EDH Shelter Specialist Case Manager

About the role

The EDH Shelter Specialist Case Manager is a DESC HOST employee responsible for providing engagement, resource linkage, housing navigation, and intensive case management services to individuals residing at the Bayside Shelter managed by Everyone Deserves Housing (EDH).

Responsibilities

• Provide engagement and case management services onsite at the EDH shelter and, as needed, in community settings including shelters, encampments, healthcare settings, and public spaces.
• Build relationships with shelter clients and provide ongoing outreach, engagement, and support focused on housing stability, behavioral health needs, and connection to community resources.
• Participate in case conferencing with EDH employees and screen clients for HOST eligibility when appropriate and facilitate referrals to HOST or other internal and external programs based on client needs.
• Maintain cooperative relationships with EDH leadership and staff to ensure effective coordination of services and continuity of care.
• Participate in EDH operational meetings, shift briefs, case consultations, and other collaborative meetings as appropriate.
• Participate in community education regarding the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness, mental illness, and co-occurring disorders, including effective engagement and service delivery practices.
• Provide survival resources, hygiene products, harm reduction supplies, and resource referrals as appropriate to meet basic needs and build rapport.
• Collaborate with EDH staff regarding client needs, shelter access, housing opportunities, and service coordination.
• Support clients in obtaining and maintaining permanent housing through housing assessments, housing applications, housing navigation, and coordination with housing providers.
• Complete vulnerability assessments and other required housing documentation, including VAT assessments and Coordinated Entry-related activities as assigned.
• Advocate for clients' access to community resources and services while ensuring client rights are maintained.
• Consult and collaborate with community providers to ensure continuity of care.
• Prioritize crisis intervention as needed, including de-escalation, outreach to emergency departments, coordination with crisis responders, and referrals to behavioral health services.
• Provide information, education, and services designed to increase financial stability, self-sufficiency, and long-term housing success.
• Develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with DESC staff, EDH staff, and community partners.
• Participate in weekly supervision, HOST Team Meetings, clinical reviews, case conferences, and required trainings.
• Maintain timely, accurate, and complete documentation in accordance with DESC policies and contract requirements.
• Comply with agency clinical accountability policies, quality assurance procedures, and program evaluation requirements.
• Support contract reporting requirements and data collection activities as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Relevant bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or related behavioral science, OR a combination of 1 year of relevant paid work experience and demonstration of the ability to perform required job duties.
• Ability to meet Washington Department of Health requirements for registration as a Registered Agency Affiliated Counselor (AAC) or any other superseding credential.
• Interest in working with clients who are difficult to engage and maintain in traditional mental health/substance use disorder programs.
• Knowledge of Recovery-focused, strengths-based work in mental health.
• Knowledge of Harm Reduction strategies.
• Ability to work effectively with clients displaying a wide range of unpleasant and/or bizarre behaviors.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with staff from various backgrounds.
• Subscribe to the philosophy of cooperation and continuity across programs and of consideration and respect for clients.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in social work, psychology or other relevant behavioral science or Bachelor of Nursing degree with specialty in mental health.
• Eligible for a Licensed AAC credential or any other superseding credential that meets RCW 71.05.020 requirements to act as a Mental Health Professional whose scope of practice includes independently conducting mental health assessments and making mental health diagnoses.
• Ability to drive an agency or personal vehicle to conduct agency related business, including a current Washington State driver's license and insurable driving record.
• Experience working with adults who are experiencing or who have experienced homelessness, have a mental illness and/or co-occurring substance use disorders.
• Knowledge of de-escalation skills, crisis intervention & stabilization.
• Bi-cultural background/experience.
• Bi-lingual English/Spanish.
• Experience working with adults who are homeless, have a mental illness and/or co-occurring substance abuse disorders.
• Strong knowledge of relevant community resources and methods for accessing them.

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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to sit, communicate with other employees, required to lift and carry items weighing up to 40 pounds and to operate computer hardware systems. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Equal Opportunity Employer

DESC is committed to diversity in the workplace and promotes equal employment opportunities for all staff members and applicants. The Agency will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, caste, marital status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability in any employment practice, unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification. Minorities and veterans are encouraged to apply.

Schedule

Shift: Day (9:00am - 5:00pm)

Benefits

• Insurance Benefits: Dental, Life, Long-term Disability, Medical (no premiums/payroll deductions for employee coverage)
• Other Benefits: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), ORCA card subsidy, Paid Time Off (34 days per year), Retirement Plan