Case Manager

The Housing Support Services (HSS) Case Manager assists individuals/families in achieving and maintaining housing, while promoting awareness and teaching strategies that reduce the likelihood of a return to homelessness.   The HSS Case Manager will provide home-based, individualized supports to help clients overcome barriers to housing, public benefits, stable income, education, healthcare, children’s issues and other issues that could impede their ability to maintain stable housing.

Essential Functions:

1. Serve as case manager for clients in Goodwill Northern Michigan Housing Support Services program.

2. Work with client and landlord/property manager to ensure client remains housed.

Primary Responsibilities:

1. Support the mission and vision of Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan.

2. Perform work in a safe manner by observing all Goodwill safety policies and procedures.

3. Interact with all Goodwill team members, clients, and customers in a professional manner.

4. Respect the diversity of others, including but not limited to, those with cultural, ethnic, and gender differences, individuals experiencing homelessness, and persons with visible and non-visible disabilities.

5. Serve as a case manager for single individuals and families who are enrolled in Goodwill’s HSS program.

6. Maintains appropriate, accurate, and timely case documentation across several domains, including HMIS assessments, case plans, case notes.

7. Inform and empower each client to achieve goals and objectives.

8. Teach or enhance client’s life skills to promote client’s maintaining independent housing and lives.

9. Assist in completing paperwork for public assistance, job applications, housing recertifications, etc.

10. Provide strengths based, client-centered housing focused case management to individuals and families exiting homelessness and entering permanent supportive housing.  The housing-based case manager will adhere to a housing first model of housing and housing-based case management.

11. Participate in planning and/or leading family strengthening, social, educational and community integration activities for HSS clients/tenants.

12. Assist tenant with creating goals and setting up a network of resources to maintain housing stability.

13. Provide transportation assistance to clients/tenants/guests as needed.

14. Travel to clients’ homes to provide supports/services.

15. Respect privacy and confidentiality in accord with all relevant legislation.

16. Act as a liaison between clients/tenants/guests served and landlords/property management companies to coordinate eviction prevention efforts and provide advocacy as needed.

17. May be required to drive company vehicle for purposes of:

• transporting clients to various appointments, such as medical visits, job interviews, or social service agencies.
• running errands on behalf of clients or the organization.
• traveling to different neighborhoods or communities to provide information about available services, conduct workshops, or engage with community members.
• transporting supplies, equipment, or materials between different locations, such as offices, shelters, or community centers.

18. Must adhere to all driving policies and regulations, including maintaining a valid driver's license, following safety protocols, and keeping accurate records of mileage and expenses.

19. Strengthen professional relationship and increase collaboration with landlords/property managers and community agencies.

20. Assist with planning and development of programs/Create and implement program forms.

21. Attend Goodwill Housing Department staff meetings and other related housing meetings and trainings.

22. Keep informed of HSS and the Goodwill Inn program rules.

23. Adhere to all Goodwill Housing Support Services and Goodwill Inn policies and procedures.

24. Other duties as assigned by manager.

Education, Licenses, Certifications and Experience: 

• High School Diploma or GED required, some college in human services field preferred.
• Licensed Social Worker preferred.
• Valid driver’s license, clean safe driving record, and be insurable on company policy with a Chauffeur’s license, or willingness to obtain a Chauffeur’s license within 30 days of hire.
• Previous experience in counseling, human services, housing, and/or substance abuse preferred.
• CPR/First Aid certification.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Familiarity with local housing services and other community resources and agencies.

2. Flexibility, creativity, motivation, and problem-solving skills in serving the client/tenant/guest populations and ability to train/teach others.

3. Solid teamwork skills.

4. Strong verbal/non-verbal and written skills and ability to complete accurate, professional documentation of client/tenant/guest contacts using a computer.

5. Excellent empathic listening skills.

6. Ability to establish a trusting relationship with clients/guests of varying economic, cultural and functional levels.

7. Strong interpersonal/problem solving skills to promote engagement of clients/tenants/guests served.

8. Must possess a positive and enthusiastic attitude and strong commitment toward helping those in need.

9. Ability to effectively de-escalate and learn from conflict through effective de-briefing.

10. Ability to effectively work with diverse populations in a non-judgmental way.

11. Ability to effectively balance and prioritize multiple/competing client needs and other responsibilities. 

12. Computer experience and expertise, including familiarity with Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Office, Excel.

13. Good organizational skills.

14. Timeliness and punctuality.

15. Ability to follow instructions.

16. Ability to effectively work independently.

17. Previous case management experience.

18. Knowledge of and sensitivity to persons with disabilities or who are disadvantaged.

19. Previous experience working with the homeless population or precariously housed is preferred.

20. Open and accepting philosophy relative to homelessness.

Physical Requirements:

1. Routinely sits, stands, bends, walks, and climbs stairs, throughout the work day

2. May be required to lift up to 20 pounds

3. This position is considered a Safety Sensitive position and is subject to zero tolerance under the Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan Drug Free Workplace Policy.