Case Manager Specialist (Part-Time)

Description

About the City of Banning

The City of Banning is located in the San Gorgonio Pass area of Southern California. The community of over 30,000 people is diverse with income levels slightly lower than other areas of Riverside County. However, growth and development are occurring rapidly, which will create new jobs, increase the population, and raise income levels. Our employees are the most important asset in preserving our proud history, creating a prosperous tomorrow, and in responding to the community’s needs. The City provides competitive salaries, outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities.

City Vision

The City of Banning promotes and supports a high quality of life that ensures a safe and friendly environment, fosters new opportunities and provides responsible, fair treatment to all and is the pride of its citizens.

Core Values

• Customer Service Excellence: We excel in what we do by staying responsive, flexible, patient, effective, and professional.
• Integrity: We are ethical, accountable, and compliant with our responsibility to the public and community.
• Teamwork: We work together and maintain great communication and respect and foster a fun and enjoyable atmosphere to take pleasure in what we do.
• Yes Minded: We recognize diversity and maintain a positive attitude to do all we can to serve the community in the safest and most responsible manner.

Performance Expectations

• Respectful: Contributes to a positive work culture consistent with the City of Banning Leadership Philosophy.
• Enthusiastic
• Accountable
• Dedicated
• Yes-Minded Leadership: actively welcomes new approaches to public service and supports change and process improvements at all levels within the organization.
• Teamwork: Demonstrates ability and willingness to work collaboratively with a team.
• Communication: Communicates effectively with peers, supervisors, subordinates, and individuals to who service is provided.

Job Purpose/Summary

The Shelter Worker reports to the Site Coordinator or designate and works in accordance with the mission and philosophy of Opportunity Village. The Shelter Worker carries out a variety of duties related to supporting guests while at an emergency shelter including assessments of needs, providing support that meets the crisis needs of guests entering the shelter including, but not limited to: intake, developing a plan of action, being an advocate for the guest, arranging for the provision of housing, food, clothing, services and support toward solutions of issues that have rendered them homeless. The Shelter Worker deals with the public, law enforcement, volunteers, other service agencies and professionals involved in the support of the guests.

Examples of Duties

The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification. Shown are duties intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

Essential Functions

• Inform and educate homeless individuals of services and benefits available to them to assist in transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing and self-sufficiency; provide general as well as one-on-one assistance and referrals to various social services providers in the area.
• Work closely with external agency program Case Managers, homeless service providers, law enforcement, local businesses, faith-based organizations and other entities that provide outreach education or consultation to assist homeless individuals with short and long term care goals that will include strategies to overcome barriers to self-sufficiency and to obtain permanent housing.
• Serve as an advocate for homeless individuals in securing social services, mainstream benefits, medical care, and housing opportunities and provide support to clients in securing and following through on obtaining and utilizing available services.
• Formulate plans for homeless individuals to obtain educational, psychological or social assessments and treatments, work skills training, substance abuse treatment, and/or other relevant workshops provided by other entities.
• As part of a team, provide supportive services to the chronically homeless mentally ill who may or may not have occurring issues with domestic violence, substance abuse, a criminal history and/or related chronic conditions or behavior.
• Participates as a team member with other staff to ensure a safe and caring environment by performing duties such as responding to emergency issues and supporting others through methods such as sharing knowledge and information.
• Maintain documentation and records of client and field contacts; prepare reports on the client’s progress and status; prepare statistical data and generate reports as required.
• Provide supervision and oversight of sheltered clients of Opportunity Village.
• Performs a variety of cleaning duties such as toilet cleaning, shower cleaning, general clean up of assigned area.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• City, County, State and Federal statutes, rules, regulations, ordinances, codes, administrative policies and other operational guidelines and directives pertaining to local government operations.
• Individual and group dynamics including volunteers and community-based organizations.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and software.
• English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Community and multi-cultural structures, issues, and tensions.
• Motivational interviewing and the concept of trauma informed approach while working with the homeless population.

Ability to:

• Deal tactfully, diplomatically and objectively with homeless individuals and their relatives
• Provide encouragement and demonstrate patience and understanding in dealing with homeless people and others in need
• Interact effectively and patiently with resistant individuals, those who may not clearly grasp their situation or condition, and those with poor personal hygiene, illnesses or communicable diseases;
• Communicate and work well with people from various socio-economic, cultural or ethnic backgrounds;
• Develop effective and cooperative working relationships with a wide variety of community service providers, both public and private; maintain confidentiality and respect individual privacy;
• Learn to effectively manage difficult emotional people and situations;
• Speak with community groups and representatives in an empathetic and responsive manner regarding their concerns;
• Gather data and prepare statistical analyses and reports;
• Organize information and resources in order to coordinate appropriate services for homeless individuals available through various community, law enforcement and faith based organizations; maintain accurate records and prepare written reports.

Typical Qualifications

Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Equivalent to graduation from high school.
• Desire background in social services, Bachelor level social work, sociology or other social sciences; Substitution: Fifteen (15) semester units of college course work in human services, psychology, counseling, child development, counseling, ethnic studies, communications, or a closely related field may be substituted for six months of experience up to a total of two years.
• One year of paid or volunteer experience working with the homeless and related community service organizations is desirable.
• A valid California Driver License must be obtained prior to start of employment.

Necessary Special Requirements:

• Some positions may require the possession of a valid California driver license
• Some positions may require bilingual (English/Spanish) certification within specified timeframe for continued employment
• Must be willing and available to work various shifts as needed and assigned by management for a 24/7 facility

Desired:

• Experience working in a 24/7 residential facility
• Experience working with individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness

Skill to:

• Operate a computer and applicable software. Understand the organization and operation of the local government.
• Write creatively and edit reports and publications covering a wide range of submit matter.
• Exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects and/or demands
• Work within deadlines to complete projects and assignments.
• Work effectively with diverse, multi-cultural, religious groups.

Supplemental Information

Working Environment: Indoor office environment with moderate noise level and subject to constant interruptions. May be required to work outside the traditional work schedule. May be subject to call out and/or call-back. Outdoor environment with moderate noise level and moderate weather conditions.

Physical demands: This position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, and turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine coordination in preparing documents and reports and data using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near vision in reading correspondence, statistical data and using a computer, and acute hearing is required when providing phone service and communicating in person. May be required to lift and/or carry heavy, bulky supplies, materials, equipment and/or items weighing up to 40 pounds. It is critical that the individual in this position meet established customer service objectives and provide staff leadership in customer service to technicians and administrative support, other city employees and consultants.