Reporting to the Director of Programs of Dawning Family Services (DFS), formerly Alpha House of Tampa, the Housing Case Manager will assist clients in the Rapid Re-Housing program search for housing and establish housing permanency. Responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to, needs assessment, mediation and advocacy with landlords, assistance locating housing, maintaining communication among all parties involved, referrals to all appropriate community programs, budget counseling, and individualized action plans to promote permanent housing sustainability.
All DFS employees are expected to demonstrate the mission, values, and sensitivity to the diversity of the organization’s clients.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Other duties may be assigned.
- Identify clients eligible for the Rapid ReHousing program through the Coordinated Entry Project established in Hillsborough County. The majority of clients will be from the community and not currently residing in our shelter.
- Determine initial and continuing eligibility criteria in accordance with HUD regulations.
- Maintains required client, legal and administrative record and statistical data as required by Dawning Family Services and program funder.
- Explain, interpret and apply HUD and other rental assistance programs policies, procedures and regulations in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.
- Facilitate individual and group sessions on moving essentials, budgeting, improving credit scores, life skills, and others as needed to assist families in achieving a successful transition to permanent housing.
- Monitor the submission and processing of clients’ housing applications to ensure clients’ timely access to all appropriate housing options.
- Ensure the timely collection, preparation and analysis of rehousing information to generate routine and as-needed reports, to evaluate program performance and to facilitate short and long-term planning for rehousing services.
- Assist clients in viewing and inspecting available housing, both public and private, to ensure they are relocated to appropriate and code-compliant housing. Complete inspection of the property to ensure compliance with HUD standards.
- Maintain appropriate documentation of Rapid Re-Housing services and input them into HMIS database on a regular basis.
- Develop a family support plan for each client based on the family’s strengths and needs, which may include, education, counseling, job skills development, employment, child care, life skills development, and others as identified by the client. Make necessary referrals to community partners and resources.
- Maintain regular (monthly at a minimum) contact with clients for the duration of their participation in the Rapid Re-Housing program through home visits and phone contacts for on-going case management and service planning to ensure housing stability.
- Work with the Director of Programs to determine the length and extent of services each family will receive with Rapid Re-Housing funds.
- Complete documentation / process(es) necessary to ensure client rental assistance is processed and payments are made in a timely fashion (i.e. landlords and utility companies, etc.).
- Communicate effectively with other Dawning Family Services staff within an interdisciplinary context and participate in, and contribute to, the development of policies and procedures.
- Maintain accurate and complete case notes and clients records from intake to goal progress and attainment in UNITY in order to track, monitor, and report on outcomes and achievements.
- Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and staff-development activities to acquire and maintain both interpersonal and operational skills necessary for successful job performance.
- Must have a flexible schedule and be able to work evenings and occasional weekends.
- There will be frequent travel throughout Hillsborough County.
- Employee will need to get certified in HUD’s Housing Quality Standards within three months of employment. Training will be provided by DFS.
- This description is intended to describe the essential job functions and the essential requirements for the performance of this job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements of a person so classified. Other functions may be assigned, and management retains the right to add or change the duties at any time.
PRINCIPAL RELATIONSHIPS: Regular contact with DFS staff to provide and obtain information. Frequent contacts with outside agencies including government agencies, housing, and community resources, and advocacy groups to facilitate the process of clients transitioning into and maintaining permanent housing.
QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. DCF background clearance, fingerprinting and drug testing required. Must have reliable transportation, valid FL driver’s license, auto insurance, and clean DMV record.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Bachelor’s degree. A minimum of two years’ experience related to homeless services, property management, and/or real estate is required. Knowledge in federal, state, and local fair housing laws. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide array of people and organizations.
RELATED SKILLS: Knowledge of homeless issues, community services, building codes, and tenant and landlord laws are required. Strong written and oral communication skills. Effective interpersonal skills to interact with clients, external partners, agencies, and others to assure clients’ needs are met. Ability to work independently with minimum supervision. Knowledge of office systems including databases; MS-Office preferred.
LANGUAGE SKILLS: Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills are essential.Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to clients, other agencies, and community partners. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from clients, residents, outside agencies and community partners. Must be able to conceptualize well and communicate professionally and effectively. Bilingual in English/Spanish is strongly preferred.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to perform basic mathematical skills, Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
REASONING ABILITY: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions, Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
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 regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.
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.Must adhere to safety and OSHA Standards. Observe safety requirements as required by employer and adhere to state and local health and safety regulations.
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: $34,000.00 to $37,000.00 /year
Experience:
- case management: 2 years (Required)
- housing: 2 years (Required)
Education:
- Bachelor’s (Required)
Location:
- Tampa, FL (Required)
Required travel:
- 50% (Required)
Work Location:
- Multiple locations
- On the road
Benefits offered:
- Paid time off
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedules
- Other types of insurance
