Rapid Rehousing Case Manager ll

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned:

Supportive Services

• Ensure that all established RRH program goals are met or exceeded. This includes, maintaining regular monthly contact with all assigned participants and their landlords, supporting RRH program participants as needed to ensure they do not return to homelessness, meeting and/or exceeding programmatic goals defined internally and by funders.
• Assess new referrals’ eligibility for RRH program services and enroll eligible participants into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) in a prompt manner.
• Locate housing for participants when needed, conduct inspections, establish and maintain relationships with landlords or property managers, and facilitate execution renewal of leases. Advocate on behalf of participants to promote housing quality and stability.
• Assist participants with moving and obtaining furniture, housing supplies, and other needs.

Case Management

• Assess participants’ potential barriers to maintaining stable housing. Provide them with coaching, support and referrals to improve housing retention, stability, quality of life and self-sufficiency (e.g. providing support with budgeting life skills, tenancy skills, communication skills i.e.)
• Facilitate an introduction between participants and Employment Navigator to explore employment and training interests and opportunities.
• Work with assigned participants to assist in the creation of goal-based action plans and revise them when necessary.
• Provide coaching, case management and other supportive services to make progress on their goal-based action plans including working with partners and children. Maintain regular contact, including visits to participants’ apartments.
• Provide resources, referrals and follow-up for household members to meet families’ comprehensive needs and advocate on behalf of participants to ensure they receive needed services.
• Identify strategies to address any long-term or chronic issues, such as substance use or mental illness, which might compromise achievement of goals and trigger relapse into homelessness.
• Ensure that all school-age children are enrolled in school by obtaining necessary documentation and that children under 5 have appropriate developmental assessments.
• Maintain case notes and service plans on participants' progress and complete all required tracking and reports in a prompt manner.
• Work with housing staff to organize and facilitate tenant surveys, obtain tenant feedback and facilitate tenant meetings as needed.

Program Support

• Maintain appropriate data collection within the HMIS and reporting as required for internal management reports, external funding sources, and regulatory agencies.
• Prepare for and participate in program audits.
• Prepare monthly requests for payment of rent and utility bills, and track collection of tenant rent, working with Finance Department. Follow up on rent-arrears and ensure participants are abiding by the terms of payment plan.
• Provide suggestions to senior staff to develop new or modify existing services, policies and protocols to meet the needs of program participants in alignment with the agency’s strategic directions.
• Contribute to the development and evaluation of the housing program.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The following requirements are representative of the education, experience and skills necessary for the position.

Able to travel for home visits and meetings. High school diploma required and/or equivalent life experience required; graduate-level studies preferred. Degrees in Social Work or related field preferred. Two years’ work experience in case management in a non-profit setting with homeless or impoverished populations preferred and/or significant life experience preferred. Proficiency in Windows operating environments, Microsoft Office required. Experience with electronic record-keeping HMIS preferred. Familiarity with the Chicago Continuum of Care, All Chicago, HUD and municipal and state housing laws preferred.

Ability to work independently and think critically required. Active listening and the ability to communicate professionally both verbally and in writing.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Requirements for Case Manager II Position:

• Mobility: The ability to move freely within a variety of environments, including walking, standing, and sitting for extensive periods.
• Lifting: Capable of lifting and carrying files, documents, and office supplies, typically weighing up to 50-70 pounds.
• Dexterity: Proficient in using office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, and fax machines. This includes fine motor skills for typing, writing, and handling paperwork.
• Visual Acuity: Clear vision to read printed and electronic documents, as well as to view information on computer screens for extended periods.
• Hearing: Ability to hear and understand verbal communication both in person and over the phone.
• Communication: Effective verbal and written communication skills are essential for interacting with clients, colleagues, and other stakeholders.
• Sensory Requirements: Capacity to perceive and respond to environmental factors such as temperature, lighting, and noise levels in an office setting.
• Sitting for Extensive Periods: Much of the work as a Case Manager II involves desk work, requiring the ability to sit for long durations while focusing on tasks.
• Travel: Depending on the specific job responsibilities, occasional travel may be required to meet with clients or attend meetings, necessitating the ability to sit for extensive periods in vehicles or airplanes.
• Adaptability: Ability to adapt to changing work environments and demands, including the capacity to work in various office settings and under different ergonomic conditions.
• Stress Management: Capability to manage the physical effects of stress that may arise from high caseloads, deadlines, or challenging client situations

Bending Physical Demand Description for Case Manager II:

• Frequency: The role of a Case Manager II may involve occasional bending throughout the workday. This could include retrieving files from lower shelves, accessing equipment under desks, or assisting clients with mobility needs.
• Range of Motion: The ability to bend at the waist and knees to reach objects at low levels, as well as to stoop or crouch when necessary to pick up items from the floor or access lower storage areas.
• Duration: Bending activities typically occur intermittently rather than continuously, with durations ranging from a few seconds to several minutes at a time.
• Weight Handling: Bending may involve lifting or manipulating objects of varying weights while maintaining proper posture to prevent strain or injury. Case Managers should be able to bend safely while lifting items such as files, boxes, or equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Safety Awareness: Awareness of proper bending techniques to avoid strain or injury to the back and knees is essential. This includes bending at the knees rather than the waist when lifting heavy objects and using ergonomic principles to maintain neutral spinal alignment.
• Adaptability: The ability to adapt bending movements to accommodate different work environments and tasks is important. This may include bending from standing, sitting, or kneeling positions as needed to perform job duties effectively.
• Mobility Considerations: Case Managers should be physically capable of bending without difficulty or discomfort, taking into account any mobility limitations or health concerns that may affect their ability to perform bending tasks safely.

Climbing Physical Demand Description for Case Manager II: This may include ascending or descending stairs, step stools, or ladders to access elevated areas or retrieve items from overhead storage.

Height Considerations: Climbing tasks typically involve ascending or descending no more than one flight of stairs or utilizing step stools or small ladders to reach heights of up to 6-8 feet.

Safety Equipment: When climbing ladders or elevated surfaces, adherence to safety protocols and the use of appropriate equipment, such as handrails or personal protective equipment, is essential.

Physical Capacity: Capability to climb stairs or ladders without difficulty or discomfort, considering any mobility limitations or health concerns that may impact climbing ability.

Balance and Coordination: Maintaining balance and coordination while climbing to prevent falls or accidents is crucial.

Adaptability:

The ability to adapt walking and climbing movements to accommodate different work environments and tasks is important.

This may include navigating stairs or uneven surfaces, as well as adjusting climbing techniques based on the specific structure or height of the climbing apparatus.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and talk or listen for an extensive time. The employee is required to walk long extensive durations. The employee is required to stand, walk up and down steps extensively and drive throughout the city of Chicago. The employee Must be Physically Fit to perform essential functions. The employee must lift and/or move up to 50-70 pounds. Must be approved to drive agency vehicles. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. All employees must take a Fit for duty and/or HPE exam.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The working environment may include shared offices, in-person visits to participants’ homes, accompanying participants to referrals or partner agencies. The housing program is located at Ambassador for Children Families’ main office.

Maintains standard office hours. Attends evening, weekend, and early morning meetings and functions as required. Overtime required when necessary.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $40,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• On call