Case Assistant Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

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3 weeks vacation * 12 days sick leave * 13 holidays* medical * dental* vision* life insurance * LTD * AD&D * pension * 403b * catastrophic & accident ins

$25.46- $31.83 HR/DOE

Bertha’s Place is a 62 unit, non-congregate shelter for people experiencing homelessness.  The population served is one third single women, one third couples with a female head of household, and one third people over 55.  Bertha’s place is a secure access 24-hour/7-day a week low barrier shelter with the primary goal of helping support residents to regain permanent housing.  

The Bertha’s Place Case Manager is a member of the supportive services for Bertha’s place Shelter a program of Catholic Community Services. The goal of this position is to assist guests/clients of the Bertha’s Place Shelter program exit the shelter to permanent housing.

• MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  1. Assess Housing needs using Motivational Interviewing and a Progressive Engagement Approach. Employee shall accomplish this responsibility by completing the following tasks:
     
     A) Build a relationship of trust with the clients that can be used to support the client in finding housing
     B) Listen to client’s story and summarize back to them.
     C) Identify immediate housing barriers as well as strengths and potential assets and help households brainstorm creative options for alternate housing arrangements using Motivational Interviewing Techniques.
     D) Complete the Housing Needs Assessment Tool used by Clark County’s Coordinated Entry System
     E) Conduct Brief Screening to identify Housing, Mental Health, and Substance Use Disorder needs.
  2. Develop and Initiate Housing Stability Plan: Assess barriers to housing as well as the client’s strengths and needs, and develop a strength-based and client-centered plan for housing and housing retention. Employee shall accomplish this responsibility by completing the following tasks:
     
     A) Work collaboratively with households to determine steps needed to secure housing
     B) Document action plan for short-term intervention to resolve housing crisis, use of community and natural resources, and family strengths to create a path to permanent housing stability.
     C) Meet with client to develop a strength-based and client-centered plan for obtaining and retaining housing. This will include:
     1.  Develop plans for addressing barriers such as previous evictions or convictions.
     2. Utilize client strengths to develop and implement plans.
     3. Work with client to develop realistic plans to handle difficulties in the future. This may include disagreements with landlords or other tenants, difficulties with friends who visit, and maintaining recovery.
     D) Develop with Client specific measurable goals and action steps to achieve the goal of gaining permanent housing as well as other goals the client may have.
     3. Provide case management to Bertha’s Plave clients to assist clients in acquiring housing. Employee shall accomplish this responsibility by completing the following tasks:
     A) Meet with the client to review progress on identified action steps, possible options, and assisting the client in taking additional appropriate action steps to further plan goals.
     B) Help the client establish next action steps that are appropriate to the clients level of ability function, and independence.
     C) Work with client to address barriers to housing to include evictions and convictions.
     D) Work compassionately with clients to overcome challenges in motivation as well as the impacts of trauma and years of homelessness and poverty.
     E) Reviewing the housing stability plan with the client and update as appropriate.
     4. Provide records and reports. Employee accomplishes this responsibility by completing the following tasks:
     A) Keep accurate and timely case management notes.
     B) Participate in weekly case management meetings and provide case summaries and client status information.
     C) Keep records organized and confidential
     D) Prepare weekly report to include statistical information.
     5. Attend meetings as necessary. Employee accomplishes this responsibility by completing the following tasks:
     A) Attend weekly Team Meetings meeting.
     B) Attend other meetings as required by the Clinical Supervisor.
     6. Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• AA in a human or social services field, or 2 years of shelter generalist experience.
• Excellent inter-personnel skills including excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Word and database experience
• Ability to work with a diverse spectrum of high-need individuals
• Must have reliable transportation, valid driver’s license and automobile insurance.
• Demonstrates the necessary attitudes, knowledge and skills to deliver culturally competent services and work effectively in multi-cultural situations
• Support and uphold the mission, beliefs and values of Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services
• Applicant must successfully pass required background clearances prior to an offer of employment.
• Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in case management
• Experience with transitional housing, landlord/tenant law and other housing issues
• Bilingual skills (English-Spanish)