Case Manager - Youth and Young Adult

Position Title: Case Manager - Youth and Young Adult 

Reports to: Assistant Director

Category: Full-Time

Location: Washington, DC NW

Hours: Flexible schedule, Monday-Friday between 8am-8pm, some evenings, holidays and weekends may be required and participates in on-call rotation.

About Us: Friendship Place is a nonprofit organization serving the Washington, D.C. region, empowering individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness to rebuild their lives through community involvement. Friendship Place offers the most effective model for addressing homelessness, with innovative, customized programs that have positive, demonstrable results and a lasting impact on the community and beyond. Our programs are person-centric and individualized to meet the needs and goals of individuals, families, youth/young adults, and Veterans experiencing homelessness. We provide outreach, hospitality, health care, case management, housing, job placement services, and advocacy. We have established a national presence and are known for sharing best practices in the field.

Our Core Values: Friendship Place is a Person-First Organization that promotes transparency and ethical practices among our team and those we serve. All individuals in our organization are expected to perform their job duties in a manner consistent with our core values. This includes the following: Excellence and Innovation; Finding Ways to Say “Yes,”; Caring at the Core; Agents of Change; Support, Empowerment and Development; Building Relationships; and Integrity and Accountability.

Summary: The Case Manager for the Before Thirty (B430) Program provides trauma-informed, youth-centered case management to transition-aged youth and young adults (ages 18–29) experiencing housing instability and related barriers. This role supports participants in achieving stability through individualized goal planning, housing navigation, employment and education support, and connections to community resources. The Case Manager also plays a key role in the Welcome Center by working scheduled Drop-In Center shifts, providing low-barrier support, crisis intervention, and resource navigation for walk-in youth and young adults. The position requires strong engagement skills, an understanding of youth development, and the ability to build trusting, culturally responsive relationships with diverse populations including LGBTQ+ youth and survivors of trauma. The Case Manager collaborates with internal teams, external partners, and community providers; participates in division-wide initiatives such as the annual PIT and HYC counts; and maintains accurate, timely documentation and data tracking. This role is essential in supporting Friendship Place’s mission to promote stability, empowerment, and long-term success among youth experiencing housing insecurity.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Case Management & Participant Support (70%)

• Provide youth-focused, trauma-informed case management to transition-aged youth (18–29), including singles and families.
• Conduct intakes, goal setting, case plans, safety plans, and ongoing assessments.
• Support participants in addressing barriers related to housing instability, mental health, employment, education, and access to benefits.
• Maintain accurate, timely documentation—including HMIS entries, case notes (submitted within 48 hours), service plans, and all required forms.
• Complete monthly reporting, dashboards, and data tracking in accordance with program and funder requirements.
• Respond to participant crises, assess safety risks, and activate appropriate emergency or mandated reporting protocols.
• Work two scheduled Drop-In Center shifts per week, providing low-barrier support, crisis response, resource navigation, and participant engagement.

Housing Navigation (15%)

• Assist participants with housing searches, applications, budgeting, and readiness tasks.
• Coordinate with leasing offices, property managers, and landlords regarding applications, inspections, W9 forms, and move-in logistics.
• Support participants in maintaining housing stability through regular follow-ups and landlord engagement.

Employment, Education & Life Skills Support (10%)

• Provide support with resumes, job searches, applications, and interview preparation.
• Connect participants to workforce partners, community resources, and training opportunities.
• Facilitate and co-lead workshops and small-group sessions focused on employment, financial literacy, wellness, and independent living skills.

Program Collaboration & Community Engagement (5%)

• Participate in CAHP Youth Outreach meetings and represent the program in community partnerships.
• Collaborate across Welcome Center programs to ensure coordinated support for participants.
• Maintain professional relationships with external providers and stakeholders.
• Participate in the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count and Homeless Youth Census (HYC), including training, field work, and accurate data collection.

LGBTQ+ Support & Cultural Responsiveness

• Engage in LGBTQ+-affirming practices and participate in relevant trainings.
• Serve as a member of the LGBTQ+ Workgroup when applicable.

Essential Position Requirements and Competencies

• Maintain participant safety by assessing risk, following safety protocols, and activating emergency or mandated reporting procedures when required.
• Attend and actively participate in staff meetings, case conferences, supervisions, and all required trainings.
• Maintain calendar transparency for field-based work and adhere to all communication and documentation protocols.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to support coordinated services and high-quality participant care.
• Represent Friendship Place in a professional manner during community events, meetings, outreach activities, PIT/HYC counts, and partner engagements.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support program and organizational needs.

Education/Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Bachelor's degree in human services or social work field (preferred)
• 2 years experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, and/or vulnerable populations
• 1 year experience working with youth and young adult population

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent time management, detail-oriented, organized, capable of maintaining confidentiality, and able to work independently with minimal supervision
• Experience with adult rehabilitation, mental health, addiction, and co-occurring disorders
• Experience working with families, youth, and school systems in culturally diverse environments with empathy and integrity.
• Must possess and be able to demonstrate strong intra- and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to effectively express ideas, needs, and observations both verbally and in writing. This includes the ability to communicate clearly and respectfully with clients, colleagues, and supervisors, as well as to document interactions and incidents accurately, professionally, and in a timely manner.
• Must be able to demonstrate active listening, emotional awareness, and the ability to adapt their communication style to different individuals and situations.
• Ability to work well under pressure and as part of a diverse team
• Able to demonstrate professionalism across all levels of the organization at work and any organization-sponsored event.
• Strong commitment to the organization’s mission, vision, and values.
• Proficiency in Office 365 system, specifically Word and Excel
• Must have or be able to obtain a First Aid/CPR/AED certification that includes a hands-on skills testing module. Friendship Place will provide First Aid/CPR/AED training.
• Valid driver’s license and current auto insurance.
• Knowledge of youth development, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and crisis intervention.
• Experience supporting housing navigation, employment readiness, or resource coordination.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations, including LGBTQ+ youth and survivors of trauma, DV, or trafficking.
• Strong engagement skills and the ability to build trusting, professional relationships with youth.
• Ability to respond calmly and appropriately in crisis situations, including de-escalation and safety assessment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including timely documentation and case note completion.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; experience with HMIS or similar databases preferred.
• Ability to work independently, manage a caseload, and adapt in a fast-paced, low-barrier environment.

Working conditions: The position includes a combination of office-based work, field-based visits with participants and providers, and scheduled shifts in the Drop-In Center. Staff will also attend meetings, workshops, and community engagements as required. Travel within the DC Metro Area may be required for up to 25% of work time.

Physical and Environmental Requirements: The position requires the ability to work in both office and community settings, including low-barrier environments such as the Drop-In Center. Staff must be able to sit or stand for extended periods, travel via car or public transportation, and occasionally lift up to 20–25 lbs. The role involves direct engagement with walk-in youth and young adults, crisis situations, and dynamic service environments.

Background Checks: The selected candidate will be required to pass a criminal history background check, CFSA, NSO, Employment and Education Verification, personal and professional references, TB test, a UDS, and clearance from the Department of Motor Vehicles. 

Direct & Indirect Reports: None

Specific Requirements: Positions requiring travel must have reliable access to personal transportation to fulfill job duties. The vehicle must meet all legal requirements, including valid registration and current auto insurance. Employees must provide the employer with current copies of their valid driver’s license and proof of insurance as a condition of employment. Additionally, employees are required to notify the employer and provide updated documentation within a legally appropriate timeframe if there are any changes to their driver’s license status or insurance coverage.

Other Details:

Application Deadline: This job is open until filled or until the hiring manager determines they can no longer accept applications.

Compensation: The hiring pay range is between $27.94 - $30.53. The starting hourly rate is based on a step system. A candidate’s starting pay determination is based on meeting the basic position requirements and current completed education, credentials, and work experience. 

Benefits: We offer an excellent benefits package including low-cost health insurance, health reimbursement, flexible spending accounts, employer-paid dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, 403B defined contribution plan matching, employee assistance programs, professional development, employee resource groups, paid holidays, vacation and sick leave during 1st year of employment, and much more!

Location: Washington, DC

Interview Process: Phone screening, panel style interview, final interview.

Website: www.friendshipplace.org

Diversity, Equal Opportunity, and Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Friendship Place is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our team and want to involve all those who can contribute to our inclusive culture. We support all qualified individuals within our workforce without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, personal appearance, familial status, family responsibilities, political affiliations, matriculation, credit, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Friend Place is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact human resources at [email protected] 

How to Apply: Interested applicants should apply via the organizational website. All of our current career openings can be found by visiting www.friendshipplace.org