Full-time position starting at $24.60 - $27.36/hr (D.O.E) with COMPETITIVE BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability
• Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account
• Generous PTO, paid sick time, 15 days of paid vacations, 13 days of paid holidays, plus a personal holiday
• CCS/CHS 403(b) Employee Saving Plan
• Employee assistance program
• Lots of room for advancement

Program Description:

Regional Access Points (RAPs) are the front door to Coordinated Entry for All (CEA). RAPs connect unhoused individuals and families to resources in King County including housing, employment, benefits, and basic needs. Community outreach locations include food banks, libraries, and day centers. With continuous practice in Trauma-Informed Care and Motivational Interviewing, we explore all possible housing options with all households.  

Position Description:

This position has three core components:  diversion, communication & navigation, and complete CEA Housing Triage Tools (assessments).  

• Diversion

Diversion conversations are strengths-based conversations held with every eligible household in contact with the RAP to explore if the household has any safe alternatives to housing resources within the King County Continuum of Care homelessness system. This approach benefits from keeping an open mind and offers opportunities for creativity between the staff and the participant. If a household identifies a strategy, the Housing Case Manager will work with the household to achieve this outcome.  Strategies to resolve the housing crisis could include negotiating and paying housing debt, paying deposits and rent, negotiating with family members or friends to allow the person to stay with them, and financial assistance to travel to family or friends out of the area. The decision on whether to proceed ultimately lies with the participant.  

• Communication & Navigation

People inquiring about the services offered will reach out via walk-ins, phones, and email. The responsibility to respond in a timely manner is shared amongst the team. In addition, the case manager assists clients identified in the priority pools to complete additional steps necessary to attain housing resources through CEA, including any additional assessments required.  

• CEA Housing Triage Tools (Assessments)

All participants served through this position will be experiencing a housing crisis and many will not be connected to any other service providers. If diversion were not an appropriate intervention for the household because they need supportive housing services, the Housing Case Manager completes a CEA Housing Triage Tool with the household to render the household eligible for rare supportive housing program vacancies.  This position will accept appointments and walk-ins of any household type and offer alternative off-site access (mobile assessment, etc.), discuss diversion options, and where appropriate, referrals to diversion services. Discuss next steps with household and what to expect.  Facilitate identification of household strengths and needs, and referrals to other mainstream services, notably employment and education to increase household income.  

Direct Service: 

• Ability to travel throughout King County up 5 days per week to meet with participants, various stakeholders, and complete unit inspections.
• Schedule and attend various mobile sites regularly to increase access to services for various populations.
• Answer phones and respond to email inquiries promptly and in a professional manner. 
• Attend CEA case conferencing and RAP meetings as needed.
• Employ crisis management skills to respond to households’ immediate housing crisis.
• Conduct diversion conversations to explore safe alternatives to entering the homeless system during all assessments.
• Implement diversion case plan or referral when diversion is possible.
• Maintain a caseload of 12+ households exploring diversion or needing navigation assistance.
• Complete CEA triage tools for eligible households.
• Ensure assessment barriers (i.e. translation services, transportation issues) are effectively addressed.
• Assist households to gather supporting documentation required for providers participating in CEA.
• Provide ministry of presence to participants.
• Be familiar with King County shelter and housing resources.
• Have strong time management skills and be able to juggle competing priorities.
• Exercise good judgement and act within program standards when providing financial or other assistance to households.

Data and Standards:  

• Input data into the local HMIS and other data entry systems.  The HMIS Database is a large, complex database that requires a very high level of attention to detail and comfort working with data systems.  
• Ensure participant records are kept in accordance with agency and program standards  
• Ensure that participants give informed consent to have their personal identifying information included in HMIS  
• Continuously develop TIC, MI, and other best-practices skills as identified by the program leadership individually and collectively. 

General Responsibilities: 

• Adhere to confidentiality guidelines and respect privacy. 
• Ensure household voice is represented in all services. 
• Maintain accurate record of hours worked and submit timesheets on schedule. 
• Attend required trainings as scheduled. 
• Participate in staff and supervisory meetings as required. 
• Participate in agency advocacy on behalf of the people we serve 
• Open to feedback and incorporate appropriate changes in a positive manner 
• Contribute to and support a positive, team-oriented, culturally diverse work environment. 
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned. 

Job Conditions

This position requires the employee to work in an environment where there may be exposure to blood, bodily fluids, and other potentially infectious material.  Other exposures could include cleaning supplies, bedbugs, chemicals involved in pest control, paint and other materials used in building maintenance, building temperature fluctuations, dust, noise, and odors.  Working conditions include interruptions, crisis response, and regular interactions with individuals who are dealing with issues of chemical dependency and/or mental illness, or are experiencing anger or frustration.

• A combination of lived experience OR 1 year experience working with households experiencing homelessness OR a bachelor’s degree in social work, sociology or a related field OR personal experience . 
• Access to private reliable transportation.  
• Valid driver’s license and ability to be approved as a CCS Driver 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. 
• Possess strong time management skills and ability to set priorities, especially when working with people in crisis 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, HMIS or other databases, and Google Drive. 
• Excellent computer skills, with ability to maintain complex participant records.  
• Understanding of challenges participants may face, including discrimination, alcohol and drug abuse, mental illness, domestic violence, and long-term homelessness. 
• Understanding of specific barriers immigrant and refugee households face. 
• Commitment to working within the mission, goals and objectives of Catholic Community Services. 
• Criminal history background checks are required prior to employment. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Fluency in second language that is spoken by a substantial number of King County residents. 

Note to Internal Candidates: HR reviews internal compensation and determines any increase based on their experience and also agency internal equity factors.

Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please let us know if you need special accommodations to apply or interview for this position.