Housing First Case Manager

Mission: The Link works with youth and young families to overcome the impacts of poverty and social injustice. Our 23 programs provide supportive housing, intensive case management services, and skills development to youth at risk of or experiencing homelessness, sex trafficking and/or involvement in the juvenile justice system. The Link prides itself on its innovative, youth-centered, strengths-based programming for youth and families as well as programs that are co-designed, implemented and overseen by youth.

Position Specifics

• Hiring Salary Range: $23.13-$26.00/hour based on qualifications 
• Job Type: Full-Time, Non-Exempt
• Location: Minneapolis, MN
• Hours/Days: Mon-Friday 9:00-5:00
• Note: This position requires driving. To be able to drive on behalf of The Link, candidates must have a valid driver's license, have a safe and reliable vehicle, be able to successfully clear a criminal and motor vehicle background check, and maintain personal insurance at the levels of $100,000 Bodily Injury/Per Person and $300,000 Bodily Injury/Per Accident. Job offer is contingent on having these requirements. 

BASIC FUNCTION

The Housing First Case Manager will provide supportive housing case management services to young people (18-24), who are long-term homeless and who have a disability. Case managers provide a variety of assessments and evaluations and work with the residents to develop Individual Service Plans and strategies for ensuring housing stability and progress toward goals, for which the Case Manager will monitor and provide resources, referrals, advocacy, and independent living skills instruction. The Case Manager will assist with the management and operation of rental properties for youth with disabilities and high barriers.

Participants have been living on the streets for many years and suffer from mental illness, histories of substance abuse, major medical conditions, and have limited experience with independent living. The Housing First team takes a harm-reduction approach to helping young people find ways to successfully live in housing and not let their disabilities result in recurrent homelessness.  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Case Management and Youth Advocacy

• Provide case management services to clients in the Housing First program with a focus on housing stability
• Support young families in identifying supports necessary for their children’s health, wellness, and education
• Conduct assessments with client to determine barriers, resource needs and other factors related to case planning, acting as a broker for services and referring them to community resources when necessary.
• Support residents in setting and pursuing goals.
• Act as liaison between client/landlord relationships.
• Assist clients in living independently. 
• Act as a liaison with other service providers.
• Maintain consistent home visits with clients.
• Provide necessary transportation for clients according to availability.

Property Management Responsibilities

• Act as a liaison between tenants, property landlord, and property owners
• Assist with managing, and operating Housing First rental properties for youth with disabilities and high barriers 
• Assist with ensuring Housing First rental properties are in compliance with funding requirements and manage the various administrative, bookkeeping, accounting, bill pay, and other financial components to the program when needed

Administrative Responsibilities

• Keep updated records of all interactions with clients and any other contacts made on their behalf.
• Report to supervisors and probation officers in regard to residents’ progress.
• Provide on-going monitoring and reporting of residents’ progress. 
• Maintain and supporting clients in their subsidy allocation.
• Maintain and supporting clients in all benefits paperwork and documentation, ensuring timely and accurate completion of all paperwork.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Preserve the integrity of the programs and agency
• Demonstrate commitment to The Link’s mission and vision, and values of equity, diversity and inclusion
• Support the overall growth of the agency
• Maintain positive and healthy relationship with co-workers and other related parties
• Assist where needed as a team player
• Create a safe, respectful, and healthy atmosphere and environment where everyone can grow and learn
• Participate in special projects as necessary
• Attend all meetings and trainings as required
• Maintain positive and professional interactions with clients, co-workers, and all parties involved
• All other duties as assigned 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Access to reliable transportation and the ability to drive participants
• Ability to successfully pass background screening (criminal, motor vehicle and Department of Human Services)
• Knowledge of systems navigation within Hennepin County
• Strong financial management skills
• Knowledge of Housing First or Harm Reduction intervention strategies
• High level of attention to detail
• Desire to continuously learn for personal and professional growth
• High level of personal and professional integrity, including ability to protect and maintain confidentiality
• Ability to work effectively with and relate to diverse populations
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, especially for client advocacy
• Ability to work independently
• Demonstrated ability to efficiently organize, coordinate, track and complete multiple tasks as well as adjust to changing priorities
• Computer application proficiency, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that will include some evening hours
• Access to reliable vehicle and ability to maintain good driving record and insurance levels as directed by The Link, to fulfill job duties that require travel into the community 
• Consistent, regular attendance is a must

QUALIFICATIONS

• Four year degree in related field or 2 years’ experience working with homeless or at-risk youth or 2 years’ experience in housing.
• Experience in Housing First or scattered site housing programs preferred.
• Experience in working with clients who have been homeless and have significant mental health barriers.
• Experience in completing intake and assessments of client needs.
• Experience in creating goal/treatment plans.
• Experience assisting with the management and operation of rental properties for youth with disabilities and high barriers

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The employee is regularly required to talk or hear
• The employee is frequently required to use manual dexterity for use of objects, tools or controls as well as visual acuity
• The employee is required to stand; walk; sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl
• The employee must lift and/or move up to 20 pounds
• The employee is required to drive a personal vehicle
• Work environment for this position includes offices, common, residential homes and community spaces with a low to moderate noise level

BENEFITS

The Link offers benefits to eligible employees such as medical, dental (The Link covers 100% of the premiums), vision, a generous 401k with employer match, over 2 weeks of PTO in your first year, birthday PTO, two days of volunteer PTO, 11 paid holidays/holiday pay, and more!

COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY 

As outlined in our Compensation Philosophy . The Link believes strongly in pay equity and transparency, and wages that lead our field for similar roles.  To that end, The Link will ensure all new hires are offered the highest wage they are eligible to receive within the position's hiring range based on their years of relevant professional experience, lived experience, and relevant degrees and licensures.  The Link has a “no negotiation policy,” which means candidates should not have to negotiate their way to a fair wage for their skills and experience and will automatically be given the highest wage they are eligible for based on their qualifications. 

OTHER

The Link is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. The Link complies with laws relating to discrimination against qualified applicants and employees in hiring or in any decision affecting job status or pay, based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, marital status, disability, familial status, covered veteran status, public assistance status, membership in a local commission, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, or other applicable protected classes. 

NOTE: Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.