Job Description

Posting number: 25-00429

Department: Health & Human Services

Division: Behavioral Health 141-445

Job classification: Housing Case Worker I

Posting type: Open

Categories: Mental Health, Human Services

Summary

Expected Hire Pay Scale:

Housing Case Worker I: $1,852.73 - $2,042.64 bi-weekly

Housing Case Worker II: $2,045.07 - $2,254.69 bi-weekly

The County of Del Norte Health and Human Services Department, Behavioral Health Branch, is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the position of Housing Case Worker I/II. This position is classified as full-time.

Employees in this classification receive general to limited supervision within a framework of policies and procedures. Under general supervision, performs basic and intensive case management services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness including assistance with obtaining and maintaining housing, increasing access to mainstream resources and increasing income to prevent the household from becoming homeless. The case worker will assist individuals with identifying barriers to housing stability and engage in goal planning that aims to link individuals to the resources and skills that they need to achieve long-term housing stability. This work consists of routine to complex paraprofessional duties at an entry to journey level.

Housing Case Worker I is the first working level in this skilled class and are assigned housing case management work which may be complex and demanding with a high level of responsibility for client outcome. The entry level is assigned duties which will increase with training and experience. With additional experience and/or education incumbents may be eligible for advancement in this series.

Housing Case Worker II is the second and final working level in this skilled class and is assigned paraprofessional, complex services under minimal supervision. Employees in this class may be responsible for training other entry level paraprofessionals. A complex level of interagency contact and client responsibility is required. Employees advanced to this level in the series have demonstrated the ability to adequately fulfill the responsibilities over an extended period of time with an increase in knowledge through experience and education.

Examples of duties

Essential job duties may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Provide in-person, community-based case management services that are strength-based, client–centered and trauma informed.
• Complete comprehensive bio-psychosocial assessments to identify participant’s strengths, resources, and obstacles towards securing permanent, sustainable housing within the community.
• In partnership with clients, develop mutually agreed upon case plan goals and steps to be taken towards meeting those goals.
• Responsible for overall care coordination and communication between Coordinated Entry team and multidisciplinary providers to ensure provision of services and implementation of care plan.
• Provide crisis intervention for immediate housing needs, medical, mental health and substance abuse issues. Make recommendations and referrals to government and community-based programs, benefits, and services. Directly assist clients with linkage to appropriate services and providers within the community, which may, on occasion, include after-hours response.
• Assist clients with paperwork and applications to secure temporary and permanent housing
• Assist clients to access medical, mental health and substance use treatment providers, including accompaniment to appointments as needed.
• Teach activities of daily living and other skills necessary to maintain housing and improve independence in the community.
• Act as an advocate for clients with social services, community-based agencies, and health and behavioral health providers.
• Recruit landlords to accept subsidized housing clients, work closely with the Housing Authority to secure leases, and maintain ongoing relationships with landlords to support client housing acquisition and stability.
• Maintains current records in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) database and paper or electronic case files by documenting interactions with individuals, families, and service providers.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of client information to ensure that the client’s privacy is maintained.
• Participates in weekly case management and other program meetings.
• Performs outreach services at community events and programs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Any combination of education, training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Housing Case Worker I:

Pattern I: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university; OR

Pattern 2: Successful completion of thirty (30) college semester units or forty-five (45) quarter units from an accredited college or university, including fifteen (15) semester units or twenty-two and a half (22.5) quarter units in social welfare, social/human services, sociology, or other social or behavioral science; AND Two (2) year of full-time experience working in a social services, mental health, or substance abuse setting.

Housing Case Worker II:

Pattern 1: One (1) year of full-time experience as a Housing Case Worker I.

OR

Pattern 2: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university; AND

One (1) year of full-time experience working in a social services, mental health, or substance abuse setting.

OR

Pattern 3: Successful completion of sixty (60) college semester units or ninety (90) quarter units from an accredited college or university, including thirty (30) semester units or thirty (30) quarter units in social welfare, social/human services, sociology, or other social or behavioral science; AND

A minimum of three (3) years of full time experience working in social services, mental health, or substance abuse setting.

*Examples of acceptable social or behavioral science courses include: anthropology, criminal justice, education, ethnic studies, history, human development, human services, law, nursing, nutrition, psychology, public health, social welfare, sociology, welfare, women's studies.

Desirable Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in social work, behavioral science, psychology or closely related field.

NOTE: Applicants who anticipate receiving their bachelor's degree within three months of the application deadline may apply, but will not be eligible for appointment until they have received their degree.

Supplemental information

Job Requirements:

Knowledge of:

• Housing First philosophy and principles, and Whole-person care approach.
• Principles and practices of organization, workload management and time management.
• Principles of interviewing and problem-solving methodology.
• General principles of public assistance policies and programs.
• Developing and preparing case plans, case narratives and safety plans in automated computer systems.
• Basic principles and techniques of interviewing and recording of social casework.
• The strategies and protocols surrounding crisis intervention techniques.

Ability to:

• Understand and learn the agency programs, policies, and procedures.
• Establish and maintain effective client rapport and professional working relationships with agency staff, clients, and others.
• Communicate effectively, both orally (phone and in person) and in writing.
• Analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action.
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with legal standards and/or county regulations.
• Work effectively in emotionally charged or stressful settings/emergencies.
• Respect cultural differences.

Special Requirements

Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s license.

All County of Del Norte employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through State law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County of Del Norte requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Work related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Typical Working Conditions

Work is generally performed in an office environment under both quiet and noisy conditions; continuous contact with general public, departmental and County staff, management, individuals and other outside organizations. Travel within Del Norte County and the State of California is required if necessary and job related.

Typical Physical Requirements

The physical and mental 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 a disability to perform the essential functions.

Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; physical ability to climb stairs, stoop, bend and crouch on occasion; frequently reach with hands and arms; frequently lift and/or move up to 30 pounds without assistance; occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds with or without assistance; normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination for regular and ongoing use of office equipment including computers, telephones, calculators, copiers and FAX; corrected hearing and vision to normal range for regular and ongoing use of office equipment; Occasionally use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, and/or controls; Must have the ability to safely drive a vehicle on a regular basis including, out of the area for trainings, conferences or other job related reasons.