Housing Case Manager I at Day Center

About the position

The Housing Case Manager provides trauma-informed services to individual program participants, many of whom have multiple barriers (e.g., mental health, substance use disorder, chronic health conditions, frequent contact with law enforcement), so that secure, stable, and permanent housing may be achieved and/or maintained. Services include assessment, documentation, information and referral, goal setting, direct advocacy, cooperative case planning, and coordination of services. The Case Manager assists and empowers participants to make necessary connections with the community and providers to stabilize and improve the quality of their lives. This is a unionized position, represented by Local 8 of the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU).

About the program

Compass Day Services includes the Client Services Office (CSO), the Hygiene Center, and the Day Services Center.

• The Day Center offers comfort and stability to those in need, including refuge, meals, basic services, housing navigation support, case management, mental health counseling, and nursing services.
• The Hygiene Center offers individuals experiencing homelessness a place to use the restroom, take a hot shower, and do a load of laundry.
• The CSO provides free mail services for individuals who are housing insecure.

About the organization

Compass Housing Alliance develops and provides essential services, shelter, and affordable housing so that everyone in the community has a safe place to call home. The organization envisions a world in which every person lives in a safe and caring community. Compass offers an open, supportive, and challenging work environment committed to promoting the dignity and well-being of each person served. The agency recognizes the value that different perspectives and cultures bring and expects all employees to foster welcoming environments. As of 2026, Compass Housing Alliance is a division of Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW), combining LCSNW’s network of health and human services with Compass’s expertise in affordable housing and emergency services to provide holistic support.

Location

Pioneer Square Neighborhood (Seattle, WA)

Reports to

Program Manager

FLSA status

Non-Exempt

Schedule

Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm; bi-weekly staff meetings on Thursdays at 4 pm

Meal period

Paid (30 minutes)

Salary

$29.87 per hour (Level I)

Engagement & assessment

• Provide trauma-informed case management using motivational interviewing and strength-based techniques.
• Engage professionally and compassionately with participants in all settings and environments.
• Write clear, objective, and accurate case notes of significant interactions in participant files, including stability plans, measurement scales, leases, and all required forms and paperwork (logs, records, reports, statistics).
• Perform documentation following DAP protocol and input data in Clarity Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and other organizational data and case management systems.
• Identify barriers and steps necessary to overcome obstacles to successful program participation.
• Provide hoarding and housekeeping support and interventions.
• Assess participant histories and resource/support needs (e.g., food, health, transportation, CPS/APS engagement) and opportunities (e.g., family, friends).
• Screen individuals for program eligibility, including collaboration with referring agencies.
• Complete needs assessment, services acknowledgment, and orientation to the program.
• Assess eligibility for permanent housing resources (e.g., deposit/move-in financial assistance, rapid rehousing, affordable housing, permanent supportive housing).
• Develop a plan with the Program Manager to utilize flexible program-based participant relocation and assistance funds with an emphasis on equitability.
• Identify need for interim or bridge housing and link as requested and available.
• Establish goals and objectives; monitor achievements through regular meetings and case consultations with referral partners.
• Provide information, referrals, and direct advocacy using internal and external resources (e.g., landlords, rental assistance, Veteran programs, supportive guidance on housing selection).
• Link participants with services to address significant barriers to housing stability, such as mental health services, chemical dependency services, primary health services, legal services, Veteran support services, and employment/educational supports.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with a network of community providers and services to address and advocate for participant needs.
• Support housing stability and retention by working with property management, supervisor, and participants on successful tenancy practices and resolutions.
• Work with program management on situation assessment and follow-up; devise and implement corrective action plans for participants failing to meet goals.
• Assist management in running monthly, quarterly, and/or annual reports (e.g., HMIS).
• Mediate conflicts; provide de-escalation and crisis intervention; model appropriate problem solving.
• Refer to appropriate services as needed; provide milieu management and support to the program and operations team in daily facility operations.
• In coordination with program management, develop and facilitate life skills trainings and other relevant workshops.
• Develop and implement community programs supporting housing stability, wellness, and meaningful daily activities (e.g., groups, classes, workshops, special events).
• Attend community meetings (e.g., CEA, Veteran meetings) to represent Compass Housing Alliance in helping people obtain housing.

Leadership

• Recognize the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to the organization.
• Maintain favorable working relationships with all agency employees to foster a cooperative and harmonious climate.
• Project a favorable image of the organization to promote its aims and objectives and enhance public recognition.
• Perform all duties and responsibilities in a timely and effective manner in accordance with agency policies.
• Work as a team to remain current with available resources and share resources with other agency case managers.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Ability to remain flexible to handle daily crises.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Collaborate with property management and program staff to address lease compliance issues, mediate conflicts, and develop strategies to prevent eviction, including creative corrective action plans.
• Manage difficult interpersonal situations effectively.
• Experience and knowledge working with vulnerable populations such as Veterans, seniors, people with different abilities, families with children, and immigrant and refugee experiences.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a caseload, provide case management, crisis counseling, advocacy, and referral services to participants.
• Demonstrated knowledge of local resources and services for individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in de-escalation, crisis intervention, and stabilization skills.
• Ability to follow agency policy and procedures to maintain safety and security within the facility.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions and crisis situations.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality, tactfulness, and respect for participants from different backgrounds and identities.
• Working knowledge of evidence-based practices: harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and strength-based case management.
• Ability to enter data accurately; create log entries and case notes; prepare written reports and generate statistical reports.
• Ability to set and maintain professional boundaries.
• Promote a team environment that values, encourages, and supports differences.
• Work independently and as part of a team; exercise sound decision-making in the absence of supervision with strong collaboration skills.
• Relate openly and comfortably with people from all backgrounds while valuing different points of view.
• Model sound interpersonal boundaries and emotional intelligence.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to communicate effectively about technical problems and solutions.
• Strong problem-solving, time, and project management skills.
• Aptitude for learning new technology skills with Microsoft products and other internet-based software.
• Ability to learn new functions on office equipment and devices (printer, scanner, projector, mailing machine, copier).

Education and/or experience

• A minimum of 2 years’ experience in a social/human service setting related to housing and homelessness, required.
• Experience and education demonstrating competency with issues of housing instability, mental health, substance use, sexual assault, and/or domestic violence, preferred.
• Awareness and/or training around belonging, compassion, and meeting people where they are, preferred.
• Experience working in an environment where language may be a barrier, preferred.
• Fluent reading, writing, and understanding skills in English, required.
• Current WA State Food Handlers Permit, preferred (If not current, will be sponsored within 1 month of hire).
• Certain positions may require driving duties, including a valid WA driver’s license, proof of car insurance, and a driving record that meets Compass standards.

Physical demands

The employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to finger/handle/feel/type, and reach with hands and arms. The role occasionally requires the ability to push, pull, lift, and/or carry supplies up to 20 pounds. Work takes place in a supportive/emergency housing/social services environment where long periods of sitting and working on a computer occur, with frequent interruptions and crisis situations.