Referral & Case Management Specialist

Caritas of Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 47,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

PTO & holidays

Retirement plan

Mileage reimbursement

Phone stipend

Parking

PSLF eligibility

Job summary

Caritas of Austin is seeking a Referral & Case Management Specialist in Austin, TX. This full-time, grant-funded role coordinates client intakes, assesses eligibility, and provides ongoing case management to promote housing stability and self-sufficiency.

The specialist serves as the first point of contact, links clients to internal and external resources, and maintains timely documentation in HMIS. The position requires a Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) and at least one year of

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; social work/public health/counseling or related fields preferred.
• Master’s degree in social work, psychology, public health or related field preferred.
• Minimum one year of experience with low-income, diverse populations in a social service setting.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate client intakes and assess eligibility for services.
• Maintain HMIS case notes and documentation in a timely manner.
• Develop individualized housing service plans and assist with housing identification.
• Collaborate with community partners to connect clients to housing and employment resources.

Skills

Client services

HMIS experience

Microsoft Excel

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

Bachelor's degree required

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Service Point

HMIS

Job description

At Caritas of Austin, every role contributes to ending homelessness in our community. Explore our open positions below and find where your skills can make a difference.

Position: Referral & Case Management Specialist

Location: Austin, TX

Job Id: 671

# of Openings: 1

Job Title: Referral & Case Management Specialist
Program: Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)

Reports To: SSVF Program Manager
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt/Hourly

Position Summary

This is a full-time grant funded position and is contingent upon renewal of the grant. The Referral and Case Management Specialist is responsible for coordinating client intakes, assessing eligibility for services, and providing ongoing case management support. This position serves as the first point of contact for individuals seeking assistance, ensuring timely connection to appropriate internal and external resources. The Specialist plays a key role in maintaining smooth referral processes, supporting client stabilization, and promoting self-sufficiency through individualized service planning.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities (inclusive but not exhaustive)

Client Services

• Consistently interact with clients using a person-centered and Strength’s based approach while maintaining professional boundaries in keeping with Caritas policies and procedures.
• Works with clients to create individualized service plans and assist in meeting goals.
• Helps to coordinate mental health and substance use treatment appointments.
• Enters case notes in HMIS in a timely manner in keeping with policy.
• Participates in filing and case reviews.
• Collaborate with community partners to identify families and/or individuals who are experiencing homelessness (or at-risk of homelessness).
• Conduct screenings and determine if families or individuals meet program eligibility requirements.
• Assist in housing identification, applications, move-ins, and housing sustainability.
• Communicate professionally and effectively with property managers to maintain strong partnerships.
• Meet regularly with clients to assess needs, and ensure quality outcomes in a supportive, timely, and empathetic manner.
• Ensure that clients are safe and linked to appropriate resources following any crises.
• Facilitate and coordinate access to mental health, substance use, and physical health services.
• Develop and monitor individual housing services plans with a general goal of housing stability.
• Once the client is housed, 50% or more of meetings will be held within the client’s home or in a community space.
• Transport clients to agencies and services, as needed.
• Provide crisis intervention, as needed.
• Coordinate Intakes
• Assist with determining eligibility
• Work with Caritas of Austin’s Community Housing Specialists and community housing programs/property managers to identify and secure safe, affordable housing for clients as needed.
• Build relationships with other service providers that serve the target populations.
• As appropriate, work collaboratively with Caritas of Austin’s Employment Specialists to link clients to employment. Research and stay informed about other local employment resources.
• As appropriate, work collaboratively with Caritas of Austin’s Education Specialists to link clients to education programs. Research and stay informed about other educational resources.
• Attend program collaboration meetings and training sessions, internally and externally, as requested by the supervisor.
• Be present and active in community-wide activities, meetings, and events.

Client Data and Record Keeping

• Manage case data by entering it in a timely manner into Service Point, the database utilized by Caritas of Austin for the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
• Regularly prepare and maintain accurate records and reports, following the Caritas of Austin’s Housing Services Department Documentation Guidelines.

Organizational Support Functions

• Work cooperatively with all components of Caritas of Austin services.
• Engage in appropriate teamwork functions to provide a professional work environment and effective service delivery.
• Work with supervisors to create and implement a professional development plan.
• Attend Caritas of Austin staff meetings, Programs Department meetings and other meetings and training sessions as required.
• Treat staff, clients, customers, visitors and the general public with courtesy and respect.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Required: Bachelor’s degree from accredited college or university. A degree in social work, public health, counseling, or other related fields in human services preferred
• Preferred: Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university. A degree in social work, psychology, public health, counseling, or other related fields in human services.

Experience

• Required – Minimum one year of experience working directly with low-income, diverse and underserved populations in a social service agency.
• Highly Preferred – Past work in housing programs or community housing or with people experiencing homelessness; experience working with people with mental health disorders; experience with Crisis Intervention.

Computer Skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, internet navigation and database applications. Experience with HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) is preferred.

Language Skills

• Preferred – Bilingual proficiency (English and Spanish or other language)

Other Requirement(s)

• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid Texas driver’s license within 30 days of employment.

Work Schedule

• Regular – Normal work hours and days assigned based on a work week of 40 hours.

Salary/Benefits

• Base Salary Range: $46,856 - $54,322, with final offer based on education and experience.
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, including one medical plan fully paid by Caritas of Austin for employee-only coverage, with additional plan options available.
• Time Off: 20 days of PTO in year one (increasing with tenure) and 14 paid holidays.
• Retirement: 403(b) retirement plan with employer match.
• Additional Perks: Mileage reimbursement, monthly phone stipend, discounted memberships (e.g., LegalShield), and parking for employees working from the downtown location (if applicable).
• Student Loan Forgiveness: Caritas of Austin is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Learn more: https://studentaid.gov/pslf/

Caritas of Austin is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.