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Use your skills to help improve the lives of homeless people in our community!
Join Opportunity Council as our Intensive Case Manager and apply today!

This position is located onsite within one of our residential complexes such as Dorothy Place (which provides support services and housing for people who are survivors of domestic violence and homelessness), or 22 North (which provides support services and housing for adults, Veterans, and youth experiencing homelessness).

The Opportunity Council is looking to fill an Intensive Case Manager position for a full-time job in Whatcom County. The Case Manager ensures clients’ basic and specific needs are met so that they can overcome barriers and make progress towards self-sufficiency. The Intensive Case Manager ensures compliance with grant requirements and manages caseloads that include individuals struggling with homelessness, mental health, recovering and active addictions hoping to get back on their feet. We are looking for an organized, creative, and compassionate candidate with a desire to assist some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Must possess a valid driver’s license.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Intensive Case Manager (ICM) provides day-to-day case management for residents who are transitioning from homelessness to safe, secure, long-term housing within Opportunity Council’s Permanent Supportive Hosing (PSH) programs. The ICM works in conjunction with PSH staff and property managers to assist residents with their daily and ongoing needs, particularly with challenges that arise related to their severe and persistent mental illnesses, substance use disorders and/or health concerns to keep them safely housed. The ICM serves as primary point of contact for responding to resident crises and more complex resident situations, including working collaboratively with crisis services, emergency services and other outside service providers. Uses Housing First, Harm Reduction, Trauma Informed Care and Advanced Motivational Interviewing models of case management that is client driven, solution focused and facilitates change and movement toward greater stability and well-being.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Maintains a caseload of clients who are chronically homeless with a high vulnerability score based on a SPDAT and/or PRISM score.
2. Must spend at least 50% of time providing direct client services.
3. Assist adults with persistent or recurrent mental illness who live independently in the community via locating housing, food & transportation
resources, applying for entitlements, providing counseling and life skill training, facilitating the development of natural community supports, and advocating for the client's needs.
4. Develop goal-oriented plans that are strength-based, and recovery oriented on all assigned clients.
5. Flexibility and high tolerance to a variety of people, situations, problems and challenges.
6. Provides homeless housing related case management services using Harm Reduction and Advanced Motivational Interviewing to households participating in supportive housing programs.
7. Conducts client intakes and provides assessments including determining client eligibility for homeless housing services.
8. Performs in-home and office visits with assigned clients; may participate in additional in-home visits, inspections or meetings as determined by supervisor and or client needs.
9. Completes and maintains confidential case notes on every client in a timely manner. Provides billing reporting and tracking information for data management systems as necessary.
10. Develops and maintains cooperative working relationships with outside agencies and service providers driving wrap-around service collaboration.
11. Ensures services are fully integrated with mental health, chemical dependency, and primary care.
12. Serves as link between client and internal/external resources.
13. Provides crisis intervention and risk assessment; May include working with crisis services, emergency services and tolerating behavioral health or substance use related behaviors.
14. Provides transportation for clients as necessary.
15. Ensures that all federal, state, agency and/or funder guidelines are met.
16. Assists in program development work.
17. Regularly responds and follows up to shift notes recorded by staff.
18. Works closely with the property management team to address funding or lease related issues.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Attends regularly scheduled staff meetings and trainings.
2. Other related duties and special projects as assigned.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Psychology, Sociology, or related field and three years related experience or equivalent education/experience.
2. Experience in case management services with a demonstrated mastery in Motivational Interviewing, crisis management, demonstrated ability to effectively support persons with chronic behavioral health issues including persons struggling with problematic substance use and persons living with mental illness treated or untreated.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

1. Verbal and written communication skills.
2. Computer skills: must be proficient in excel, word, access, outlook, etc.
3. Interpersonal skills and the ability to interact positively with clients from diverse populations.
4. The ability to create an innovative approach or new procedure or system as appropriate.
5. Ability to maintain accurate and timely case management records.
6. Must be friendly and treat individuals with dignity and respect.
7. Must spend at least 50% of time providing direct client services.
8. Flexibility and high tolerance to a variety of people, situations, problems and challenges.

Special Requirements:

• Must have Washington State driver's license at time of hire.
• Required to provide five (5) year driving history/abstract prior to first day of employment. Must be insurable under Opportunity Council's insurance for duration of employment in this position.
• All employees must be fully vaccinated with a WHO-approved two-dose COVID-19 vaccine prior to their first day of employment

Remote Work: Maybe Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule (remote and on-site work)

Essential Employee: This position is an essential employee who ensures the continuity of critical functions and business operations at Opportunity Council. This position will be expected to report to work on-site (or remotely at the discretion of the CFO) even if Opportunity Council is otherwise closed for services and operations due to weather, public health emergency, or similar event.

Working Conditions: Work is generally performed in a fast–paced residential complex with frequent interruptions and occasional crisis situations. Majority of the work centers in direct services and procedures that require a high degree of
confidentiality, tactfulness, and respect for clients from diverse economic and cultural backgrounds. Frequent off-site home visits and requires travel within the agency’s service areas for community resource networking, meetings, special workshops, speaking engagements and other job-related professional activities.

Benefits@Opportunity Council

Opportunity Council offers the following benefits to eligible employees:

• Paid time off earned on an accrual basis (vacation, sick, personal holidays)
• Paid time off for wellness needs
• Employer-paid holidays (13 in 2023)
• Employer-paid HDHP and low-cost traditional health care options
• HSA and FSA, subject to plan terms
• Eligibility for Critical Illness coverage
• 403(b) retirement plan (5% employer contribution)
• Eligibility for health coverage for legal dependents
• Eligibility for employee/family dental and vision coverage
• Voluntary benefits such as life insurance, long-term disability, long-term care and personal legal services

Opportunity Council is a private, non-profit Community Action Agency serving homeless and low-income families and individuals. Our mission is to help people improve their lives through education, support, and direct assistance while advocating for just and equitable communities. For over 50 years we have offered a broad scope of services that range from addressing immediate and crisis-oriented needs (food, emergency shelter, eviction-prevention) to longer-term programs that promote self-sufficiency in our community (early childhood education, home weatherization). For more details, please visit our website at https://www.oppco.org.