Careers

SOUTH COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES is a growing nonprofit organization launched in 2011 that provides for the immediate needs of South Santa Clara County residents who have lost their homes. 

We provide connection to resources to improve our client’s quality of life and increase their ability to access housing, helping an average of 100 residents gain access to permanent housing each year. We also provide the essentials that most people take for granted—food, clothing, personal hygiene items, mail, access to medical care, showers and laundry services.

We offer rental assistance to those at risk of eviction and operate the South County's only Safe Parking program that is designed to help get recently unhoused individuals back on their feet.

Responsibilities

In collaboration with our Outreach team, this individual will build rapport with individuals experiencing homelessness, assess their needs, and connect them to services that provide stability, ease the burden of homelessness and increase individuals’ quality-of-life while they await housing.

You will assess our clients’ needs, connect them to community services such as benefit assistance, provide vulnerability assessments, and access to a variety of referral services and other important resources. The goal is to utilize as many community services possible to assist with day to day needs during the process of securing long term stable housing.

Outreach efforts are conducted year-round and include visiting outdoor encampments, our local shelter and other highly frequented areas by the unhoused population. Additionally, the case manager, with the support of the team, will be responsible for completing the required documentation to enroll people in housing programs, which may include homeless verification, verification of disability, and housing subsidy applications.

Once located and program enrollments are complete, individuals and/or families are supported by the outreach team in transitioning to their newly assigned program staff with partner agencies.

Duties

• Meet un-housed individuals on the streets, encampments, shelters, or safe car park locations and establish rapport to assess how we can best assist them

• Complete intake assessment, paperwork and enroll clients into South County Community Services and Safe Parking Program

• Enroll Clients in HMIS and complete their VI-SPDAT

• Ensure homeless verification for participants follows HUD and contract standards.

• Conduct a warm hand-off of the program participant to the supportive services provider assigned

• Draft Stability Plan for each household to plan steps necessary towards removing barriers and securing housing

• Assign tasks to clients and assisting, when necessary, with the footwork to help clients achieve their goals

• Connect clients to local resources that can assist with case management goals

• Maintain case notes and documentation of connections to service

• Ensure all documents and files are up to date and organized

• Communicate client progress to Operations Manager and provide monthly program data

• Documents, via progress notes in HMIS, all case management activity within 3 business days and maintains all other case file paperwork and documentation

• Make timely and accurate decisions in emergency or crisis situations with awareness of the need for the safety of all clients, staff, or volunteers involved.

• Monitor and update outreach list/referrals trackers

• Utilize supervision appropriately, maintaining open lines of communication and providing updates on activities regularly

• Know and follow agency and program policies and procedures

• Properly report any suspected cases of abuse

• Collaborate with team members to provide participants with wrap-around support services

• Communicate effectively with service providers to complete warm hand off with clients

• Participate in training and education opportunities to maintain and improve proficiency

• Practice Harm Reduction and Housing First models with a strength-based approach

• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• 2+ years of case management experience working with the unhoused (case management experience with other populations will not meet this qualification requirement)

• Computer knowledge and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Docs/Sheets

• Commitment to the Mission and Values of South County Community Services

• Bilingual English/Spanish required

• Lived experience highly valued

• High School Diploma or GED preferred

• Relevant experience or knowledge of non-profit agencies

• Clean driving record, Valid CA driver’s license, and legally required insurance; reliable transportation

• Basic computer skills, including knowledge of MS Office applications and the Internet

Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge

• Ability to develop relationships and garner trust

• Understanding of working with a diverse unhoused population in South Santa Clara County

• Exceptional critical thinking and problem-solving skills

• Ability to present oneself and the agency professionally to internal and external audiences. Strong written and oral communication skills

• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with community partners and outside agencies

• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain priorities and meet established deadlines

• Exceptional organizational skills

• High level of flexibility and ability to prioritize appropriately

• Ability to work with people of diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds

• Understanding of and strong adherence to social work ethics

• Ability to work as a collaborative member of a team

• Have deep knowledge of HMIS and the ViSPDAT assessment processes

• Thrives in a dynamic and high activity environment

• Excellent at diffusing conflict with the ability to maintain composure and inform staff when additional support is needed

• Possesses an attentive, receptive, assertive, calm and professional approach to dealing with critical need individuals

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Excellent customer service skills

Physical Requirements

• This position is considered moderately physical and requires a degree of standing, bending, lifting and walking

South County Community Services is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, as well as any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial, or local law. Applicants must be over the age of 18.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Dental insurance

• Health insurance

• Paid time off

• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Pay Rate: $25 to $27.50 Depending on experience