Housing Advocate Case Manager

Organization Background:
Briarpatch Youth Services has an exciting job opportunity for a skilled professional. The agency is a dynamic non-profit community organization that has served Dane County since 1971. Briarpatch provides a broad array of services to more than 2,000 youth annually who have runaway, are experiencing homelessness, are justice involved, or facing other challenges.

Days/Hours:
This is a full-time 40 hours per week position. Work hours will vary depending on program need, with most required hours being in the afternoon and evening. A small amount of weekend time each month is required.

Starting pay $21.50 per hour - dependent on professional experience, bilingual abilities, and education level. Please note, this is a grant funded position running from date of hire through 12/31/2026.

Duties
➔ Meet with program participants in home/in community on a regular basis
➔ Provide support and resources to empower participants to reach goals related to housing, employment and other self-identified needs
➔ Facilitate referrals to and from community organizations
➔ Regularly evaluate progress on case goals
➔ Provide mediation and advocacy with landlords on the client’s behalf to develop a workable plan to obtain and/or maintain housing; serve as an ongoing liaison between property managers, neighbors, and participants
➔ Attend regular positive youth development, trauma informed care, supervision, case management meetings, and relevant trainings
➔ Assist participants in locating and securing housing of their choice
➔ Assess housing strengths and barriers of participants experiencing homelessness to determine housing and service needs, and provide support in assessed areas
➔ Provide information and referral assistance regarding available support from appropriate social service agencies and/or community programs
➔ Apply knowledge of residential lease contracts to educate clients of their rights and responsibilities.
➔ Attend regular meetings with other service providers to share information and resources
➔ Work with colleagues from other agencies on joint projects as approved by supervisor
Reporting
➔ Note all client interactions in client files in a timely manner
➔ Record all hours on Time and Activity report
➔ Maintain case notes of participant meetings and record participant services in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
➔ Ensure program compliance with client documentation/reporting standards with agency policy/procedures
➔ Ensure confidentiality of all client records and information
➔ Report monthly, quarterly and annual statistics to appropriate funding sources
Competencies

➔ Teamwork orientation, detail-oriented, time management, client focus, good oral and written communication, flexibility, organizational skills, strong professional boundaries, cultural awareness, Housing First, Trauma Informed Care and Harm Reduction philosophy, ability to network and build relationships with various social service agencies and/or community programs.
Experience Qualifications:
➔ Those with Lived Experience of homelessness prioritized.
➔ A Social Work or related degree and/or previous experience working with people experiencing homelessness required.
➔ Experience engaging with a diverse population
➔ Computer experience, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel)
Additional Eligibility Qualifications
➔ Driver’s License - Must have and maintain a valid state driver’s license, maintain automobile insurance coverage and have access to an automobile, Or have the ability to obtain and maintain reliable transportation. May be required to use a personal vehicle to transport clients.
➔ Spanish speakers strongly encouraged to apply