ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW: At Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, your knowledge and service in areas such as immigrants and refugees, mental health, social work, employment and adult education, legal and financial services, health care, food assistance, shelter and housing, developmental disabilities and prison outreach can make a profound difference in the lives of many. Through more than 50 programs across the district and five surrounding counties, Catholic Charities is opening doors to help and hope. At CCADW, we continue to build an inclusive culture that celebrates a diverse workforce. We offer so much more than just a job. We offer careers. We take pride in our “promote from within” culture. We offer professional development, a comprehensive benefits package, a hybrid work model with both remote and in-office work, and a passion for building and motivating world class, high performing teams. Explore your career opportunity with Catholic Charities. Join us in Inspiring Hope and Building Futures.
Our Benefits:
- Medical, prescriptions, dental and vision insurance
- Retirement savings plan with company match
- Company-paid and supplemental life insurance
- Flexible spending accounts
- Paid vacation, sick and personal leave
- 11 paid holidays
- Professional development and training
- Tuition reimbursement
- Employee referral bonus program
- Flexible work arrangements
- Clinical supervision for licensed social workers and counselors
JOB SUMMARY: The Service Navigator completes in-person shelter intakes, and related assessments and screening procedures for new shelter guests and those needing annual updates. This position reviews program rules, and client rights and responsibilities and other legal forms with shelter guest and enters data into various databases in a timely and accurate manner in accordance with contract, department and agency requirements and expectations. This position is responsible for the proper handling, data entry and storage of confidential and sensitive information for assigned program(s).
*Work is performed in a homeless shelter facility that operates 24/7.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Conducts initial in-person intake interviews onsite at shelter with persons experiencing homelessness.
- Lead crisis management and intervention onsite during assigned shift. Complete accurate and timely unusual incident reports and other related documentation.
- Assists and educates newly referred clients with the intake process including the application and orientation to the program.
- Register new and existing clients using the Homeless Management Information System Database and utilize other required database(s) as necessary.
- Assess service needs of shelter guests, provide community resource information and triage appropriate level of care referrals for onsite or community placements.
- Conduct housing needs assessments (e.g., VISPDAT or SPDAT), suicide and/or safety assessments.
- Complete reasonable accommodation requests with shelter guests and coordinate implementation with shelter operations and social services teams onsite.
- Provide one-time service linkages or referrals for internal or external resources.
- Document all shelter guest service transactions in HMIS immediately in real-time.
- Be knowledgeable and proactive in connecting clients with a variety of social service resources including Housing Navigation, Health Care, Recovery Care, Higher Education, Financial Assistance, and Supportive Employment.
- Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and coordinate with operational and
social services teams onsite as required.
- Respond to internal data inquiries and external partners in a timely manner.
- Perform all other job-related duties as assigned.
EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field required.
- Social work degrees, social work licensure in the appropriate jurisdiction is required.
- Professional counseling degrees, professional counseling licensure in appropriate jurisdiction is required.
- A minimum of one year’s experience working with at risk clients in a direct service setting required and providing crisis intervention services.
- Minimum of two years’ experience working with clients who have a history of homelessness, and/or clients with addiction and mental health diagnoses.
- Experience providing direct service to a highly vulnerable population in a similar setting may substitute for a bachelor's degree.
SKILLS and COMPETENCIES:
- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships. Ability to operate job-related equipment, including Microsoft Office 365 programs and systems, to effectively carry out the position's duties. Proficiency in using HMIS database, MS Word, Excel, Outlook and other related software.
- Experience working with highly vulnerable populations. Attention to details.
- Excellent customer service skills.
