Case Manager, Level 1 (Housing Search)

City-of-Cambridge,-Ma; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Cambridge seeks a Housing Search Case Manager to provide intake, assessment, service planning, and ongoing case management for individuals and families with complex housing needs. You will work with clients who may be homeless or housing unstable, including immigrants and non-English speakers, and coordinate with community partners to promote stability.

Responsibilities include developing individualized housing plans, making referrals, assisting access to benefits, maintaining case

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work or related field required; master's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct intake, screening, and needs assessment; enroll clients in programs and tracking systems.
• Develop and implement individualized service plans with goals, timelines, and measurable outcomes.
• Coordinate referrals and warm handoffs across social services, healthcare, housing, and legal systems.
• Assist clients with applying for public benefits and rental assistance.
• Maintain accurate client records and contribute to grant reporting and program evaluation.

Skills

Housing search

Case management

Needs assessment

Trauma-informed practice

Culturally responsive communication

Data entry / records

MS Office / case management systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

HMIS

Microsoft Office

Case management software

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Housing Search Case Manager provides intake, assessment, service planning, and ongoing case management services to individuals and families with complex needs. The Housing Search Case Manager will offer individualized comprehensive housing search and case management support to individuals and families. Clients may include individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability, families with young children, elderly or disabled residents, immigrants and non-English-speaking community members, individuals involved with the justice system. The Housing Search Case Manager reports to the Housing Services Center Director and connects clients to appropriate resources, develops individualized service plans, and works collaboratively with community partners to promote client stability and well-being.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:

• The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
• Conduct intake, screening, and needs assessment for new clients; gather relevant background information, assess presenting concerns and eligibility, and enroll clients into appropriate programs and tracking systems (e.g., HMIS, case management databases).
• Develop and implement individualized service plans in partnership with clients, identifying goals, strategies, timelines, and measurable outcomes tailored to client needs and program requirements (e.g., housing stability plans, family support plans, employment plans, or permanent supportive housing agreements).
• Connect clients to appropriate community resources and services by making referrals, providing warm handoffs, and coordinating with partner agencies across social service, healthcare, legal, housing, employment, education, and financial assistance systems.
• Assist clients in accessing and applying for public benefits, financial assistance programs, and other supports (e.g., SNAP, MassHealth, Social Security, rental assistance, fuel assistance, utility programs, and housing vouchers).
• Conduct outreach to individuals and communities in need of services, including home visits, community site visits, and attendance at community events, partner meetings, and collaborative forums.
• Provide ongoing case management and follow-up support to assigned caseload, monitoring client progress, addressing emerging barriers, adjusting service plans as needed, and coordinating multi-agency support for clients with complex needs.
• Maintain accurate and timely client records, case notes, service plans, and program documentation in applicable data systems; collect, track, and report client and program data for grant reporting, departmental initiatives, and interagency collaborations.
• Work cooperatively with community partners, service providers, and other stakeholders on behalf of clients; participate in case conferences, multi-disciplinary team meetings, community advisory groups, and interagency collaborations.
• Participate in team meetings, staff trainings, professional development opportunities, and special projects as assigned; contribute to continuous improvement of program services and practices.
• May provide functional guidance or task-level support to interns, volunteers, or AmeriCorps members as assigned.
• Perform related duties as required.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Experience

• Professional experience providing housing search and navigation preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, public health, or a closely related human services field required; master's degree preferred.
• Three (3) years of experience in human services, case management, social services, direct service, or a closely related field; experience working with vulnerable or underserved populations in a municipal, nonprofit, or community-based setting preferred. including experience serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness in culturally and linguistically diverse communities and settings, with a demonstrated commitment to addressing social inequities.
• Certifications in trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, mental health first aid, or related areas are a plus.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of human services systems, community resources, and public benefits programs relevant to the assigned program population (e.g., housing and shelter systems, early childhood services, elder services, workforce development, immigrant services, or justice-involved populations).
• Knowledge of trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and strength-based case management principles and practices.
• Knowledge of Cambridge and regional community resources, partner agencies, and service networks.
• Skill in conducting needs assessments, developing individualized service plans, and setting measurable client goals.
• Skill in crisis intervention, de-escalation, and providing support to clients in complex or challenging situations.
• Skill in building trusting, respectful relationships with clients from diverse backgrounds, including across cultural, racial, linguistic, age, and socioeconomic differences.
• Skill in data entry, case management documentation, and maintaining accurate records in applicable program databases.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and willingness to learn program-specific case management systems.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex information clearly and adapt communication style to diverse audiences.
• Ability to manage a caseload, plan and prioritize work, meet documentation and reporting deadlines, and maintain organizational systems.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team in a fast-paced, multi-program environment.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and ethical practice in complex, sensitive, or urgent client situations.
• Ability to interact effectively and sensitively across cultural, racial, age, language, socioeconomic, and other differences.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Works under the general direction of the Housing Services Center Director, exercising independent judgment within established policies and procedures. Work is reviewed through regular supervision, case conferences, case record audits, quality of case management services, and compliance with program requirements.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

This position has no formal supervisory responsibilities, but may provide functional guidance and task direction to interns or volunteers as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment with regular use of telephones, computers, printers, case-management systems, and other office equipment. The position involves frequent interaction with clients, staff, community partners, shelter providers, landlords, and service agencies, and may include frequent walk-ins, urgent client needs, case conferences, meetings, and appointments in the community. The position may be required to respond to or support off-hour emergency situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work is primarily office-based, requiring regular computer use and the ability to access, input, and retrieve information electronically. The position requires frequent communication in person and by telephone; close visual attention when reviewing case records, applications, documentation, and reports; and the ability to travel throughout Cambridge for meetings, appointments, home visits, and housing-related activities. The position may require occasional standing, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting or carrying materials weighing at least 10 pounds.

The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrou