Case Management Specialist, Harvard Square Homeless Shelter (Part Time)

Organization Overview

Since 1983, the Phillips Brooks House Association’s Harvard Square Homeless Shelter (HSHS) has provided seasonal emergency shelter and respite for men and women in the basement of Cambridge’s University Lutheran Church. The shelter is entirely run by Harvard University undergraduate students under the oversight of the Phillips Brooks House Association (PBHA), which engages students in community service and social justice activism, in addition to providing shelter staff with professional and operational support. HSHS aims to provide guests with shelter, food, security, and a supportive environment of mutual respect. In addition to providing these fundamental needs, we work individually with those who seek our assistance as they strive to attain their own goals and make the transition into permanent housing.

The operating hours of the shelter are 7:00pm-8:00am nightly, though many of the functions of this role will occur outside of these operating hours. Specific timings will be determined by the availability of the chosen candidate.

II. Position Information

Title: Case Management Specialist

Hours: 14 hours per week 

Training Date(s): Mid-October 2023

Shelter Dates: Winter Season - November 1-April 15; Summer Season - approximately June 10-August 10

Location: 3-6 hours per week will be spent in the shelter at 66 Winthrop Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 during evening hours. The remaining time will be remote work.

Compensation: $27-$30/hour 

III. Position Department

Reports to Kit Carroll (Director of Programs)

IV. Duties and Responsibilities

In sub-categories, with % time/effort indicated

• Coaching, mentorship, and support of undergraduate student staff (40%)
• Resource and strategy development (30%)
• Direct consultation with clients (30%)

Overview:

The Phillips Brooks House Association (PBHA) is seeking a part-time Case Management Specialist (CMS) to support student staff members at Harvard Square Homeless Shelter (HSHS) in the case management of approximately 15-20 clients before, during, and after our winter season, which runs from November 1st - April 15th. In addition to supplementing the shelter’s direct service capabilities, the CMS will also consistently work to improve the short and long-term status of the guest services program through behind-the-scenes resource development and providing expanded service capability to guests directly. 

• Prior to the opening of the season, the CMS will support student staff in ensuring that case management resources and protocols are prepared. These resources and protocols will cover a range of topics relevant to a client’s self-sufficiency and well-being, such as healthcare, housing, income/benefits, mental health, substance use, legal, and vocational services.
• At the beginning of each guest’s stay, the CMS will discuss the findings from the intake assessments conducted by student staffers and create individual plans for each guest.
• These plans will frequently focus on the steps of the subsidized housing process, which may include filing applications, keeping track of applications, helping clients obtain documentation such as an ID, and connecting the client with resources for an apartment search.
• Throughout the season, the CMS will stay up-to-date on the progress of each guest through weekly conferences with student staff, who will be meeting regularly with clients in the shelter space. 
• Approximately 6 hours per week will be spent in the shelter space during shelter operating hours to assist student staff with conferencing and meeting individually with clients when necessary.
• The CMS will also contribute to the shelter’s long-term development by participating in relevant aspects of staff and volunteer training, conducting research, and fostering partnerships.
• The CMS will maintain thorough documentation of procedures, client encounters, and ongoing partnerships to preserve institutional memory.
• The CMS may provide expanded office hours to guests outside of shelter operating hours, which may include remote daytime office hours or accompanying clients to appointments as appropriate.
• At the close of the shelter season in April, the CMS will assist student staff in transitioning clients to alternative accommodation.

V. Qualifications

Minimum

• Working knowledge of Boston/Cambridge community resources primarily in the areas of housing, medical care (including mental health care), and governmental benefits/programs.
• Strong communication skills and willingness to work as part of a team.

Preferred

• Relevant work experience in housing navigation, case management, or related fields.
• Experience providing trauma-informed services.
• Experience working with unhoused populations and individuals facing chronic mental illness, substance use disorders and other medical concerns.
• Experience working in a shelter.
• Experience developing protocols and resources for housing navigation and/or case management.

This Case Management Specialist will serve in collaboration with student leaders. As such, they must possess strong commitment to social justice, knowledge of community issues and partners, and ability to collaborate with young leaders to lead a high quality program. Strong candidates will have experience in mentorship or coaching roles.

VI. Hiring Process

Please submit a resume and cover letter, detailing why you are qualified for and interested in the Case Management Specialist position, to Kit@pbha.org and hshs.info@gmail.com, including “Case Management Specialist” in the subject line. 

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Priority deadline is September 3rd, 2023 and interviews will take place September 11th-15th, 2023. 

Any questions can also be directed to Kit at Kit@pbha.org.