Shelter Case Manager (Full-Time)

Covenant House California (CHC) is a nonprofit organization that provides sanctuary and support for youth overcoming homelessness, ages 18-24. CHC believes that no young person deserves to be homeless; that every young person in California deserves housing, food, clothing, education, and most importantly, to be loved. CHC provides a full continuum of services to meet the physical, emotional, educational, vocational, and spiritual well-being of young people.

CHC’s doors are open to youth and staff regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. We believe that youth and team members deserve to be in an environment that is inclusive and affirming; where everyone is treated with dignity and respect and valued and appreciated for who they are. Maintaining a diverse community of youth and staff is key to our ability to achieve our mission most effectively. We are also committed to being a leader in advancing anti-racism, and to promoting opportunities for the free expression of the lived experiences of our youth and staff.

We are looking for people who, like us, believe that every young person deserves a place to belong. We think it takes all kinds of people to create diverse solutions to end youth homelessness and we are on a committed journey to build an inclusive and equitable work culture that brings out the best in everyone. In our Oakland location, which has been operating since 2005, we offer a full continuum of housing and support services to young people. Our program is continuing to grow and will be adding 20 new beds for young people over the next year.

As this position provides direct care to young people that are 18-24 years old, we require that applicants are at least 25 years old.

Covenant House California offers an excellent benefits package, (most benefits effective date of hire), including medical, vision, dental, an EAP program, 403b retirement account, and a generous vacation package.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Case Manager is responsible for working with youth to meet their housing, medical, mental health, employment and educational goals as they move towards becoming housed and having permanent connections. Essential functions of the position include intake and assessment, case planning, documentation, and basic individual and group counseling. The position is also responsible for providing these services within the framework of the Mission Statement, Five Principles, and the Policies and Procedures of Covenant House California.

Classification: Full-time non exempt, 40 hours per week

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1) Engage youth in developing their Individual Service Plan.

2) Create an ISP for each youth that addresses areas all their critical needs, through a trauma-informed and positive-youth-development model.

3) Partner with the youth to create a clear structure of addressing their needs, complete with due dates, calendars, structure, guidance, and support.

4) The case manager links clients to needed services, including making referrals, and as needed, facilitating the youth’s accessing of those services.

5) Monitor client progress and aide youth in meeting their identified goals, and coaching youth to plan, implement, and follow-through.

6) Motivate clients to improve wellness along health, mental health, substance use/abuse/dependence, and other areas that will improve their overall functioning.

7) Coordinate between other departments (clinical services, outreach, residential) and work as a team to meet client needs.

8) Utilize innovative approaches to engaging youth in case management: such as conducting case management outside the building, on walks, in parks, and/or planning learning outing visits to the bank, grocery store, job-site, etc.

9) Partner with the youth to find full-time employment. This work involves resume building, cover letter writing, job applications, interview preparedness, professionalism, etc.

10) Partner with youth to identify and meet their educational goals, but not in lieu of employment which is the fastest track to self-sufficiency and to becoming housed.

11) For youth who have developmental, mental health, health, or social challenges, work with the youth to modify their case plan according, while at the same time balancing the responsibility to the youth to move them towards progress and becoming independent.

12) Provide unconditional positive regard to clients regardless of behavior, race, class, culture, country of origin, disability, gender, gay, lesbian, trans, bi, language capacity, and ability to complete case plan requirements.

13) Collaborate closely with team members to ensure that activities are focused on and in sync with the needs of youth.

14) Maintain statistics and complete reports as needed.

15) Attend weekly supervision with supervisor and all weekly meetings as assigned.

16) All other duties as assigned

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Sociology, Social Work or a related field preferred, but will consider additional relevant experience.

EXPERIENCE: 2-3 years of professional experience working with at-risk/homeless youth, homeless services, child welfare or serving other at-risk groups.

SKILLS: Prior Case Management Experience and an ability to build positive rapport with youth. Knowledge of the full range of public and social services in Alameda County and the Greater Bay Area for low-income, homeless, and foster youth. Excellent communication skills, as demonstrated by on-point, timely, and professional correspondence, both written and verbal inter-agency coordination skills (scheduling appointments, and maintaining collaboration with multiple stakeholders and providers). Communication with and about youth must reflect a “strength based” and “trauma informed” approach. MUST be bilingual - English/Spanish.

Transportation/Driving Requirements:
Employees in this position must possess and maintain a valid California Driver’s License and an acceptable driving record. Driving is an essential function of this role and includes transporting clients in company vehicles, such as 8–12-passenger vans.

As a condition of employment, employees assigned driving responsibilities must provide proof of a valid driver’s license and a satisfactory Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) driving record.

If an employee is required to use a personal vehicle for work-related travel, including attending off-site meetings or appointments with clients or staff, the employee must maintain and provide proof of valid automobile insurance in accordance with applicable law and company policy.

WORKING CONDITIONS: General business/office environment. Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs. on occasion, bend, sit and stand for prolonged periods of time. Some weekend/holiday work may be required.

EQUIPMENT USED: Must be able to utilize basic word processing, email, and internet programs. Be able to communicate effectively orally and in written form. Computers, calculators, fax machines, telephone and other equipment required.

We Are an Equal Opportunity Employer

Covenant House California (CHC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. CHC is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at CHC are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, family or parental status, disability status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. CHC will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics and encourages all qualified applicants to apply.

Covenant House California is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are applicants or employees who need accommodations. If you require accommodation due to a disability to complete this application OR to participate in other aspects of the hiring process for which you have received an invitation, please reach out to our HR team. Contact us at 1-323-461-3131, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Pacific Time or email us at HR@covca.org.

If you are experiencing issues submitting your application and accompanying materials, please email HR@covca.org.