Case Manager

To be considered, please submit a cover letter that specifically addresses how your experience relates to this position.

Organization Overview

Established in 1993, Operation Dignity is a nonprofit organization providing housing and supportive services for homeless veterans, veteran families, and homeless populations in Alameda County. Operation Dignity operates emergency, transitional, and permanent supportive housing programs in Alameda, Berkeley, and Oakland. We create pathways to housing for, and with, the most vulnerable members of our community.

Position Summary

The Case Manager is based at House of Dignity a transitional housing program for homeless veterans in Oakland, CA. This position will work specifically with homeless veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs Grant & Per Diem (VA GPD) program models.

The Case Manager provides case management counseling and support for residents during their stay, building upon resident’s strengths and addressing the following issues: substance abuse challenges, mental health conditions, illness and health concerns, medical health concerns, poverty, and the transition from jail, streets, and chronic homelessness. The Case Manager supports residents to gain the skills and desire to move to suitable housing options.

Major Job Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Case Management and Service Coordination

• Develop a thorough understanding of the VA GPD program and the program models, including target populations, service methodology, and VA guidelines.
• Develop a trusting relationship with and create a safe foundation for each client to envision positive change, seek support and achieve their goals. Maintain respectful, caring, strength-based, and empowering relationships with all clients.
• Provide consistent and compassionate case management counseling with clients.
• Coordinate services with VA liaison and community-based partners to ensure clients receive comprehensive services, including mental health, legal assistance, entitlement benefits, health care, substance abuse treatment, job training, and housing assistance.
• Conduct a thorough psychosocial assessment within 24 hours that identifies the client’s strengths and challenges. The assessment identifies risk factors that must be addressed for a successful program outcome.
• Engage clients to develop a Self-Sufficiency Case Plan (“SSP”) within 48 hours, identifying the action steps needed to achieve their goals. Monitor client progress towards meeting their goals to attain self-sufficiency and move to transitional or permanent housing.
• Intervene in crisis situations to de-escalate clients and promote positive solutions. Inform supervisors of crisis matters in a timely manner.
• Provide early intervention, intensive support, and mediation to foster a successful stay and ensure community stability.
• Initiate a case conference and advocate on behalf of clients, including the VA liaison, to prevent discharge due to non-compliance with program guidelines. Refer to VA outpatient services and monitor contract until completed.
• Monitor progress through various measures, including participation in supportive services and required group sessions and house meetings; assist residents through weekly monitoring of sobriety if they request it as part of their SSP; willingness to abide by Operation Dignity regulations; willingness to abide by guidelines of probation and parole (as applicable).
• Other duties as assigned.

1. Housing and Job Search Assistance

• Work with clients on a daily basis to prepare them to successfully move to affordable transitional housing, permanent housing, or other safe and suitable living environments.
• Support clients’ vocational choices and assist them in choosing a job that matches their strengths; help clients to overcome job-related anxiety by reviewing job applications and providing interview tips. Assist clients in building social skills that will enhance job acquisition and tenure.
• Assist program management in tracking veterans’ attainment of housing and employment; in order to track progress toward GPD program model outcomes.

1. Communications and Record-Keeping

• Maintain thorough, accurate, and up-to-date files, including progress notes, case plans, audits, and other pertinent documentation regarding services for each client. Input case notes and supportive services provided for each client in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). Files must be updated within 24 hours of client interaction or action related to the client.
• Maintain professional relationships and boundaries with clients and co-workers, while maintaining a strict level of confidentiality. Discuss clients only to support their goals in a private setting.
• Participate in regular case conferences to review client progress.
• Actively participate in weekly staff meetings to discuss client progress and offer suggestions regarding community resources to support clients. E-mail weekly reports relating to client progress to all supervisors the day prior to the staff meeting.
• Follow-up on incident reports in a timely manner until attaining a satisfactory resolution.
• Engage in effective and respectful communications with VA and community partners.
• Develop an understanding of other program models at Operation Dignity, and support colleagues to provide the needed level of care to all resident veterans.

1. Staff Development and Organizational Culture

• Participate in regular supervision sessions to enhance skills and safeguard personal health and wellness.
• Participate in strategic planning and team-building sessions, as requested.
• Contribute to the creation of a positive, productive, and supportive work environment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Must have education and/or experience relating to the required responsibilities.
• Knowledge of case management principles and community resources.
• Knowledge of the Recovery process and the ability to facilitate recovery using established standardized mental health processes, including harm reduction and trauma-informed care.
• Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of mental illness (i.e., auditory and visual hallucinations, aggressive talk and behavior, thoughts of self-harm or harm towards others, isolation) and the ability to assist the client to address symptoms using strategies such as positive self-talk.
• Knowledge of how to establish and sustain self-help (mutual support) and educational groups by soliciting client input on their strengths and interests.
• Ability to bring a compassionate, empowering presence to homeless veterans.
• Ability to remain calm and promote positive solutions with clients in crisis.
• Cultural competency and ability to establish effective professional relationships with a diverse group of staff and clients.
• Strong verbal, written, and communication skills.
• Strong time management skills and ability to fulfill documentation requirements.

Operation Dignity is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To be considered, please submit a cover letter that specifically addresses how your experience relates to this position.