Case Manager

Description

Position Title: Case Manager

Reports To: Case Manager Supervisor

Classification: Full-Time

Location: NW, Washington, DC 20016

Hours: Flexible schedule (Monday-Friday), between 7am-8pm, some evenings, holidays and weekends may be required, and participates in on-call rotation. 

About Us: Friendship Place is a nonprofit organization, serving the Washington, DC region, empowering individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness to rebuild their lives with the involvement of the community. Friendship Place offers the most effective model for addressing homelessness, with innovative, customized programs that have positive, demonstrable results and a lasting impact on the community and beyond. Our programs are person-centric and individualized to meet the needs and goals of individuals, families, youth/young adults and Veterans experiencing homelessness. We provide outreach, hospitality, health care, case management, housing, job placement services, and advocacy. We have established a national presence and are known for sharing best practices in the field.

Our Core Values: Our Core Values: Friendship Place is a Person-First Organization that promotes transparency and ethical practices among our team and those we serve. All individuals in our organization are expected to perform their job duties in a manner consistent with our core values. This includes the following: Excellence and Innovation; Finding Ways to Say “Yes,”; Caring at the Core; Agents of Change; Support, Empowerment and Development; Building Relationships; and Integrity and Accountability.

Summary: The position provides support to participants in bridge housing who are transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing. The bridge housing model seeks to stabilize participants and coordinate with external providers to house participants within 90 days. The Valley Place approach embraces a Housing First model and philosophy. The Case Manager works to empower participants to rebuild their lives, relying on their own strengths, and using wraparound resources in a holistic, participant-driven process.

Responsibilities:

• Provide supportive services to individuals experiencing homelessness with serious mental illnesses, addictions, medical concerns, etc.
• Deliver face-to-face contacts to participants, and work in conjunction with external providers
• Demonstrate empathy and flexibility in responding to participants’ needs and requests fostering wellness and independence
• Engage participants and assess individual needs, preferences, and strengths
• Develop short-term goals to help stabilize participants and support their transition into permanent housing.
• Assist participants in locating and selecting wraparound services
• Monitor medical/psychiatric needs and medication management of all household members
• Assist participants in securing adequate housing resources
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings and regular supervision
• Complete progress notes and all mandatory paperwork within required timeframes (48 hours for case notes, 24 hours for unusual incidents)
• Maintain participant’s electronic records in the Housing the Homeless database and onsite participants records
• Attend at least 2 required TCP trainings per month 
• Perform all other duties as assigned

Requirements

Education & Qualifications:

• A case manager shall have a minimum of an associate’s degree or two years of college. 
• In lieu of the education requirement, the provider shall ensure the case manager has a minimum of two years of experience with homeless services programs or the provision of social services. Two years of experience may be waived if the candidate for employment can document having experienced homelessness. 
• Both education and work experience can be substituted if an individual has received a Peer Case Management Certification through DHS’s Peer Case Management Institute.

Skills and Competencies:

• Must have or be able to obtain a First Aid/CPR/AED certification that includes a hands-on skills testing module. Friendship Place will provide First Aid/CPR/AED training.
• Valid driver’s license and current auto insurance.
• Understanding of adult rehabilitation services and a person-centered approach
• Experience working with individuals experiencing chronic homelessness
• Experience with addictions, mental health, and co-occurring disorders
• Strong written and verbal skills
• Ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
• Ability to work well under pressure
• Ability to work as a team player
• Strong commitment to mission, including racial equity and social justice
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organization skill and attention to detail
• Ability to work well under pressure and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced dynamic environment
• Solid decision-making and problem-solving skills
• Strong knowledge of human development, empowerment, and solution-focused principles
• Understanding of evidence-based practices in case management services, homeless services, trauma-informed care, Housing First, and recovery-oriented services.
• Experience with families, youth, and housing systems
• Experience with additions, mental health, and co-occurring disorders
• Proficient in Microsoft Programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.)
• Experience with Customer Assessment, Tracking and Case History (CATCH), and Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) is a plus.
• Strong commitment to mission, organizational core values, including racial equity, social justice, and cultural competency/sensitivity.
• Excellent Customer Service
• Ability to create a familial and nurturing environment among staff and participants; experience with leading and motivating teams. 
• Integrity, tenacity, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed with alignment to FP’s mission

Physical and Environmental Requirements: The role requires a balance of office-based tasks and fieldwork, including travel throughout the service area to meet with households, as well as participating in meetings and engagements with key stakeholders. 

Working conditions: The office is located in an apartment building and exposed to conditions that arise in homes, including occasionally biohazards (e.g., blood, tissue, human waste) and conflict.

Employees must be able to sit for extended periods with repetitive motions and positions. The employee must be able to operate a motorized vehicle. Some lifting may be required (up to 20-25 lbs.)

This role involves working closely with individuals who may be experiencing mental health or substance use challenges. At times, the work may involve exposure to emotionally sensitive or challenging situations. Employee must be compassionate, self-aware, and able to maintain healthy boundaries while supporting others in a respectful and trauma-informed way.

Background Checks: This position is considered Safety Sensitive according to DHS. The selected candidate will be required to pass a criminal history background check and/or fingerprinting, including FBI, and Metropolitan Police Clearance, CFSA, NSO, Employment and Education Verification, personal and professional references, TB test, a UDS, and clearance from the Department of Motor Vehicles

Direct Reports: None

Indirect Reports: None

Specific Requirements: Must have reliable transportation to carry out job duties and responsibilities. The vehicle must meet legal requirements (insured, registered, etc.) and the employee must have a valid driver's license.

Other Details:

• Application Deadline: This job is open until filled, or the hiring manager determines that they can no longer accept applications.
• Compensation: The hiring pay range is between $58,117 - $63,506 annually. The starting annual salary is based on a step system. A candidate’s starting pay determination is made based on meeting the basic position requirements, and current completed education, credentials, and/or work experience. Please Note: The step system is set and not open to pay negotiation. 
• Benefits: We offer an excellent benefits package including low-cost health insurance, health reimbursement, and flexible spending accounts, employer-paid dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, 403B defined contribution plan matching, employee assistance programs, professional development, employee resource groups, 14 paid holidays, 15 days of vacation and 10 days of sick leave during 1st year of employment, and much more! (Benefits are pro-rated for part-time employees).
• COVID-19: All Friendship Place employees, regardless of their vaccination status, must continue to take precautions against the spread of COVID-19, in accordance with agency’s COVID-19 protocols and applicable law and guidance. This includes but is not limited to, wearing masks in congregated settings, washing their hands or using hand sanitizer often, monitoring their daily health, and staying home if they are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms (or if they are otherwise prohibited from reporting to work by health provider pursuant to CDC, state and local guidance). Since the public health and legal landscapes regarding this policy are subject to frequent changes, Friendship Place reserves the right to amend or cancel this policy at any time at its sole discretion, consistent with applicable law, consistent with CDC guidelines and the DC Department of Health.
• Location: Washington, DC
• Interview Process: Phone screening, panel style interview, final interview.
• Website: www.friendshipplace.org

Diversity & Equal Opportunity Statement: Friendship Place is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our team and want to involve all those who can contribute to our inclusive culture. We support all qualified individuals within our workforce without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, personal appearance, familial status, family responsibilities, political affiliations, matriculation, credit, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

How to Apply: Interested applicants should apply via the organizational website. All of our current career openings can be found by visiting: https://friendshipplace.org/who-we-are/careers/