ABOUT PEOPLE FIRST OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY (formerly The Free Guide)
People First is a homeless services provider in Santa Cruz County dedicated to ensuring housing for all by uniting the community, forming partnerships, inspiring advocacy and providing services. We regularly update and distribute lists of free services and resources through the County in the form of 4 different Free Guides (Santa Cruz, Watsonville, San Lorenzo Valley, and Veterans). We also launched an Outreach-Based Case Management Program in January which works with homeless and recently housed people throughout the County by meeting them where they’re at, literally and metaphorically. This past winter was our second season of running Extreme Weather Shelters (EWS) in the County which provided hundreds of people experiencing homelessness with a warm and welcoming place to rest in the evening and spend time during the day.
We’re excited to be entering our third year of operating an RV Safe Parking Program that includes a stable place for individuals and families to park their RVs 24/7, case management, and housing navigation. We are currently hiring for the position of full time RV Safe Parking Case Manager. We are seeking a team member who grounds their work in compassion and integrity, and who creates environments and relationships in which people feel safe, valued, and supported.
RV SAFE PARKING CASE MANAGER
The RV Safe Parking Case Manager works with program participants to help people end their homelessness. They build rapport with participants such that they are able to identify each participant’s barriers to entering housing, help the participant create a plan to address each barrier, and support them while addressing each barrier in such a way that the participant becomes ready to end their homelessness. The Case Manager also connects their participants with agencies and services that will assist the participant with ending their homelessness, and maintains relationships with staff at those organizations.
Position Responsibilities
Supportive Services:
- Develop a working relationship / build rapport that will assist program participants with addressing barriers to obtaining services / housing and appropriate health care needs.
- Meet with participants on a weekly basis to review, evaluate, and support completion of their goals, connect them to the proper intervention and services. Enter results into HMIS in a timely manner.
- Provide case management services by bringing services to participants in the community with the goal of linking / connecting them to long term supportive services, including assisting the client with benefits establishment (GA, SSI, TANF, Veterans pension, etc.), obtaining ID, birth certificate, social security cards, providing employment linkages and assistance, housing referrals and health related assistance.
- Build relationships and collaborate with community substance use and mental health providers to ensure seamless referral and services from street outreach to longer term mental health services.
- Participate in Case Management/Supportive Services staff meetings, case reviews and related functions.
- Maintain effective relationships with community partners and represent The Free Guide professionally in the community.
- Attend trainings, workshops and conferences related to position.
- Maintain confidential, professional boundaries with all program participants.
- Maintain HIPAA compliance at all times.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Documentation:
- Conduct and complete all necessary paperwork to track client progress (daily logs, 30-day action plan meeting notes, etc.).
- Maintain documentation standards as set forth by the program contract and City of Santa Cruz policies.
- Complete paperwork on every face to face / telephone contact with client or collateral contact by program specific timelines.
- Ensure all program data is accurate and entered into the required program documentation system as contractually required (i.e. HMIS, internal spreadsheet, etc.).
- Prepare case-related reports including but not limited to: demographics, outcomes, successes and challenges.
- Generate client data for reporting.
- Complete follow-up and retention services, as necessary, and provide back-up documentation in client file.
- Maintain complete and accurate documentation of service objectives and outcomes as well as other services in accordance with Federal, State, County, People First and City guidelines.
We’re looking for candidates with…
- the ability to work independently and as part of the team and exercises mature and professional judgment;
active listening skills;
- strong written and verbal communication skills;
- creative problem solving and healthy conflict resolution skills;
- high level of motivation and self-starting demeanor with the ability to coordinate multiple projects / tasks at once;
- knowledge of maintaining and executing confidential information using HIPAA standards;
- flexibility, adaptability, and the capability to work in a fast paced, professional environment; and
- the ability to demonstrate compassion and meet people where they’re at while also facilitating getting them to where they want to be.
Training and Experience
- 1-2 years experience working with people who are homeless and/or a bachelor’s degree in a field related to social/human services.
- Candidates who have lived homelessness expertise will be prioritized.
- Candidates with training and demonstrated knowledge in Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, Trauma-Informed Care, and Housing First are preferred.
Special Requirements
Regardless of qualifications, candidates must…
- have employment eligibility verification,
- have or be able and willing to obtain CPR / First Aid training, and
- be able to work on site full time at the RV Safe Parking Program in Santa Cruz, California.
Driving
Driving is an essential function of this position. To meet the employment requirements for this role, all candidates must have…
- reliable transportation,
- a valid driver’s license,
- proof of insurance and ownership for personal vehicles used during work duties, and
- the ability to qualify for People First’s auto insurance coverage.
Compensation
- Benefits options include health, dental, and vision insurance.
- Flex time off (vacation leave, sick leave, holidays, or any other type of time off). You do not need to accrue days to be able to use them, and you do not get paid out for any "unused" vacation days at the end of the year or when your employment ends.
Please email your resume to [email protected].