Compensation: $28.32/hour
Our Women's Shelter is temporarily running in Emeryville. The location of this position will start at the Emeryville location.

Company Overview

For more than 50 years, Berkeley Food & Housing Project (BFHP) has provided a comprehensive range of housing, food, and support services to help those in need move from homelessness into a safe and affordable home of their own. We serve in six counties in the bay area - Alameda County, Contra Costa County, Solano County, Sacramento County, San Joaquin County and Amador County. We are proud of our team members who are very dedicated in our mission to ease and end the crisis of homelessness in our communities.

Program Overview

The Dwight Way Women’s Shelter is a 32-bed shelter for women. The program assists shelter residents in exiting homelessness to permanent housing. Services provided by the Dwight Way (DW) Housing Case Manager includes housing readiness activities, housing searches, permanent housing placements, employment services and assistance in obtaining benefits.

Position Summary

The DW Housing Case Manager provides a variety of services to address housing barriers and to increase housing stability, including service coordination to ensure that participants are connected to all necessary supportive services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct and document initial intake for all new client referrals.
• Participate in the North County Regional Coordination Meeting.
• Provide intensive housing and vocational case management.
• Actively involve clients in the design and delivery of supportive services by ensuring they have an active voice in their goal/service plans.
• Create a Housing Plan with each resident 10 days after the initial intake ensuring that the resident provides input into the plan.
• Review and revise each Housing Plan at least quarterly ensuring housing goals and outcomes remain relevant and are attained.
• Collaborate with the DW Shelter Program Manager to maintain positive landlord relationships.
• Develop individual budgets with each shelter resident.
• Provide service coordination and linkages to include mental health assessments and referrals, SUD treatment, vocational and employment assistance, general health and dental services, income support and benefits, and consumer and family involvement, if appropriate.
• Conduct at a minimum, weekly meetings with each resident to identify short and long-term goals, money management, and employment and education opportunities.
• Assist residents in retaining their shelter bed and maximize each resident’s independence and self-sufficiency by providing linkage and referral to appropriate community services and resources.
• Maintain and secure comprehensive case files and prepare and submit all programmatic reports as required.
• Collaborate with the Shelter Program Manager to do a quarterly client chart audit.
• Successfully train on the HMIS and Alameda County Coordinated Entry System.
• Maintain HMIS database records, including client intakes, program entry and program exit.
• Ensure that all data is entered into HMIS within 24 hours of service delivery.
• Provide information and recommendations to the Program Manager regarding program evaluation and modifications to better meet resident needs, community needs, funding requirements and BFHP mission.
• Co-facilitate with the Shelter Program Manager housing clinics, groups and other Housing Case Management activities.
• Participate in department staff meetings and case conference meetings.
• Provide crisis interventions supporting the Shelter Program Manager and/or Shelter Resident Advocates, as needed.
• Build relationships with landlords in Alameda County or surrounding areas.
• Create and maintain a landlord listing database.
• Match landlord qualifications with client needs.
• Perform or arrange housing inspections prior to move-in.
• Assist in negotiation of rents with landlords.
• Collect and keep files of income certifications, calculations of subsidies and lease approvals for residents’ direct lease contracts.
• Ensure that all regulatory agreements, contracts, and fair housing laws are met as they relate to housing.
• Provide shelter residents with the housing resources needed to reach their permanent housing goals.
• Accompany shelter residents to unit viewings, lease signings and all housing appointments.
• In collaboration with the Shelter Program Manager, facilitate warm hand-off meetings with external providers to ensure a smooth transition from shelter to permanent housing.
• Provide individual and group education regarding housing retention, tenancy skills, tenancy rights and money management.
• Adhere to laws regarding confidentiality and reporting requirements; maintain knowledge of current HIPAA certification standards.
• Document all services provided both in the client chart and through HMIS, including client intakes, program entry and program exit.
• Complete all annual BFHP trainings, as required.
• Perform other related duties as required by supervisor.

Qualifications, Skills and Abilities

• BA/BS in Social Work or 3 years of experience required.
• Minimum of two years previous case management experience.
• Knowledge of homelessness, mental health and substance use required.
• Excellent knowledge of local housing market.
• Capacity to set priorities in consultation with supervisor.
• Good conflict resolution.
• Ability to meet deadlines and complete multiple tasks in a timely manner.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to maintain professional conduct, attitude and appearance at all times.
• Capacity to work independently and as part of a team.
• Must have experience with Microsoft Office, databases, and be comfortable learning and working with different computer programs.

Special Requirements

• Must have a valid driver’s license, reliable personal vehicle and clean DMV record.
• Must be able to obtain background check clearance.
• Must be able to lift or move up to 50 lbs.

We are extremely proud of our diverse team and welcome all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, language, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.