WORK SCHEDULE: This position is full-time regular and non-exempt.  The work schedule will vary by program and may include a weekend shift. We generally have 3 shifts: Business hours 8am-4pm, 9am-5pm, 10am-6pm.

COVID vaccinations are mandated at YouthCare.  Employees will be required to submit proof of vaccination or have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation at time of On-Boarding.   Please note:  Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.

NON-MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES ARE REPRESENTED BY THE OFFICE AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES’ INTERNATIONAL UNION (OPEIU) Local 8.

POSITION SUMMARY:  Under the supervision of CEA Specialist, the Case Manager – Housing Navigator will be responsible for providing intensive case management services to homeless or unstably housed young people ages 18-24.

TEAM OVERVIEW: The Centralized Client Services Team includes approximately 29 team members focused on creating a strong safety net of coordinated client services for youth and young adults. Staff work alongside clients engaged in services at any of YouthCare’s 17 sites, including local schools, community centers, and other community-based locations.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain an active caseload of approximately 15 CCS clients, engage participants through strengths-based and harm reduction approaches to provide a high quality of care that is flexible and responsive to each person’s unique needs and preferences, prioritizing help with obtaining safe and stable housing.
• Provide weekly, direct-engagement, case management, including one-on-one counseling and assistance with appropriate resources (such as DSHS, obtaining ID, legal services, healthcare appointments, etc.)
• Assess each participant’s need for services. Develop and document service plans with participants. Work with client and internal and external staff to track progress and help clients achieve goals related to housing, well-being, community connectedness, and financial stability.
• Network with resource providers, grow partnerships and foster community to expand opportunities for clients to connect with services. Facilitate wrap-around services with community partners.
• Provide crisis intervention and crisis counseling as needed.
• Complete and submit all documentation in a timely manner, including client intake and exit paperwork, case notes, program narratives and service plans.
• Complete reports and maintain records as assigned. Ensure all client-related data is both current and accurate in client files, required reports, and YouthCare’s client management system- CaseWorthy.
• Attending Centralized Case Management Meetings, Coordinated Entry for ALL (CEA) case conferencing, and any other meeting, event, or engagement as required.
• Reliably attend and contribute to training and development as needed for your role and the needs of our agency as a whole such as program requirements, DEI&J, supervision and other as identified.
• Contribute to our DEI&J culture by creating at least one SMART Goal related to DEI&J within your control to deliver.

This job description is not intended to cover every aspect of your job at YouthCare. We are a team that works together to meet the needs of our clients and every member of the team is expected to pitch in and help even beyond the specific responsibilities listed in this description.

QUALIFICATIONS –                

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• 1 or more years of case management experience.
• 1 or more years working with young people experiencing homelessness.
• Experience working in crisis situations and de-escalation techniques.
• Understanding of issues affecting young people experiencing homelessness; knowledge of age-appropriate resources.
• High School Diploma or GED.
• Experience and credentials must comply with program contractual requirements, including but not limited to the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) background clearance process and must be at least 21 years of age.  DCYF Clearance must be maintained for entirety of employment when working with under-18 clients.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

• 2 or more years of case management experience.
• Experience placing and supporting young people in rental market permanent housing, liaising with landlords, developing landlords and housing resources.
• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field and/or experience may be substituted for education on a year for year basis.
• Previous education or training in the areas of social work, youth development, anti-oppression, chemical dependency, and root causes of poverty and social justice issues.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Must be able to provide I-9 supporting documentation for employment.
• Ability to provide a negative TB Test (results must be within one year of hire date).
• Employees who drive YouthCare vehicles as a requirement for their position, must be at least 21 years of old, possess a valid Washington State Driver’s License, meet minimum safe driver criteria established by the agency and our insurance company which includes completion of Defensive Driving and 15-passenger Van trainings. Drivers under the age of 25 must have been licensed for at least 3 years and those operating vehicles with a capacity of 15 or more passengers must be at least 25 years old.
• Ability to obtain a current Food Handler’s Card
• Successful completion of pre-service training courses as required by contracting agencies.  Training such as CPR & First Aid (Adult/Child), Bloodborne Pathogens, and Behavior Management.
• Computer software skills including Windows, Microsoft outlook, Microsoft Word.
• Initiative, creativity, reliability, flexibility, thoroughness.
• Demonstraable verbal and communications skills.
• High integrity when dealing with a broad array of cultures and restricted and/or confidential information.
• Ability to deal therapeutically with behavioral and emotional problems presented by young people and understanding of emotionally, physically, and sexually abused young people.
• Ability to coordinate overall program functioning.
• Ability to accurately maintain and produce files, records, logs and reports.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries with clients while building trust and respect.
• Ability and willingness to stay awake and alert during overnight shifts.
• Ability to verbally and physically respond to an aggressive person in ways that de-escalate, establish and maintain staff and young peoples’ safety.
• May be required to assume responsibilities or duties within the agency not specifically delineated in this job description for short periods of time or on an infrequent basis.
• Commitment to YouthCare’s initiative to build cultural proficiency across the agency. Acceptance of a variety of lifestyles, behaviors, and cultural and spiritual practices.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to perform a range of physical motions, exerting up to 50 pounds. Lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds; standing, walking, sitting for long periods of time, kneeling, squatting, and stooping; running for brief periods of time; and go up and down stairs.