Case Manager - Housing - FL - 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 supports newcomer populations by coordinating temporary and permanent housing. The position is responsible for community outreach countywide to landlords, researching and locating affordable housing, overseeing direct financial housing assistance, tracking and coordinating Airbnb and other temporary housing units, and managing housing referrals and logistics for refugee arrivals. The Housing 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 will represent CWS publicly through providing community outreach as a means to cultivate new housing relationships. The Housing Case Manager also assists with coordinating donations for new households, as needed.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct community outreach to build relationships with potential landlords and property managers. Maintain positive relationships with 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 and direct housing assistance funds. Ensure accurate and timely direct assistance spending and reporting.
• Work with the Resettlement Outreach/In-kind Case Manager, Regional Volunteer Coordinator and case management teams to help provide clients with 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 and eligible client populations 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. 
• 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.
• 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: 

 

• A minimum of 3 year’s previous work experience with refugee or immigrant-related services, or in community housing.

 

Skills:

• Highly organized, self-starter with strong verbal, written, presentation and training skills.
• Excellent communication skills, including but not limited to, overall computer experience and marketing, social media and public relations. Ability to work flexible schedule, including early and/or later meetings, as needed.
• Spanish and/or Haitian Creole language fluency required. 

Special Requirements:

• Must have a valid driver's license, insurance, and suitable transportation.
• Must complete motor vehicle record check.
• Must be willing and able to travel.
• Background check required

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