MVP & PASS Case Manager

Job Title: Temporary MVP & PASS Case Manager

Supervisor: Program Director

Hours: up to35 hours per week

Pay: $28.00/hour

FLSA: Non-Exempt

-> Status: Temporary Position - Leave Coverage (Estimated 3-6 Months)

This is a temporary position to support coverage during a leave of absence. The assignment is expected to last up to 6 months. Extension may be possible depending on departmental needs.

Location: Somerville, MA

TO APPLY:

The review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled, with the ideal candidate beginning as soon as possible. For best consideration, please submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected]

Overview:

The Community Action Agency of Somerville , known as CAAS , is changing lives for our community members who are furthest from opportunity. For over 40 years, we have been helping local families and individuals achieve financial security while working to eliminate the root causes of economic injustice. Our vision for Somerville is for a city where no one lives in poverty, where we support each other through strong community structures, and where the opportunity to thrive is a lived experience for every resident. We are proud to be a source of stability and support for our community. Our website:

Position Summary:

The Community Action Agency of Somerville is recruiting for a Temporary Case Manager to work as part of the Housing Advocacy Program. CAAS' Housing Advocacy Program (HAP) provides a wide range of services to low-income individuals at risk of homelessness, including preventing evictions through advocacy with landlords and in district court and maximizing income by improving access to public benefits.

The Somerville Municipal Voucher Program (MVP) provides rental subsidies to families with children enrolled in Somerville Public Schools who were previously severely rent-burdened and facing the chronic threat of displacement.

The Prevention and Stabilization Services (PASS) Program supports Somerville residents at risk of homelessness and assists those who are already homeless in securing long-term housing. PASS works with participants to build self-sufficiency, with the goal of achieving financial stability sufficient to remain housed after the PASS subsidy ends, for a maximum duration of two years.

GENERAL DUTIES:

• Conduct client intake upon case assignment and confirm program eligibility
• Maintain a caseload of 30- 35 households
• Provide individualized, direct housing search assistance to participants with vouchers to help find Somerville apartment in accordance with housing voucher requirements
• Facilitate the lease up process between agency, program participant and landlord
• Secure funding for start up assistance and other relocation expenses
• Develop Housing Stability Plans that start by naming barriers to stable housing then action steps to achieve stabilization goals
• Monitor progress of action steps by holding monthly case management meetings
• Empower clients to prioritize tasks that will address their barriers
• Refer and assist with access to mainstream resources and benefits to address unmet needs (including public benefits, healthcare, health insurance, mental health supports, legal services, employment/education services, childcare, budgeting resources, credit counseling, etc.)
• Complete the annual recertification process, including income certification with the Somerville Housing Division for PASS participants
• Ensure accurate date reporting in CAAS database, CAP60 as well as maintain the client file per standards
• Work collaboratively with other community providers in the best interest of the client

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

• Able to create a client-focused relationship with clients
• Knowledgeable of the negative impacts of housing instability and able to identify attainable goals for low-income households that would lead to stable housing
• Experience using Motivational Interviewing with clients to create goals
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work among a diverse team, giving and receiving feedback from peers
• Experience doing Housing Search and Stabilization a plus; working in direct services and crisis intervention required; familiarity with a wide array of supports and opportunities available to low income families, and familiarity with trauma-based approaches preferred.
• Ability to foster positive working relationships with community agencies for the best interest of the client
• Ability to communicate in a second language (specifically Spanish) required
• 1-3 years of case management experience in human services required

LOCATION AND TRAVEL:

Will work from the CAAS administrative office in Union Square, Somerville. The hybrid work schedule is Monday through Thursday in the office, with remote work on Fridays. Work hours are 9-4p. Ability to travel to in-person local meetings and events within the metropolitan area is required.

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 is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT:

No person shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise be discriminated against by this program, including in employment, because of race, religion, sex, national origin, immigration status, cultural heritage, age, disability, sexual orientation, or marital status.

Pay: $28.00 per hour

Experience:

• direct services and crisis intervention: 2 years (Required)
• direct housing search assistance : 2 years (Required)
• Section 8: 2 years (Required)

Language:

• Spanish (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Somerville, MA 02143