Case Manager Problem Solving Specialist

About Us:

VOALA
Helping Our Most Vulnerable Change Their Life Stories

Volunteers of America is a non-profit human services organization committed to serving people in need, strengthening families, and building communities. VOALA provides a variety of social services to Los Angeles area communities such as Head Start programs, Upward Bound college prep programs, veterans’ services, homeless shelters, low-income housing program as well as drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Learn more at www.voala.org.

PAY RATE: $23.06-$24.27 PER HOUR

JOB SUMMARY AND PURPOSE

The Case Manager (Specialist) – Problem Solving Specialist provides intensive housing crisis response and case management services to eligible clients, meeting participants at least weekly. Using active listening techniques, the Case Manager – Problem Solving Specialist is the primary point of contact to coordinate creative resolutions to a housing crisis – locating both temporary and permanent housing. Located at a VOALA shelter, and working is the field as needed, the Case Manager (Specialist) – Problem Solving Specialist focuses on resolving the housing crisis, but can refer to other resources as needed.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• As a member of the program case management team, provides information referrals, crisis intervention, and assistance with permanent housing placement for participants
• Assists Case Managers in conducting the culturally appropriate, comprehensive screenings and assessments to collect functional, environmental, financial, employment, housing, educational, and health information, as appropriate, to develop a Housing Stability Plan
• Meets with participants to learn about family dynamics, and cultural factors that may assist in finding housing inside the participant’s network or family, as a last resort utilizing the resources of the Program to obtain housing, helps participants establish a plan to sustain housing permanently
• Assists in budgeting with participants, to determine what level of assistance (if any) is needed to resolve housing crisis
• Coordinates follow-up services with participants and case management team
• Identifies and locates housing options suitable for homeless participants, including referral to VOALA shelters as appropriate.
• Creates and maintains a housing database linking tenants to apartments
• Communicates with and visits, families, outside service providers and landlords to familiarize them with the program and the unique needs of participants
• Conducts habitability and lead-based paint inspections of housing options as needed
• Works directly (One on One) with landlords on behalf of clients and program
• Develops support systems to meet individual client's housing needs; coordinates and facilitates move-in activities, rental negotiations, and service referrals as needed
• Facilitates the use of community resources to assist both tenants and landlords in the event of problems leading to potential eviction
• Provide service linkages and support systems to ensure identified needs are met, coordinate with outside service providers.
• Continuously works to identify and apply new, creative approaches and solutions for each participant/family
• Additional duties as assigned
• Other duties as required

Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Services or related discipline, Or
• Equivalent combination of education and work experience (four years)

EXPERIENCE:

• 2 years of experience as a Case Manager
• 1 year assisting the homeless find housing
• Experience working with clients with co-morbidities (chronic health, mental health, substance abuse issues, for example)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 2 years of experience counseling target population
• HMIS navigation
• Bilingual in Spanish

Volunteers of America is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law

This employer participates in E-Verify as required by the federal government and will provide the federal government with your Form 1-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (OHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment.