housing and emergency shelters, hunger and nutrition services, and many other community support programs. Our work touches the mind, body, heart and ultimately the spirit of those we serve. VOA integrates compassion with highly effective programs that build and strengthen communities.

WHAT MAKES VOA SPECIAL? VOAC recognizes the unique needs of the older adult who needs a wheelchair ramp to stay at home safely, and the preschooler whose family needs additional resources. VOAC supports veteran’s efforts to exit homelessness as well as provides a safe place for survivors of domestic violence. Wherever VOAC goes, it combines relationship-building, volunteers and quality services to lift and support our neighbor’s efforts to become self-sufficient and reach their full potential.

** The bilingual housing case manager at the Theodora Family Hotel is directly responsible for the service provision and

housing assistance for families enrolled in the Theodora Family Hotel shelter. This program serves multiple

populations in two different programs: family shelter and a VA Grant Per Diem program. Service modalities

include Housing First, Trauma Informed Care, Harm Reduction, Motivational Interviewing, Crisis De-escalation and

Critical Time Intervention. Job duties include a conducting needs-based and program eligibility assessments,

engaging in community outreach, providing case management services, assist families in maintaining their stay at

the shelter, crisis management and de-escalation, life skills, connection to income resources and/or public

benefits, determining rental amounts, landlord recruitment/mediation, attending meetings/trainings within the

community, collaborating care with service providers and multi-disciplinary teams. Further, the Case Manager may

be charged with developing program-specific specializations relevant to the needs of participating households, and

is expected to be aware of, and consistently apply, best practice standards in their applicable field of work.

Requires use of personal vehicle for service provision including securing and maintaining housing for the

participants enrolled in the program. The expectation is that 90% of the families engage in case management

services.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

· Ensures that the participant’s voice is heard, and their ideas play a prominent role in programming.

· Responsible for possessing an in-depth knowledge regarding program requirements, including the referral

process, support services, allowable costs, field-relevant best practices, the sheltering system, and HUD

permanent housing: rapid re-housing standards.

· Provides housing case management; ensures participants receive regular engagement opportunities for

services.

· Responsible for collecting necessary documents to obtain and maintain housing: identification

documents, income changes, changes in household, etc.

· Responsible for identifying and serving the unique needs of participant households participating in

Volunteers of America programs and utilizing screening and assessment tools and ensuring the

completion of needs-based screenings.

· Involved in intakes, housing orientations, lease-ups and ongoing educational opportunities for

participants.

· Assists with community-wide outreach to identify eligible participant households presenting with

substantial barriers to housing stability. Assist families in their search for housing: filling out rental

applications, interpreting leases and understanding tenant rights and responsibilities.

· The Case Manager facilitates the delivery of appropriate services for the households as indicated by

relevant service modalities through an equity lens.

· Coordinates services with community providers when needed.

· Demonstrates knowledge of resources, a passion for serving people experiencing homelessness, and the ability to contribute to the program-wide objectives of a diverse and dynamic team.

· Develops, directs, and monitors the implementation of quality Housing First/CTI-based supportive services tied to housing stability. Coordinates with the entire team to deliver services most appropriate to meet the needs of presenting households.

· Assists in relocating households as needed and securing emergency housing.

· Supports team members by serving as a resource for analyzing and solving problems and staying abreast of current issues and theories within the field

· Working with the families on ensuring timely follow up with regards to concerns and issues pertaining to their stay at the program.

· Attends orientations, trainings, education programs, staff meetings, community meetings, conferences and workshops as requested and applicable to meet the needs of the position. May provide training and mentorship to team members and community stakeholders regarding best practices in relevant service models and practices.

· Clearly documents all guest interactions along with required eligibility and demographic information. Obtains and maintains chronic homelessness documentation and disability documentation.

· Ensures timely reporting within data entry systems and hard copy files in accordance with grant guidelines. Develops specialized knowledge related to service delivery database systems within the organization including Service Point and Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).

· Ensure that families are entered into the ONEHOME Coordinated Entry System, to include administering the Coordinated Entry Standard Assessment, previously known as the VI-SPDAT.

· Performs duties in a professional manner by maintaining the confidentiality of all information and by participating effectively within and across teams.

· Maintains the physical and emotional safety of all guests in the facility. From time to time may need to assist with managing the community spaces and address any guest conflict immediately to de-escalate. Will contact emergency personnel as necessary and will accurately and adequately complete any reports or documentation required.

· Performs job responsibilities in accordance with the Social Work Code of Ethics.

· Performs all other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

· Must be willing to use vehicle for service provision throughout a seven-county area.

· Works in close proximity to other staff residing in the shelter system.

· Ability to quickly and safely go up and down stairs regularly to meet with families.

· Some lifting is required but should rarely exceed 50lbs.

POSITION TYPE AND EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

· Full time 40 hours per week Sunday through Thursday– 9:30 am – 6:30 pm

LOCATION Program is located at 4855 W Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80204.

Pay Range: $22.00-$23.00/hr

Employee must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health of self or others. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Employee will perform job according to applied laws. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. If you require a reasonable accommodation to perform this role, please contact [email protected] to begin the Interactive Process.

BENEFITS (eligibility is based on job type/status)

Vacation Time/Separate Sick Time

Paid Holidays/Floating Holidays/Personal Days

Volunteer/Wellness Day

Health, Dental, Vision, Pet Insurance

Tuition Assistance

Pension Plan

403b Retirement Plan with Agency Match

Life Insurance/Accident Insurance/Short

Employee Assistance/Work-Life Balance Program/Employee Discount Program

LifeLock with Norton

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Volunteers of America is an EEO Employer

POSITION WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL FILLED

VISA SPONSORSHIP IS NOT OFFERED FOR THIS ROLE

Veterans Strongly Encouraged to Apply

Requirements

COMPETENCIES

· Models core culture attributes of VOACO that include “AIRS” (Accountability, Integrity, Respect and Service).

· Models and VOACO’s three critical virtues of HHS (Hungry, Humble, People Smart).

· Utilization of various databases including Homeless Management Information System and Service Point.

· Ensures equitable and inclusive services.

· Ensures that resident(s) has an active voice in programming.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OF POSITION

· Bachelor’s degree in human services, social work, or a closely related field or related experience.

· At minimum, one full year of working with people experiencing homelessness.

· Must be bilingual in Spanish.

· Good organizational and planning skills; works well as part of a team.

· Colorado driver’s license and state-mandated automobile insurance. Reliable and accessible vehicle to transport guests.

· Complete program credentialing process, to include criminal and civil background checks within 30 days of hire and trainings required by funders and organization

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS OF POSITION

· Familiarity with current housing market information, housing trends and available resources.

· Experience working with families experiencing homelessness.

· Experience working with individuals experiencing severe and persistent mental health concerns.

· Crisis intervention skills.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

· Expert written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.

· High level of competency working with Microsoft Office suite and cloud-based applications.

· Strong time-management and prioritization skills.

· Experience working both independently and, in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.

· Strong organization skills