Type: Fulltime / Nonexempt

Department: Multi Service Center and Men’s Shelter Supervisor: MSC Manager/MHP Manager

Introduction

Berkeley Food and Housing Project (BFHP) has a clearly stated mission and purpose: to ease and end the crisis of homelessness in our community. Every program supports this mission and everyone who works for or on behalf of BFHP understands and is loyal to this mission and purpose. The Agency’s mission is responsive to the constituency and communities served by it.

Position Summary

BFHP has several Housing Case Management positions open in its Multi Service Center (Drop In Center) and Men’s Shelter sites. The open positions provide housing case management to homeless and recently housed individuals and families. The work includes assisting clients to overcome barriers to housing, assistance with locating housing, performing inspections, negotiating leases, assisting with move-ins, and providing landlord tenant mediation. It also includesregular home visits to households of formerly homeless people to provide intensive case management services to maintain people in housing.

General Requirements

Work within the framework of BFHP’s Code of Conduct. Must have clean DMV record, a valid driver’s license, fingerprint clearance, TB test clearance, CPR and First Aid Certification. Successfully complete all Privacy and Security Training required by BFHP and maintain confidentiality regarding clients, personnel and other internal agency affairs. These positions require the use of a reliable personal car.

Case Management Responsibilities

Provide outreach and engagement to people who are homeless and those that are recently housed to create a service relationship
Conduct regular home visits to clients who are housed to provide housing retention support
Provide assessments of each client and create individual housing case plans for all engaged clients
Assist clients in meeting basic needs for food, shelter, medical /mental health care, ID’s, etc
Provide individual and in group education regarding housing retention, tenancy skills and money management
Provide ongoing housing search activities
Prepare monthly and quarterly statistical and narrative program reports
Locate and build relationships with landlords who are willing to house homeless clients
Negotiate rental agreements with landlords, conduct housing inspections, and assist participants with review of lease agreements and move-ins
Complete paperwork and obtain housing subsidies for clients as needed
Act as single point of contact for property managers and landlords to resolve tenant issues for participants
Ensure that all regulatory agreements, contracts, and fair housing laws are met as they relate to housing
Provide Medi-Cal outreach
Engage in referrals, coordination and monitoring of Medi-Cal Services
Facilitate Medi-Cal Applications
Arrange and / or provide non-emergency, non-medical transportation to Medi-Cal covered services
Participate in program planning and policy development for Medi-Cal and Non Medi-Cal clients
Attend MAA / TCM Implementation Training
Perform other related duties as required by supervisor

    Match landlord qualifications with client needs

Responsible for maintaining all documentation of activities including logs, case notes, and HMIS database records, including client intakes, program entry and program exit
Participate in Department staff meetings, case conferences, and other program activities as needed.

Work as part of the Housing Case Management Team (HCMT) to co-facilitate Housing Clinics, Groups and other HCMT activities

Organizational Responsibilities

Work within the framework of the agency’s Code of Conduct
Exercise responsibility appropriate to the positions and delegated authorities
Be responsible to everyone else, the agency and its stakeholders both for your actions and your decisions not to act
Conduct business in accordance with the BFHP Employee Handbook, exercising sound judgment and serving the best interests of the agency and the community
Commit yourself to treating each community member with respect and dignity

Qualifications

BA/BS in social work or related field preferred or three years of relevant experience preferred
Minimum of two years previous housing case management experience preferred
Minimum one year case management experience with homeless, dually diagnosed, or substance abusing populations required
Knowledge of homelessness, mental health and substance use required
Experience working in a homeless drop in center or shelter setting strongly preferred. Ability to be comfortable working in a drop in and shelter setting required.
Ability to be comfortable conducting home visits independently required
Familiarity with public assistance, chemical dependency, health, and social service programs in Alameda County
Capacity to work well in a pressured, fast-paced environment and, in consultation with supervisor, set priorities in the presence of conflicting needs
Ability to interact in a supportive and professional manner with staff and clients of diverse cultural and economic backgrounds
Excellent knowledge of local housing market
Good conflict resolution skills
Ability to meet deadlines and complete multiple tasks in a timely manner
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Ability to maintain professional conduct, attitude and appearance at all times
Capacity to work independently and as part of a team
Proficiency on PC computers, Windows, Microsoft Suite and databases, and ability to perform word processing, data entry, and other tasks at a computer work station
Ability to be added to the agency’s insurance and drive agency vehicles.
Ability to use a reliable personal vehicle for day to day transportation between program sites and other locations

Physical Requirements

The employee is regularly required to use hands to type, handle, feel
The employee is frequently required to climb stairs, walk, sit, talk and hear
The employee is occasionally required to stand, stoop, kneel, crouch or reach
The employee must occasionally safely lift and/or move up to 50lbs
Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus

Pay Rate: $38,000-$40,000 annually (nonexempt/hourly)

Please send a thoughtful cover letter with your resume expressing your interest in Berkeley Food and Housing Project and this position to hr@bfhp.org.