POSITION TITLE: BILINGUAL PREVENTION CASE MANAGER (SPANISH)
MISSION: To disrupt the cycle of homelessness and promote sustained independence for current and future generations.
VISION: A compassionate community where everyone has a home and the opportunity to thrive.
PROGRAM: Prevention Program
SUPPORTED BY: Prevention Program Manager, Housing Program Director
SALARY RANGE: Level 5 - $24.61-$29.66/hour, 40 hrs/week, non-exempt
Candidate offers consider experience, qualifications, and internal equity. Entry salary typically in the first third of the range.
BENEFITS PACKAGE: Paid time off for this position includes up to 4 weekly wellness hours, 19 days of PTO in the first year of employment (PTO includes sick time), and 12 paid holidays per year. Other benefits include agency-sponsored medical/dental insurance (current premium covered at rate of 100% for the employee), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), premium Calm meditation app subscription, and employer retirement plan contribution (current rate of 3%) after first year of employment. Lydia Place also provides a supportive, family-friendly work culture with flexible scheduling.
POSITION SUMMARY: The Bilingual Prevention Case Manager ensures that clients accessing the Lydia Place Prevention Program receive culturally responsive services. They will prioritize serving Spanish-speaking households and nurture relationships and referral pathways with community partners connected to the Spanish-speaking families in need of services. Prevention Case Managers provide support through short-term (4-8 mo, on average), intensive, stabilization-focused Case Management to clients at risk of homelessness. Case Managers help families stabilize or secure housing to help them avoid entering the homeless housing system. Case Managers will also support clients with broader goal setting, advocacy, problem-solving and accessing community resources, including referrals to Lydia Place’s Mental Health and Parent Support Programs.
LYDIA PLACE VALUES:
COMMUNITY
We believe strong healthy communities are the foundation to a better world.
EQUITY
We believe it is our responsibility to actively challenge systems of oppression. We recognize a majority of those experiencing homelessness have been marginalized.
UPSTREAM IMPACT
We believe that the best way to eliminate homelessness is to look beyond short-term solutions and focus on breaking the generational cycle of poverty.
EMPLOYEE WELLNESS
We value each other as humans first. We know that the best outcomes for our clients and our community are achieved when our team is healthy and thriving.
TO APPLY: Email resume and detailed cover letter outlining your interest, qualifications, experience, or information that may not be encompassed in your resume such as lived experience that as it relates to this position, in attached .doc or .pdf format to HR & Operations Manager, Haley Sullivan at humanresources@lydiaplace.org. You may also submit hard copy materials via PO BOX 28487 Bellingham, WA 98228. Position open until filled.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT: Lydia Place is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs, and not on the basis of race, sex/gender, religion/creed, pregnancy, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, national origin, genetic markers, military or veteran's status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
Real-world experience has value in the workplace. Individuals who identify with non-dominant groups, who have experienced poverty and had first-hand knowledge working with system resources, and who have relevant, lived experience equivalent to minimum qualifications are encouraged to apply.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Demonstrated experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services or related field AND
o 1 year of related experience in direct service
Basic knowledge of housing and support resources for low-income families in Whatcom County
Ability to establish rapport and build on family strengths in the home environment
Experience working with diverse groups of people
Proficiency with word processing, Microsoft Office programs, and cloud-based internet software
Completion of background investigation that includes social security verification, professional reference checks, and a federal criminal background investigation
Valid driver’s license, access to a vehicle and proof of insurance required
Proficiency in Spanish, including reading, writing, translating, and the ability to conduct case management sessions
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience with prevention programming
Experience or interest in establishing new programs within an organization
Proficiency in Indigenous Mexican and/or Spanish dialects, or other languages reflected in the community we serve, including but not limited to: Punjabi, Russian, or American Sign Language
REQUIRED CORE COMPETENCIES:
Anti-Oppressive Lens Must be able to adopt anti-oppression, anti-racist, and trauma-informed framework to navigate complex systems of racism, poverty, homelessness, violence against women and children and other systems of oppression.
Effective Communication
Must be able to read and interpret documents, write reports, correspond verbally and in writing with clarity, and must embody active listening skills. Must be able to ask for help when needed and offer help to others when appropriate as well as give and receive feedback. Supports and explains reasoning for decisions.
Initiative
Ability to assess and identify actions to address issues independently while knowing when to ask for appropriate support.
Organization
Effectively able to manage time and develop and carry out complex timelines and action plans. Able to follow policies and procedures.
Integrity
Responsible, reliable, and accountable for actions in all settings. Open and honest about own strengths, limitations, and boundaries. Able to maintain confidentiality and commitments.
Emotional Intelligence
Must have an awareness of own emotions and be able to manage them while also being able to understand and respond appropriately to the emotions of others. Effectively manage disagreements. Ability to manage frequent high stress situations.
Open-mindedness
Adept at holding space for opposing ideas and embrace diversity in all areas of the workplace.
Courage
Willingness to step outside of your comfort zone to address uncertainty, fear, discomfort, inequities.
Curiosity
Positive change and innovation requires that we ask questions. The why’s, why nots, and what-ifs are crucial to this work and we encourage and expect employees to ask questions. We look for curiosity about ourselves, our workplace, the people, and families we serve, and the larger community.
Flexibility
Able to adapt and pivot as situations arise that are unexpected and/or challenging. Embrace needed change and manage well when faced with ambiguity.
Creativity
Thinking outside the box, resourcefulness, trying new things, approaching things differently and moving beyond the status quo.
Collaboration
Embraces a team approach with colleagues, community partners, and can work both individually and part of a team when needed. Supports organizations goals and values.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
CASE MANAGEMENT & DIRECT CLIENT SERVICES:
Support clients with housing application/process, one-on-one case management, advocacy, rapport building, assessments, resource and referral, development of case plan, crisis management, compliance review, and program participation viability
Build and nurture community partnerships in outreach efforts to increase housing access to Spanish-speaking communities
Advocate for clients from a client-centered approach which supports clients in functioning as independently as possible
Recognize the complexities of poverty and homelessness, and provide comprehensive advocacy services to clients, which address all factors that have contributed to their homeless status
Assist client with paperwork processes including but not limited to application, lease-up, deposit, rental, and flex fund assistance; coordinate with partner agencies and property managers to obtain and maintain housing stability
Conduct entrance and exit interviews and partner with client using data provided on the entrance interview to develop a permanent housing service plan; collaborate with other agencies to meet client needs
Schedule and facilitate on-going home visits and office appointments with clients to evaluate service effectiveness and progress toward goals
Collaborate with Parent Support Program, Mental Health team and other staff to identify and offer additional programs and support services to meet client needs
Educate clients about landlord/tenant laws and reporting requirements
Facilitate occasional groups, community events, and educational classes
Assist with special events such as Thanksgiving Meal Program, Adopt-A-Family Program, etc.
COMMUNICATION, DOCUMENTATION, OTHER ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Maintain accurate and timely documentation and submission of client files and funding/contract paperwork
Work in collaboration with financial department to ensure that client financial assistance is paid in an accurate and timely manner
Ensure data compliance and integrity, in accordance with all contract and confidentiality requirements; enter data and case into AGENCY case management software, coordinate with the Housing Data Coordinator and/or Program Manager on any other data reporting requirements such as HMIS and quarterly reports
Fulfill all duties as a mandated reporter of child abuse or child neglect to DCYF
Maintain confidentiality when working with client data and electronic protected health information (ePHI) in all circumstances, except those required by law
Participate in weekly case management, supervision and Team Meetings
Communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, supervisors, and community partners
Represent Lydia Place at designated community meetings and through public presentations as assigned; preserve positive professional relationships with service providers in the community
Other duties as assigned
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception. While performing these job duties, the employee is regularly required to listen to others and provide verbal feedback. The employee is required to sit for extended periods of time. Employee also is frequently required to stand, walk, climb, or balance.