Housing Navigator-Case Manager

Hours:Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Reports to:Housing Program Manager, Clinical Program Manager

DESCRIPTION

St. Mary's Center,stmaryscenter.org, is a community of hope, healing and justice. We provide nutrition, advocacy, counseling, shelter, and social support to seniors and preschoolers in the heart of Oakland. St. Mary's Center operates 41 units of transitional housing, a senior center, and preschool and is developing permanent supportive housing as part of a comprehensive, collaborative community development strategy along the San Pablo Avenue corridor. We are proud of an excellent multidisciplinary team delivering high-quality services to people with urgent needs. Charity Navigator awarded us a 4- star rating for fiscal management and integrity for six consecutive years, and St. Mary's Center is the California Association of Nonprofits 2021 District 9 Nonprofit of the Year.

SENIOR HOMELESS SERVICES

St. Mary's Center's Senior Homeless Services provides services for low-income homeless individuals aged 55 and older, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Services encompass intensive case management, linkage to medical care including addiction services, mental health and psychiatric services, and services to find and retain affordable housing. Our foremost goal is to support each senior to find and keep housing. Social workers provide intensive case management critical to helping our housed and unhoused seniors to stabilize and improve their lives. Our staff includes licensed mental health professionals and recovery trained counselors.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Housing Program Manager, the Housing Navigator-Case Manager is responsible for intensive case management services and advocacy for unhoused seniors to find, secure and retain affordable housing and to improve wellness outcomes.

PRIMARY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Clinical Case Management (70%)

• Maintain a caseload of 25 homeless seniors and work to house each client in an affordable housing environment.

• Provide housing search, and retention services.

• Provide professional and culturally relevant support, advocacy, information and referrals to low income and at-risk seniors.

• Link clients to appropriate community social services, including medical and mental health services, financial benefits, legal services, substance use treatment services and daytime activities.

• Transport clients to appointments via SMC company or personal vehicle.

• Liaise with SMC's Senior Advocates to coordinate friendly visiting programs to support housed seniors, if applicable.

• Work within and promote an environment dedicated to harm reduction, recovery, and wellness.

Data and Documentation (10%)

• Maintain clinical records in our intranet system in accordance with mandated standards of care for St. Mary's Center and/or Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services.

• Maintain confidentiality regarding patient health information and comply with HIPAA requirements.

• Regularly review data and improve reporting functions

Team Coordination: (20%)

• Maintain effective communication with the social work team on psychosocial and psychiatric needs of clients.

• Attend trainings and team meetings

QUALIFICATIONS

• Life experience is highly valued

• High School Diploma (or equivalent). B.A/B.S. preferred.

• Minimum of 2 years' experience in the homeless/housing navigation field working with multiple co-occurring challenges of the elder populations and issues related to homelessness.

• Must be able to work collaboratively within a strong team environment and manage designated tasks independently.

• Current, valid California Driver's License.

• Clean driving record and safe driving skills.

• Basic computer literacy, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, etc.)

ST. MARY'S CENTER'S TEAM EXPECTATIONS

Along with all employees, the Housing Navigator - Case Manager is expected to:Foster an environment that promotes trust and cooperation among leadership and staff.

• Follow policies and procedures to ensure that the principles of St. Mary's Center are implemented.

• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations and in accordance with professional codes of conduct.

• Understand the mission, values, and principles of St. Mary's Center and apply them in work responsibilities.

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. In general, while performing the duties of this job, the employee is expected to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.

• Must be able to clearly communicate with others to understand them and to be understood.

• Must be able to transport seniors when needed.

• Must be able to read and compose documents so that their intent is easily understood.

• Must be able to occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

• Must be able to effectively use a computer and telephone to conduct business.

• Must be able to operate office equipment: telephones, printer, copier, scanner and fax machines

• Must be able to communicate over a telephone and take notes.

• Must be able to attend in-person or web-based meetings, sitting, listening, and taking notes.

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
St. Mary's Center is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active Equal Employment Opportunity Program (EEOP). It is the stated policy of St. Mary's Center that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment in employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age (over 40), sex, marital status, medical condition (cancer related) or physical handicap (includes all other medical condition).