Street-Level Caseworker

LOCATION: Hobbs, NM - Hobbs Corps & Community Center

STATUS: FT/40hrs/wk - Flex Schedule

MISSION STATEMENT: The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

SUMMARY: The Street Level Caseworker will provide Mobile Outreach, Relational Case Management and Community Navigating. The primary objective of this position is to walk alongside those experiencing homelessness to identify and overcome barriers and to connect them with resources in the community. They will work in concert with the Corps Officers to ensure that the Officers can provide pastoral care; bring outreach and engagement opportunities to the unsheltered in Hobbs. They will help facilitate and take part in mobile outreach and heat relief, participate in community networking events and meetings. The Street Outreach Caseworker will develop and maintain files related to programs, properties, and general matters. Managing and tracking financial assistance funds and resource inventories, collaborating with other departments and agencies to provide services or referrals to clients.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate degree in a Human Services related discipline (direct case management or experience may substitute for degree requirements on a 2:1 ratio).
• Experience working with clients in crisis, including the use of trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and de-escalation techniques.
• Must have some experience in a social service setting.
• Experience working with homeless individuals, at-risk veterans, and families preferred.
• Knowledge of the cycles that affect at-risk individuals and families, including those experiencing homelessness.
• Knowledge of community resources, particularly housing for low-income individuals.
• Knowledge of the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)/Wellsky.
• Experience with social service client intake in the field.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational, detail, and file management skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and treat everyone with dignity and respect.
• Ability to maintain a non-judgmental demeanor and professional boundaries with clients.
• Ability to work alone and as part of a team.
• Ability to handle crisis/emergency situations and utilize crisis intervention, crowd management, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to assist clients toward positive outcomes.
• Ability to be professional and courteous in keeping with Salvation Army standards of leadership.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse group of consumers, staff, and community partners.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher), email, Adobe Acrobat, and internet use.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.
• Demonstrated dependability, maturity, initiative, and a positive attitude.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Able to pass a criminal background check.
• Must successfully pass TSA fleet safety e-learning module provided by The Salvation Army.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain the mobile shower unit in a clean, orderly, and presentable condition at all times.
• Greet and assist clients, ensuring a welcoming, respectful, and safe environment.
• Inform clients about available assistance, program protocols, and limitations.
• Develop and maintain a regular outreach schedule to engage individuals experiencing homelessness in the Tempe community.
• Conduct initial assessments to determine each client's specific needs and appropriate next steps.
• Perform Coordinated Entry Interviews and accurately enter client data into HMIS/WellSky.
• Maintain and update a current list of service and referral partners within Tempe and surrounding areas; build and expand relationships with these agencies to ensure smooth handoffs and warm referrals.
• Thoroughly clean the shower unit, equipment, and surrounding areas before and after use.
• Stock, monitor, and report inventory levels of program supplies including hygiene kits, towels, clothing, and laundry items to the Program Manager.
• Collect, wash, dry, and fold towels and donated clothing items used in the program.
• Assist with the setup, driving, parking, and positioning of the mobile shower unit and towing vehicle, ensuring safe and proper operation.
• Collaborate with the social service team to track and report the distribution of goods and services.
• Perform other related duties as assigned in support of social service and outreach operations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. A qualified person with a disability may request a modification or adjustment to the job or work environment in order to meet the physical requirements of the position. The Salvation Army will attempt to satisfy requests as long as the accommodation needed is reasonable and no undue hardship would result.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and reach with hands and arms on a continuous basis. Ability to work in extremely hot summer weather and moderately cold temps in the winter. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 20 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to focus. The employee must have the ability to operate a telephone, desktop or laptop computer, as well as the ability to access and produce information from a computer, and to understand written information.