Housing Case Manager (PHSS)

We have Day, Swing, Evening and Weekend shifts available.

Job Summary:

The PHSS (Permanent Housing Support Services) Housing Case Manager will assume a caseload of clients who are currently receiving housing assistance from KCRHA.  The Housing Case Manager will work alongside agency to assist and provide supportive services to help ensure the clients remain stable within their new housing placements while addressing any issues or potential issues that could jeopardize their housing placement.  They will perform the duties associated with case management services including but limited to engagement and rapport building, goal setting focusing in on housing stability, financial stability, and overall health stability as well as client personal goals of growth and wellbeing. 

The Housing Case Manager must have acceptance and experience in support, assisting and interacting with clients who present with varying degrees of independence, mental stability and/or are in current active substance use utilizing the framework of harm reduction and/or Housing First milieus for low barrier access to housing and services.

The Housing Case Manger will work alongside of the client in locating, referring, and supporting them in acquiring needed additional resources such as household items and personal needs, re-connection to or additional health resources, financial and employment resources; with the desired outcome of increasing the client overall positive health outcomes and personal self -sufficiency.     

Essential Duties:

• Builds rapport with their clients to identify their strengths and to foster growth in self-sufficiency and resiliency needed to acquire the most stable housing possible. 
• Have a working knowledge and understanding of the impact of the current housing crisis in this region, and its significance on the client’s overall health and well-being.  Along with working knowledge or training related to the Landlord /Tenant Laws of the City of Seattle/King County.
• Supports and assists client as needed with current housing placement opportunity; providing experience assisting clients from diverse backgrounds, with disabilities, and possible housing barriers on matters related to the process and needed paperwork completion of applying, procuring a housing placement.
• Provide ongoing support and assistance as needed for newly housed, formally chronically homeless clients in transition from housing instability to housing stabilization of the current placement.    
• Provides needed advocacy and support with housing integration and retention issues that may arise; addressing ongoing issues that have the potential to hinder the client’s overall health and well-being and /or housing stabilization.  This could include case consultations, property and care team conferences, client behavioral agreements and potentially navigating as successfully a housing exit as possible. 
• Providing advocacy as needed for client with property management; to ensure a successful housing placement as well as responding property complaints, enquiries, and questions.
• Provides resource connections, as needed, for health, mental health care and treatment, and substance use, as well as other supportive service needs.
• Ensure the highest quality service delivery in a culturally appropriate manner by maintaining quality and customer service standards and expectations.
• Collects needed documentation for program compliance and to measure health outcomes as well as housing outcomes, maintaining client information secure and confidential.
• Participates in individual supervision, team meetings, and departmental activities. 
• Participates in Agency meetings, required agency activities as well as willingness to promote the overall mission of the agency through support and/or participation in Agency initiatives and priorities committees.
• Other Duties as assigned.

Core Competencies:

• Working understanding of Harm Reduction and Housing First principles within a Trauma Informed framework. 
• Able to organize, prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines in a time-sensitive environment.
• Detail oriented with a high level of accuracy. 
• Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability.
• Possess an understanding of professional boundaries.
• Demonstrated skills and working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite of applications, including Excel, Access, and Word.
• Experience working in electronic case noting within a database and electronic document collection and storage.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally in both verbal and written form.
• Professional phone skills
• Proven ability to work independently and in a collaborative team environment.
• Ability to respond quickly to change.
• Ability to develop good working relationships with internal and external providers and partner agencies.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively under stressful conditions, exercising crisis management and de-escalation skills.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in a social services field or equivalent experience preferred.
• Two years of experience in direct social service or advocacy work, including assessing client needs and/or determining client benefit eligibility.
• Two years of proven experience and an understanding of the difficulties that come from working with marginalized populations that brings their experience that can include chronic homelessness, past or current substance use/abuse and ongoing mental health instability.

Work Environment:

• Standard office environment based out of Seattle’s Capitol Hill area. This position is primarily located in a leased apartment building with some participants being served in scattered sites throughout the King County Region. All PHSS Case Manager positions require staff to be available to meet clients in the office setting or within their homes (as required by specific programs) and fieldwork. 
• All staff are currently required to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination prior to hiring. The use of personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to COVID-19 may be required in the future should exposure warrant it.

About Lifelong:

Lifelong is a community health organization committed to removing barriers to health with relentless compassion so that no one faces illness and injustice alone.

We lead with heart. Our respect for people drives our mission. For 40 years, Lifelong has fought health inequities so that everyone can have the opportunity to thrive. Our comprehensive services include food and nutrition, healthcare navigation, aging and disability support, and connection to housing and other vital resources.

We are looking for passionate, dedicated people to join our talented team and make real, meaningful changes in the daily lives of those living with chronic and life-threatening illnesses in their community. Lifelong offers exceptional benefits, including paid time off, medical and dental coverage in addition to a balanced work-life integration.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Lifelong, we are dedicated to building a diverse, equitable, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

EEO Statement:

Lifelong is committed to creating an accessible, supportive environment and experience that recognizes diversity and cultural competence as integral components of what we do.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and as such, we do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.