WHO WE ARE: Established locally in 1911, Volunteers of America Northern California & Northern Nevada (VOA NCNN) is one of the region's largest providers of social services. Our professional staff operates more than 40 locally managed and delivered programs. Services include food and shelter, counseling, independent living and parenting skills, substance-abuse treatment and rehabilitation, and job training. Currently, VOA NCNN provides shelter or housing to over 3,500 men, women, and children every night.

OUR MISSION: To change individual lives, instill hope, increase self-worth and facilitate independence, through quality housing, employment, and related supportive services.

PROGRAM AND LOCATION: VOA is recruiting a full-time Outreach Case Manager for our ReStart program in Reno, Nevada. ReStart offers both clinical and non-clinical services in an effort to reduce homelessness and increase self-sufficiency for eligible individuals and families. The services include mental health, case management, outreach to the homeless community, and housing services to qualified individuals and families. Full-time employees are eligible for a benefits package that includes paid holidays, vacation, sick pay, health, dental, vision, life, and short-term disability insurance coverage.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Coordinate and monitor services for clients with mental illness who may be homeless or at risk for homelessness through assessment of client needs, treatment planning, linking clients to agency and mainstream resources, and advocacy to maximize client’s access to mental health treatment, housing, and financial benefits to stabilize and increase client’s self-sufficiency.

OBJECTIVES/ACTIVITIES:

A. Responsible for performing daily work to accomplish the established objectives of the department.

1. Foster an environment free from ethnic or social prejudices and/or judgment
2. Complete incident reports as required.
3. Communicate with participants, external service providers, and co-workers professionally.
4. Respond to client questions and concerns.
5. Provide clients with a supportive environment.
6. Comprehend and adhere to ethical guidelines and confidentiality laws.
7. Communicate and comprehend oral and written instructions.
8. Report all infractions of policies to the appropriate manager or director.
9. Perform other duties as assigned.

B. Responsible for case management.

1. Participate in a multi-disciplinary team to conduct daily outreach to people living on the streets, along the river, in shelters, weekly motels, or institutions.
2. Engage people living outdoors to build a trusting relationship
3. Discuss barriers to treatment and encourage those living in homeless situations to seek alternatives to their situation.
4. Provide statistics on outreach contacts when requested.
5. Complete screening and assessments with clients.
6. Determine client eligibility for services.
7. When appropriate, schedule a follow-up appointment for client or link client to appropriate Restart personnel.
8. Explain and link clients to agency and community services.
9. Assist clients in accessing community services when appropriate.
10. Provide crisis intervention.
11. Inform clients of housing options.
12. Maintain a caseload of clients.
13. Review the client intake packet to ensure all required documents are accurately filled out and complete, and open the client chart.
14. Enter HMIS client data into Clarity database.
15. Make sure all required documents are accurately filled out and completed.
16. Maintain adequate case notes in DAP format.
17. Close the file after 90 days of no contact with the client.
18. Advocate on behalf of the client.
19. Make CPS and APS reports when appropriate.
20. Discuss difficult clients with the supervisor.
21. Serve as a community liaison between Restart and other agencies to disseminate information and provide other agency clients with appropriate referrals.
22. Respond to agency inquiries and return calls to other organizations within one working day.
23. Maintain client confidentiality.
24. Participate in Volunteers of America and outside training sessions.
25. Perform other reasonably related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

C. Responsible for training and development of new staff.
1. Assist in department orientation and training for new employees as requested to assure quality work outcomes.
2. Identify appropriate ongoing training for both new and existing staff and report needs to management.
3. Serve as part of the program development team by providing information and support for the development of quality operations.
4. Maintain an above-average working knowledge of fire, safety, and health standards to ensure safe work environment for clients and all personnel.

D. Responsible for self-development.
1. Continually learn and enhance technical and interpersonal skills.
2. Attend staff meetings/assigned training and complete required certifications, i.e., CPR, First Aid, etc.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

This position requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or a related field. Three years experience working with the homeless and/or related populations is preferred. This position requires demonstrated ability in record keeping, good written and verbal communication skills, and knowledge of problems unique to adults, minorities, persons with disabilities, substance abusers, and general homeless population. This position must have knowledge of the community resources available to the homeless population. This position requires CPR and First Aid training within ninety (90) days of employment date and recertification as necessary, and T.B. testing annually. A valid Nevada driver’s license and the ability to meet the organization’s insurance carrier guidelines are required.

SPECIFIC SKILLS REQUIRED:

Excellent oral and written communication skills
Ability to assist and motivate other people
Organizational skills
Analytical and decision-making ability
Statistical and mathematical skills
Computer Skills

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Lift and move up to 10 pounds
Stand, walk, and sit frequently
Bend and stoop occasionally
Climb stairs as needed