Encampment Case Manager

DEPARTMENT: Shelter ServicesREPORTS TO: Director of Shelter ServicesPROGRAM SUMMARYAs a core part of the encampment resolution process, the Office of Homeless Services has established designated temporary housing opportunities for those who are transitioning from housing encampments within the City of Philadelphia (public spaces not meant for habitation). As a partner with the Office of Homeless Services (OHS), One Day at a Time (ODAAT) operates a program that is designed for targeted low barrier access to temporary housing for individuals who are leaving encampment spaces. The program provides temporary housing, supportive programming, and case management services for those who are experiencing homelessness. Program participants are identified by the Encampment Resolution Team (ERT) and other Street Outreach programs under the auspices of the Office of Homeless Services and Department of Behavior Health and Intellectual Disability Services (DBHIDS). These teams directly engage street homeless individuals who are residing in identified encampments throughout the City of Philadelphia. Once identified, Outreach teams utilize a social service led approach by assessing and evaluating the mental, physical, and psychological wellness of potential consumers who are residing in these communities. Participants are referred and if accepted, transported to One Day at a Time (ODAAT) by the same Outreach team who engaged and assessed the participant.POSITION SUMMARYThe Encampment Program Case Manager is a caring and compassionate individual who performs professional and administrative duties to screen, assess, and facilitate needs for participants within the program. The Case Manager will establish relationships with those in the Encampment project, gain an understanding of their specific needs and goals, engage and connect them with services. The Case Manager will serve as the primary advisor to help participants navigate their transition from street homelessness to stable housing. The Case Manager will work with the participant to create a housing plan that set goals to create a pathway from which the participant is able to transition from shelter to permanent housing. Additionally, the Case Manager will work collaboratively with program supports outside of ODAAT that are a part of care plans for program residents. The Case Manager will provide biopsychosocial assessment, service care plans, inter-agency collaboration and referrals for program participants. Furthermore, the Case Manager will refer for adjunct services such as social services, mental health or non-treatment related services.KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES• Performs a variety of direct clinical, diagnostic, trauma focused engagement and assessment, and outreach services.• Collaborate with participants in the formulation of a comprehensive service plan that is reviewed and modified with that person on a regular basis.• Develop assessments of client needs.• Conducts case management duties regarding service plan, keeps case progress notes, and related matters to Encampment Program enrollment.• May assess social, emotional and economic causes of problem behavior and mental or emotional help; in doing so develop and or modify goals and objectives for service plans.• Maintain a client file for auditing and to ensure compliance.• Ensures compliance with related federal, state and local regulations, as well as ODAAT/UAC and county policies and procedures.• Assists with program planning, implementation and evaluation of activities.• Provide outreach, service coordination, counseling, advocacy, and other needed services to participants transitioning from any environment including the streets, shelters, prisons, hospitals, etc.• Coordinate and monitor referrals to community services, and advocate client participation in them.• Educate, inform and advocate for consumers regarding benefits and entitlements (Social Security, Public Assistance, etc.).• Develop a Housing Stability Plan that will ensure the stability of household needs.• Provide clients with referrals for services through the Resource Specialist• Provide follow-up services to clients.• Provide data and narrative information for periodic reports• Participates in community outreach and public relations activities.• Assist with planning and supporting socialization and outreach events.• Attend all mandated training activities.• Ability to organize time, prioritize assignments, including the ability to work flexible hours.• Actively support executives with client and partner collaboration.• Other duties as assigned.QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS• Prior housing case management, outreach, or community work experience in the field required, Associates Degree preferred.• Ability to understand City of Philadelphia Homeless Services Support systems• Maintain a professional, customer service-oriented attitude at all times with strong interpersonal skills• Ability to meet face-to-face with individuals of diverse backgrounds and disabilities, including physical, mental, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, etc.• Proficient with Microsoft Office software, including Excel and Outlook• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills• Must have the ability to work independently and as a team member• Demonstrates initiative and problem-solving abilities• Ability to learn and apply written policies and procedures related to work• Able to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with clients• Possess well-developed decision-making skills and attention to detail• Able to multitask and remain calm in demanding and unpredictable situations• Possess excellent time management skills and the ability to work with minimum supervision, while adhering to deadlines• Able to meet a flexible work schedule including holidays, evenings and weekends• Available on-call for emergencies by telephone and/or cell phone• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite software.• Ability to develop rapport, provide information, and refer to cultural issues with sensitivity• Bilingual a plus.PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS• Able to lift/move weight up to 50lbs.• Vision adequate to perform the responsibilities and functions of the job efficiently.• Must be able to sit for 2 or more hours per day• Must be able to stand for 2 or more hours per dayWORK ENVIRONMENTThe employee will work in an office and public, service-delivery environment. Hectic situations can occur in the public area of the facility characteristic to working in a community. Potential exists for volatile and unpredictable situations to occur. May experience exposure to strong odors such as soiled clothes or poor hygiene. The qualifications, physical demands, and work environment described herein are representative of those an employee will encounter and must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities.The candidate for this position may be subject to any of the following screenings as part of the pre-employment process: Motor Vehicle Report (MVR), PA Criminal Background Check, and pre-employment drug/alcohol screen.Interested applicants should include their resume along with salary requirements.(Telephone calls will not be accepted)