Youth Shelter Case Manager: Housing Navigation & Trauma-Informed Support

Volunteers of America, Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Volunteers of America, Utah is seeking a Shelter Case Manager to deliver housing-focused, trauma-informed case management to youth accessing the Youth Resource Center.

You will handle shelter intakes, coordinate housing navigation, and connect youth with internal and community resources to help achieve safe, stable housing.

This on-site role requires collaboration with a team, strong boundaries, and dependable attendance to support youth experiencing homelessness.

Qualifications

• Experience with housing-focused, trauma-informed, youth-centered practices.
• Two years in social services preferred.
• Must qualify and pass Utah DHS Case Management Certification within 60 days.
• Uphold professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Willingness to work collaboratively in a team.
• Able to interact with youth for extended periods.

Responsibilities

• Complete shelter intakes and required assessments for Youth Resource Center.
• Maintain a caseload and provide coverage and case management.
• Meet clients regularly and maintain accessible office hours.
• Support housing navigation and placement activities.
• Provide referrals to housing, benefits, employment, education, and behavioral health services.
• Document intakes, case notes, and outcomes in HMIS.
• Maintain confidentiality and handling of sensitive information.
• Use agency vehicles to transport clients to appointments.
• Attend supervision and required meetings.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Motivational Interviewing

Client advocacy

Team collaboration

Driver's license

Education

Degree in social services or related field

Utah Case Management Certification within 60 days

Job description

Description

Schedule: Full time, benefits-eligible! Monday through Friday 8am-5pm but will require flexibility based on client and program needs.

Benefits

• Low-cost medical, dental, and vision coverage. Health savings account. 403b retirement plan with employer match (50% match up to 3%).
• Employee Assistance Program for all employees
• 33 paid days off: 11 observed paid holidays, 12 sick days, and 10 vacation days to start. Vacation increases to 12 days after 1 year, 15 days after 2 years, and more at 5 and 9 years of service.
  • Sick and vacation time accrue hourly per pay period.
• $50,000 in employer-paid life insurance; additional coverage available.
• $1,200 annual employer contribution to your Health Savings Account (paid quarterly).
• Employee Referral Program including cash bonuses and paid time off.

Mission Statement

Volunteers of America, Utah provides community-supported paths for those who are vulnerable to improve their lives and increase their self-reliance. In alignment with our mission, VOA Utah encourages individuals with lived experience to apply. We recognize that a person’s life experiences can provide firsthand knowledge relevant to being successful in the work that we do.

Program Mission

To recognize and meet the distinctive needs of youth ages 18-24 who are experiencing homelessness by providing stable housing, mental health care, case management, life skills training, and connection to community services and resources with the ultimate goal of assisting all clients in obtaining and sustaining safe and stable housing.

Position Summary:

The Shelter Case Manager provides housing-focused, trauma-informed case management to youth accessing the Youth Resource Center. This role completes shelter intakes and diversion/problem-solving conversations, supports youth in identifying housing goals and addressing barriers, connects youth to internal and community resources, and assists with housing navigation and applications. Shelter Case Managers work as a team and share responsibility for supporting youth accessing shelter and drop-in a service.

Essential Duties

• Complete shelter intakes, diversion/problem-solving conversations, and required intake assessments and documentation for youth accessing Youth Resource Center services.
• Maintain an assigned caseload while working as part of the Shelter Case Management team; provide coverage, follow-up, and case management support to all youth accessing services.
• Meet regularly with clients and maintain accessible, visible case management availability within the shelter through scheduled office hours, outreach, and follow-up.
• Support clients through housing navigation and placement activities, including obtaining vital documents, identifying housing options, completing applications, requesting available application or move-in assistance, communicating with housing providers, and helping coordinate housing-related appointments.
• Provide referrals and connections to appropriate internal and community resources based on each client’s needs, including housing, benefits, employment and education, behavioral health, medical care, and other supportive services.
• Complete required assessments and screening tools, identify urgent or higher-acuity needs, and coordinate appropriate services and referrals in consultation with the client and YRC team.
• Participate in clinical case review, case staffing, and other team-based coordination to support consistent service planning and appropriate referrals.
• Provide trauma-informed crisis intervention, de-escalation, creative problem-solving, and immediate response to safety concerns or disturbances in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
• Complete timely, accurate, and objective documentation of intakes, diversion efforts, case management contacts, referrals, service plans, exits, and outcomes in HMIS and other required agency systems.
• Maintain professional boundaries, client confidentiality, and appropriate handling of protected and sensitive information.
• Use agency vehicles to provide client transportation and support youth with appointments, housing-related activities, and other approved service needs.
• Maintain current knowledge of community resources and develop effective working relationships with internal programs, housing providers, and community partners.
• Attend required supervision, staff meetings, trainings, clinical meetings, and other meetings as assigned.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance and an on-site presence consistent with shelter operations and the needs of youth being served.
• Participate in program quality improvement, data collection, special projects, and other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Secondary Duties

• Work effectively, respectfully, and ethically with a diverse group of clients, co-workers, volunteers, partners, and members of the public.
• Comply with the Volunteers of America, Utah Code of Ethics and all agency policies and procedures.
• Use sound judgment and seek supervision or additional support when situations exceed the scope of the position or require management involvement.
• Remain calm and respond appropriately during crises, conflict, and other high-stress situations.
• Proactively expand knowledge of community resources, youth homelessness, housing systems, and effective case management practices.
• Participate in training and professional development required for the position.

Requirements

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

The requirements below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Familiarity with housing-focused, trauma-informed, youth-centered practices and Motivational Interviewing, with willingness to incorporate these approaches into daily work.
• A degree in the field of social services or two years of experience working in the social services field preferred.
• Must be able to qualify and pass Utah Department of Human Services Case Management Certification within 60 days of being hired.
• Ability to uphold professional boundaries, confidentiality requirements, agency policies and procedures, and interact professionally with a diverse workforce, clients, and the public.
• Ability to use trauma-informed practices, exercise sound judgment within the scope of position responsibilities, and seek supervision for major or complex situations.
• Willingness to accept supervision, feedback, and direction and to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Ability to move throughout the facility and interact with clients for extended periods.
• Must be at least 21 years of age, possess a current driver’s license, have a good driving record, and be insurable on the agency liability policy.
• Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs.