Next Step Case Manager, Congreso de Latinos Unidos

Posted by Congreso de Latinos Unidos on October 1, 2018

Position Summary

The Next Step program case manager assists participants in various areas including enrollment and intake, orientation and goal planning, setting benchmarks for individual progress, barrier removal, and providing ongoing coaching and support. This position is housed in the Education and Workforce Services Division at Congreso and reports to the Manager of the Next Step Program. Next Step is a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program for out-of-school youth between the ages of 17 and 24 who have obtained a secondary-school credential. The main tenets of the program include: Obtaining Industry-Recognized Credentials, Job-Skills Preparation and Work Experience Opportunities, as well as Academic and Empowerment Services. The Case Manager role is responsible for managing a caseload divided into the service phase (20-30 youth) and follow-up phase (approximately 50 youth).

Essential Functions

• Responsible for providing daily case management services to all participants on caseload, in accordance with Congreso’s Primary Client Model service delivery approach.
• Preparing participants to take ownership of their own development and planning for the future by developing a goal plan with the participant to determine benchmarks for achieving their goals.
• Responsible for supporting participants in securing career-oriented full-time employment or enrollment into a post-secondary training program.
• Provide follow-up supportive services for participants who have enrolled in post-secondary training or employment.
• Assess participants’ needs, identify resources, make referrals, follow-up, and document participant interactions in funder and internal databases.
• Responsible for ensuring participant makes the connection with the referred service, attending the initial appointment with them if needed.
• Responsible for working with the staff at the referred service(s) to track the participant’s attendance and engagement, intervene as appropriate, and track the client’s progress toward their goals using a series of standard client outcome indicators.
• Strategize and implement methods to bolster participants’consistent engagement in the program and independently trouble-shoot irregularities.
• Secure documentation to substantiate the participant’s engagement in employment or post-secondary education. Documentation is to be obtained electronically or by visiting the participant’s home/employment/education site.
• Responsible for independently tracking his/her own caseload documentation and consistently maintaining accountability to the team and the team’s centralized data spreadsheet for all participants on caseload.
• Engage in data reconciliation meetings with Next Step staff on a regular basis.
• Implement, by instruction and action, the philosophy of education and career/life learning exploration.
• Forecast the educational and employment needs of each participant based on their interests and abilities.
• Report on each initial participant’s educational and social progress in detail through quarterly narratives and weekly meetings.
• Attend staff meetings, retreats, and participate in external and internal training sessions.
• Adhere to all case management requirements as determined by the funder.
• Attend and actively participate in all funder and agency required trainings.

Non-Essential Functions

1. Attend relevant workshops or join professional groups as necessary to maintain professional knowledge and licensure.

2. Adhere to the Congreso’s security guidelines and ensures the appropriate handling of sensitive information.

3. Facilitate and attend relevant staff meetings to promote communication and execution of goals.

4. Complete special projects specific to the function of the department or as needed for the department as directed by Supervisor.

5. Other duties as assigned within the scope of position expectations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Career Pathway: Direct Services)

All Staff Competencies

• Basic understanding of Congreso’s mission, vision, values, programs, services, and business plan.
• Knowledge and understanding of the targeted community needs and demographics.
• Understanding of legal criteria for issues such as confidentiality, domestic abuse, child abuse, and mandated reporter requirements.
• Ability to provide nonviolent intervention with a high level of ethical standards of conduct, cultural sensitivity and within appropriate boundaries and limits.
• Ability to effectively use standard office equipment.
• Possesses strong interpersonal skills as demonstrated by compassionate, courteous, cordial, cooperative, and professional interaction with diverse groups of co-workers, external business partners, and the community.
• Ability to operate a computer and use a variety of common software programs including Microsoft Office, spreadsheets, UNIDAD, and customized databases.
• Adheres to all Congreso and departmental policies and procedures.
• Attends all Congreso in-services as required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and effectively communicate with individuals and groups.
• Direct Services Staff Competencies
• Ability to independently track and report on case load numbers as well as strategize solutions to participant issues and related documentation needs.
• Knowledge of legal and political issues, and community resources and benefits that impact and/or benefit the targeted participant needs.
• Knowledge of basic participant management procedures (PCM Model) for determining eligibility, assessing needs, identifying resources, making referrals, following up, and documenting client interactions and proactively supporting participant’s pursuit of education and employment goals throughout the agency.
• Demonstrates understanding and knowledge of the Latino culture and availability of North Philadelphia community resources.
• Ability to effectively interview and engage a participant in appropriate programming.
• Ability to effectively conduct one on one advocacy and/or educational presentations.
• Ability to work in a team structure – demonstrating ability to collaborate and contribute to the team’s work.

Experience, Education, and Licensure

Minimum Experience: Three years case management experience in providing supportive services in a community setting. Experience working with TANF recipients preferred. Knowledge of the Eastern North Philadelphia community and resources within the community and in the city at large. Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required.

Minimum Education: Associate’s Degree in Social Work or in a related field, Bachelor’s Degree Preferred.

Certification/License: N/A

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will frequently stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or equipment; reach with hands and arms; balance; talk or hear. The employee will occasionally climb stairs; stoop; kneel; crouch or crawl; taste or smell.

2. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

3. Operate related office equipment and use necessary tools.

4. Specific vision abilities required by the job include frequent reading and close vision; distance vision; color vision; peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

2. Although work is primarily indoors, you will be required to travel outside to participant and community locations.

3. Position may require occasional trips to attend conferences seminars, and meetings.

4. Certain visits or work related appointments might be scheduled outside of traditional work hours as necessary.

Congreso is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Congreso is strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all employees and all applicants for employment. All employment decisions at Congreso are made without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability or military/veteran status, or any other protected class as set forth under applicable State, Local and Federal Civil Rights Laws.

About Congreso

Congreso is a multi-service nonprofit organization whose mission enables individuals and families in predominantly Latino neighborhoods to achieve economic self-sufficiency and wellbeing. Founded in Philadelphia in 1977, Congreso has grown into a national thought leader on nonprofit performance management with an expert focus on the Latino community. Congreso is anchored by its innovative Primary Client Model (PCM™), and provides direct services to residents of the Philadelphia region while providing consult to other nonprofits and government systems nationally.

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