Homeless Case Manager at City of Cambridge in Cambridge, MA

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

The Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) creates and coordinates services that enhance the quality of life for Cambridge residents. Driven by the needs of residents, DHSP’s extensive services and programs touch almost every sector in the city: from newborns to senior citizens, from school-aged children to homeless families, from non-profit organizations to local employers.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Reporting to the Director of the Multi-Service Center (MSC), the Homeless Case Manager will serve a key function within the operations of the MSC. They will collaborate closely with the multi-agency Cambridge Coordinated Access Network (Cambridge CAN or C-CAN) team, both directly administering assessments to clients at intake, and supporting homeless clients who have additional needs that the C-CAN process cannot meet. This role will fulfill a need in the community by providing both general and housing-specific support to at-risk and homeless clients who may not be able to access case management within other resources in the city.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Homeless Case Manager will work on a team several other Prevention Case Managers; however, this role specifically will specialize in homeless services at the Multi-Service Center. This role will be responsible for maintaining and supporting a rotating caseload of clients who are experiencing homelessness to address their on-going needs in housing and accessing other services. In addition to supporting a caseload of homeless clients, this position will also be tasked with meeting with clients who are homeless and walk in for MSC services as well as some at-risk and ESG eligible clients. This position would hold regular walk-in hours and would provide basic triage and support to these clients in a variety of methods including but not limited to the tasks included below.

The Case Manager’s specific duties include, but are not limited, to the following:

Assisting clients in search for shelter placement by connecting with local shelters and maintaining working knowledge of each shelter’s individual entrance process.
Conducting basic housing search by helping guide clients to affordable housing opportunities and other applications or resources within Cambridge.
Supporting clients in becoming “document ready” by helping them to obtain vital documents for housing opportunities such as ID, birth certificate and social security card.
Assisting clients in the application process for SNAP, Social Security, health insurance and other benefits and services that they may be eligible for.
Conducting a C-CAN Assessment with clients, which is the community’s multi-agency system that connects people experiencing a housing crisis to resources and referrals to housing placements. The C-CAN program is housed at the Multi-Service Center (MSC) and this role would work closely with that team.
Managing the MSC Mail Program, which provides a place for clients with no permanent address to obtain mail at the MSC office. This requires regularly maintaining the list of participants, screening individuals for the program and ensuring mail is properly delivered and recorded.
Managing the ID Program, which provides financial support to obtain a Mass ID to homeless clients. This includes financial recording and screening of clients who participate as well as administering the checks for this resource.
Attending regular community meetings such as the Coordinated Entry Case Conferencing, the Shelter Provider meeting, and Multi-Disciplinary Outreach Team (MDOT) meetings when appropriate. In addition, other community outreach and conferences may be required to support clients’ needs.
Update and enter data into Cambridge’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) regularly and with attention to detail.
Act as a liaison to shelter case managers who may be working with clients in tandem to provide additional support and context to a client’s case. Additionally, refer clients to in-shelter case management when appropriate.
Deliver homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing case management services to ESG eligible clients, including initial assessment, service planning and budget development, making appropriate referrals to community resources and/or services, and providing advocacy and crisis intervention.
Engaging with clients who are experiencing homelessness but have external housing opportunities to make appropriate referrals to housing navigation.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

Bachelor's Degree preferred or equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Minimum of five years in human/homeless services.
Experience coordinating a multi-partner initiative or project.
Experience in services to people experiencing homelessness strongly preferred, as well as work in a diverse setting.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Strong organizational and administrative skills.
Excellent oral and written communications skills.
Crisis intervention skills, including the ability to assist clients in challenging situations and to support other staff in their ability to provide assistance.
Knowledge of Cambridge and surrounding communities helpful.
Ability to exercise mature judgment in complex situations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, WORKING CONDITIONS, WORK FLEXIBILITY AND ACCOMODATIONS

Ability to access, input and retrieve information from a computer
Ability to answer phones and maintain multiple files
Ability to lift a minimum of at least 10 lbs.
Ability to travel to meetings within the city
Be comfortable to work primarily in a standard office environment with moderate noise level, telephones, personal computers, printers, and other office equipment.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City’s Telework Policy, depending on operational needs

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:

Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance
Vacation and Sick leave eligible
Paid parental leave
Sick Incentive Pay Eligible
3 Personal days
14 Paid Holidays
Management Allowance, $2,700/year
City employee commuter benefits (T-Pass reimbursement Bluebikes membership, EZRide Shuttle membership)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the below documents to complete your application:

Resume
Cover letter