Case Manager, Housing - Church World Service

About CWS:

Imagine waking up every morning with the chance to change someone's life. Imagine knowing your efforts will benefit both your career and our neighbors around the world. At CWS, our team knows they are making a difference every day. Whether you're in our U.S.-based offices supporting refugees, asylees or unaccompanied children ... implementing hygiene initiatives in Cambodia or rebuilding projects in Central America ... or even connecting remotely from your home on fundraising campaigns, grant reports, or critical communications - you have the opportunity to work towards a world where everyone has food, a voice and a safe place to call home. 

Purpose:

The Housing Case Manager coordinates all aspects of temporary and permanent housing operations for the CWS Local office. The position is responsible for community outreach, researching and locating affordable housing, overseeing direct financial housing assistance and tracking, coordinating Airbnb and other temporary housing, and managing housing referrals and logistics for refugee arrivals. The Case Manager will work with a range of individuals, partner agencies, and housing agencies including refugee sponsors, landlords, Airbnb hosts, government agencies, volunteers, and faith/community organizations.  This position represents CWS mission and vision publicly through providing community outreach as a means to cultivate new housing relationships. The Housing Caseworker also assists with coordinating donations for new households and designing and implementing cultural orientation, as a component of the role, as well as supporting the case management team.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct community outreach for new relationships with potential landlords and property managers. Maintains positive relationships with local landlords, owners, and property management companies.
• Educate landlords and property managers on CWS resettlement program. Provide presentations to community organizations, property managers, government agencies, and other relevant stakeholders about client populations and housing needs.
• Attend and present housing-related information in community meetings to share the challenges and strengths that refugees bring regarding housing needs. 
• Develop and maintain a housing resources guide.
• Coordinate housing referrals with the case management team. Participate in direct service case coordination meetings and regularly communicate with clients, case managers, and resettlement supervision.
• Oversee direct housing assistance and Airbnb funds. Oversee tracking and reporting for financial assistance and Airbnb. Ensure accurate and timely direct assistance spending and reporting.
• Work with the CWS Local community engagement and case management teams to secure and deliver furniture, household supplies, and in-kind donations. Ensure donations are successfully tracked and reported. 
• As per grant requirements, manage planning for initial housing for refugees by coordinating property visits, home inspections, housing applications, and temporary housing, if needed.
• Liaise with landlords throughout housing negotiations, lease signing, and initial move-in, as per program specific requirements.
• Coordinate household setups with a local volunteer group to arrange for homes to be furnished with donations and all other necessary supplies. 
• Manage the ordering/purchasing supplies that are not available through donations.  
• Ensure submission and approval of all financial requests related to housing including rent, security deposit, application fees, lease transfer fees, beds and other furniture, household goods, etc.
• Ensure documentation of all housing services in clients’ case notes and record all financial transactions in clients’ financial tracking logs. Ensure appropriate documentation in clients’ files, including Home Safety Evaluation forms, lease contracts, and financial paperwork.
• Assists the case management team as a member of the CWS Local office.
• Available for possible evening or weekend housing coordination, as needed.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education:  Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree

 

Experience:  3 years of previous work experience with refugee or immigrant-related services, or in community housing.

 

Skills:

• Must have superior written and verbal communication skills. Experience with and ability presenting information in a public forum.
• Must be computer literate, with proficiency in MS Office suite. Ability to create and maintain Excel spreadsheets for financial and data tracking.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment required.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and willingness to support CWS’ Platform on Racial Justice as a CWS employee required.

Special Requirements:

• Ability to lift and move furniture and household supplies.
• Must be willing to work evenings and weekends on occasion, as needed.
• A valid U.S. driver’s license is also required, along with the ability to move furniture and donations.  The candidate will be expected to transport clients in their own vehicle (mileage will be reimbursed) and must have a reliable working car for this purpose.  
• The successful candidate must pass a background check.

Benefits :CWS offers a competitive benefits package that includes:    - 403 (b) Retirement Plan                                               - Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance                                                  - Generous Paid Time Off (18 Paid Days Off; 24 Days after 2 Years)  - 14 Official Holidays  - 12 Sick Days Off (Accrued monthly)                                      - Life Insurance and AD&D                                             - Long Term and Short-Term Disability                                                  - Employee Assistance Program (EAP)                                                 - Health Savings Account                                               - Flexible Spending Accounts      - Commuter Benefits