Case Manager

United Way of East Central Iowa; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commons on 16th is seeking a compassionate Case Manager to support residents experiencing homelessness toward stable housing, using Housing First and trauma-informed approaches.

Key duties include assessments, housing transition plans, coordinating with landlords, accessing community resources, and maintaining thorough documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Sociology, Counseling, or a related field.
• Minimum of two years of intensive case management, housing navigation, homelessness services, behavioral health, or related human services.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, serious mental illness, substance use disorders, or complex trauma preferred.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Ability to successfully complete all required background checks.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial and housing needs assessments upon program enrollment.
• Develop individualized Housing Transition Plans with each resident within established program timelines.
• Maintain regular contact with assigned residents through scheduled case management meetings.
• Monitor resident progress toward housing stability goals and update service plans as needed.
• Assist residents in overcoming barriers to obtaining and maintaining permanent housing.
• Utilize motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, and person-centered practices to promote resident engagement and self-determination.
• Develop and implement individualized long-term housing transition plans for every resident.
• Assist residents with housing applications, landlord engagement, lease preparation, and housing searches.
• Coordinate referrals to Rapid Rehousing, Permanent Supportive Housing, Housing Choice Vouchers, affordable housing providers, and other permanent housing opportunities.
• Support residents with move-in planning, budgeting, tenancy preparation, and transition to independent housing.
• Coordinate housing exits to ensure successful and sustainable placements.
• Connect residents to healthcare, behavioral health, substance use treatment, employment services, education, transportation, legal assistance, income supports, and other community resources.
• Coordinate services with healthcare providers, community agencies, and multidisciplinary partners.
• Advocate on behalf of residents to reduce barriers to housing stability and access to services.
• Participate in multidisciplinary staffing meetings to coordinate resident care.
• Build trusting professional relationships while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
• Encourage participation in life skills development, employment, education, recovery services, and community integration.
• Support residents in developing independent living skills, financial literacy, conflict resolution, and tenancy success.
• Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation as needed while coordinating with operational staff during emergencies.
• Maintain timely, accurate, and complete case documentation within HMIS and other required data systems.
• Complete program assessments, service plans, case notes, referrals, housing documentation, and outcome tracking.
• Ensure documentation complies with agency, funder, and confidentiality requirements.
• Monitor program performance measures related to housing placement, retention, and resident outcomes.
• Work collaboratively with the Staffing Director and Resident Support Specialists to ensure coordinated resident care while maintaining appropriate role boundaries.
• Coordinate with the Homeless Systems Manager regarding resident progress, housing outcomes, and program improvement opportunities.
• Participate in case conferences, multidisciplinary meetings, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Develop collaborative relationships with landlords, property managers, community providers, healthcare organizations, and partner agencies.

Skills

Housing First

Trauma-informed care

Harm reduction

Motivational interviewing

Strengths-based case management

HUD programs

Coordinated Entry

HMIS

Rapid Rehousing

Permanent Supportive Housing

Landlord engagement

Housing navigation

Tenancy support

Communication

Organization

Documentation

Multitasking

Crisis intervention

Microsoft Office

Electronic case management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work

Tools

HMIS

Electronic case management systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Help individuals move from homelessness to stable, permanent housing. The Commons on 16th is seeking a compassionate and organized Case Manager to provide person-centered support to residents on their housing journey. Working from a Housing First and trauma-informed approach, this role helps residents develop individualized goals, access community resources, overcome barriers, and secure stable housing. The ideal candidate is passionate about serving others, skilled at building relationships, and committed to creating lasting positive outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS:

• Knowledge of Housing First, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and strengths-based case management.
• Familiarity with HUD homeless assistance programs, Coordinated Entry, HMIS, Rapid Rehousing, Permanent Supportive Housing, and mainstream benefits.
• Strong knowledge of landlord engagement, housing navigation, and tenancy support.
• Excellent communication, organization, and documentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high-quality resident engagement.
• Strong problem-solving, advocacy, and crisis intervention skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic case management systems.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Housing Stabilization & Case Management

• Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial and housing needs assessments upon program enrollment.
• Develop individualized Housing Transition Plans with each resident within established program timelines.
• Maintain regular contact with assigned residents through scheduled case management meetings.
• Monitor resident progress toward housing stability goals and update service plans as needed.
• Assist residents in overcoming barriers to obtaining and maintaining permanent housing.
• Utilize motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, and person-centered practices to promote resident engagement and self-determination.

Permanent Housing Planning

• Develop and implement individualized long-term housing transition plans for every resident.
• Assist residents with housing applications, landlord engagement, lease preparation, and housing searches.
• Coordinate referrals to Rapid Rehousing, Permanent Supportive Housing, Housing Choice Vouchers, affordable housing providers, and other permanent housing opportunities.
• Support residents with move-in planning, budgeting, tenancy preparation, and transition to independent housing.
• Coordinate housing exits to ensure successful and sustainable placements.

Resource Coordination

• Connect residents to healthcare, behavioral health, substance use treatment, employment services, education, transportation, legal assistance, income supports, and other community resources.
• Coordinate services with healthcare providers, community agencies, and multidisciplinary partners.
• Advocate on behalf of residents to reduce barriers to housing stability and access to services.
• Participate in multidisciplinary staffing meetings to coordinate resident care.

Resident Engagement

• Build trusting professional relationships while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
• Encourage participation in life skills development, employment, education, recovery services, and community integration.
• Support residents in developing independent living skills, financial literacy, conflict resolution, and tenancy success.
• Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation as needed while coordinating with operational staff during emergencies.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain timely, accurate, and complete case documentation within HMIS and other required data systems.
• Complete program assessments, service plans, case notes, referrals, housing documentation, and outcome tracking.
• Ensure documentation complies with agency, funder, and confidentiality requirements.
• Monitor program performance measures related to housing placement, retention, and resident outcomes.

Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with the Staffing Director and Resident Support Specialists to ensure coordinated resident care while maintaining appropriate role boundaries.
• Coordinate with the Homeless Systems Manager regarding resident progress, housing outcomes, and program improvement opportunities.
• Participate in case conferences, multidisciplinary meetings, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Develop collaborative relationships with landlords, property managers, community providers, healthcare organizations, and partner agencies.

Other Duties

• Participate in required trainings and professional development.
• Assist with program evaluation and continuous quality improvement efforts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Sociology, Counseling, or a related field required. Relevant experience may substitute for education where appropriate.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience providing intensive case management, housing navigation, homelessness services, behavioral health, or related human services.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, serious mental illness, substance use disorders, or complex trauma preferred.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Ability to successfully complete all required background checks.