Case Manager

Unit: Scattered Site Housing

Reports to: Program Director

Status: Full Time; Regular; Non-Exempt

Salary Range: $32.97 - $35.72 per hour (Approximately $60,000 to $65,000 Annually)       

Location: 625 West 140th Street

Days/Hours: Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm

This position is represented by OPEIU Local 153

Organization Overview:

The Fortune Society, Inc. (Fortune) has been working for over 57 years in service to our mission: to support successful reentry from incarceration and promote alternatives to incarceration, thus strengthening the fabric of our communities. The organization has evolved into one of the nation’s preeminent reentry and justice-informed service organizations, providing formerly incarcerated people with the skills and wrap-around services needed to break the cycle of crime and incarceration and to build productive lives in their communities. 

Fortune has grown steadily over the years to an agency with close to $90 million in annual budget with just under 600 staff. We anticipate that we will keep growing, both in size and depth of service. Fortune has a dual mission: both advocacy and service. The advocacy portion of our mission focuses on building a more just criminal legal system and reducing the barriers to reentry into society. The service side of Fortune has evolved to encompass a broad range of programs that started with employment and education and now includes a robust array of services, among them: alternatives to incarceration, supervised release, court advocacy, discharge planning within correctional facilities, licensed substance use and mental health treatment, a housing continuum ranging from emergency and transitional through permanent congregate and scattered site housing, assistance in obtaining benefits, a care management unit, HIV services, a food and nutrition program, and an arts program. Each service we provide is informed by the needs of the population we serve. Fortune currently serves approximately 14,000 people a year. Our program models are recognized, both nationally and internationally, for their quality and innovation. We have locations in Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens. 

Position Summary:

The Fortune Society – Scattered Site Housing Program is located in Harlem and is a supportive housing program serving participants who have experiences with homelessness and justice involvement.  Our participants have also been diagnosed with Mental Health and/or Substance Disorders. The Senior Case Manager will help the Program Director with overseeing programmatic operations.  This role will ensure development and implementation of administrative controls, goal visibility and program compliance measurements. Additionally, the Senior Case Manager will act as a liaison for the organization to foster agency growth, and ensuring alignment with overall agency mission and standard. 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The responsibilities and requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensing, experience and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable intervals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. 

Core Competencies:

Mission and Fit

Embodies Fortune’s mission and fit, and will be an effective member of the team in furthering both. The candidate should exhibit compassion and understanding for our participants (wherever they are in their re-entry process) and embrace Fortune’s core value that none of us should be measured against the worst things we have done.

Social Awareness & Adaptability

The candidate must have a history of working with a population who have been diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI) and co-occurring disorders. In addition, the person must be able interact and work with individuals impacted by the justice system and have a history of homelessness. Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment.

Communication

The candidate must have the ability to be proactive, work cohesively and network with others, contribute to discussions and be solution oriented. Ability to communicate effectively in written and oral communication.

Summary

Under the supervision of the Program Director the Senior Case Manager ensures that case management services for the program are rendered as expected by our funder’s scope of services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct intake interviews and needs assessments on newly released individuals and client eligible for housing services;
• Provide case management to participants after housing placement, supporting them in adjusting to housing and building long-term connections to community services.
• Conduct home visits and Individual Counseling Sessions
• Formulate individualized service plans and quarterly reviews for each client. Document all client services rendered into the database, including successful and unsuccessful outreach attempts;
• Conduct crisis intervention with clients, as needed;
• Complete internal/external referrals linking participants to mental/physical health, housing, substance recovery, and other services based on initial intakes and assessments.
• Assess clients need for temporary rental subsidy and furniture/moving allowance;
• Collaborate with Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), Department of Homeless services (DHS), and Human Resources Administration (HRA) to assure clients receive entitlements in a timely manner;
• Assist clients in obtaining all necessary documentation to facilitate benefits application process.  Complete and submit clients’ application to appropriate benefits provider agency (e.g., HRA, Social Security);
• Act as a liaison to representatives of benefits administrations;
• Act as liaison between client and landlord to mediate any landlord-tenant issues and
• Provide ongoing counseling, supportive services needed to achieve goals stated in client treatment

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s Degree is preferred or HS diploma; with 2 years of experience in a similar setting. At least one year of experience dealing with, substance abuse and/or criminal justice issues.
• Possess strong follow-up, organizational and leadership skills
• Possess strong verbal and writing skills
• Experience using Microsoft Word computer applications
• Able to encourage disenfranchised populations to seek and obtain needed social services
• Possess valid driver’s license and proven driving ability as demonstrated by previous driving record
• Ability to apply metrics to review work performance towards funding goals. Knowledge of how to use data to inform program needs.
• Experience with case management documentation. Demonstrated ability to detect staff needs based on monthly document review.

• Preparation with program audits.  Proven record of leading team performance towards successful program goals.
• Experience with databases for entering client information,
• Strong oral and written communications skills required. Experience completing program contract and staff corrective action plans.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

We seek talented, dedicated individuals from all walks of life who possess a strong commitment to this mission.  Relevant personal experience is a plus.

Travel Requirements: This position requires weekly on-site availability and travel to program locations as required. On-call responsibility for emergencies and coverage.

Physical Demands:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The responsibilities and requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensing, experience and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

The Fortune Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of conviction history, race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status or marital status.