Case Manager -- CASAC / CTI / Behavioral Specialist

Position Summary

Practice of Peace Foundation (“POP” or “the Organization”) is a New York City-based nonprofit corporation operating shelter sites and a community resource room across the Bronx and Queens in service of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The Organization integrates transitional housing with mental health services delivered through the principles of the Health Realization Approach. The Case Manager works collaboratively with Social Workers and the social-services team to provide comprehensive support to residents facing challenges in housing, employment, education, and health. This role involves counseling clients, assessing their needs, and guiding them toward achieving self-sufficiency and personal development through the Health Realization Approach.

This position operates within a DHS-funded shelter environment and is governed by DHS Case Management Guidelines, 18 NYCRR Part 491 and/or Part 900 as applicable, and all other applicable laws and POP policy.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

The following duties are essential functions of the position within the meaning of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the New York State and New York City Human Rights Laws. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions, except where doing so would impose an undue hardship on the Organization. The list below is representative and is not intended to be exhaustive.

Assessment & Case Management

• Interview clients via screening/intake procedures to obtain information about problems, needs, housing, mental health and substance use, medical needs, employment history, and educational background, and to identify barriers to employment and self-sufficiency.
• Provide case-management activities, advocacy, referrals, and counseling, and assist clients in developing and completing their Independent Living Plans (ILPs).
• Conduct consistent follow-up interviews with clients to determine if their needs have been met.
• Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation using trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain appropriate and timely documentation, progress notes, and screening/assessment tools in DHS CARES.
• Complete caseload updates, data collection, and submission of activity reports and programmatic evaluations (e.g., client-satisfaction surveys).
• Establish and enforce behavioral rules and procedures to maintain order among clients.
• Attend staff meetings, case conferences, professional meetings, and trainings, including the Health Realization Approach.
• Carry a caseload of clients; the number depends on programmatic and DHS contract needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Case Manager Supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must satisfy the qualifications set forth below. POP reserves the right to determine, in its sole discretion, whether a candidate’s education, credentials, and experience satisfy the requirements of this position.

Education & Experience

• Baccalaureate degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or a related field with two (2)+ years of direct-service experience; OR Associate degree in human services, business administration, or a related field with four (4)+ years of direct-service experience.
• CASAC (Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor) credentialing preferred.
• Knowledgeable with special-needs populations and casework/case-management methodologies.
• Skills & Competencies
• Ability to prioritize and successfully complete multiple tasks in a timely manner; attention to detail, organized, and efficient.
• Maturity, integrity, and sound judgment.
• Valid New York State driver’s license.
• Cultural and linguistic competence; Spanish or multilingual strongly preferred.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

This is an on-site position at the Freeman Residence Shelter, 999 Freeman Avenue, Bronx, NY 10459. The position is regularly scheduled Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; however, POP shelter sites operate twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week, and the schedule may include evenings, weekends, and holidays as operational needs require. The assigned work location, schedule, reporting relationships, and specific duties are subject to change in the sole discretion of the Organization in response to programmatic, funder, and operational needs, with or without prior notice.

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations will be considered in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws.

• Ability to sit and use a computer workstation for extended periods (up to six (6) hours per shift).
• Ability to traverse the shelter facility, including climbing stairs to access multiple floors.
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull up to twenty-five (25) pounds (e.g., supplies, donations, files).
• Ability to respond physically to crisis situations, including standing, walking, or moving rapidly through the facility as required.
• Ability to communicate clearly in person, by telephone, and in writing in English.
• Reasonable likelihood of exposure to a shelter environment serving individuals with complex behavioral health, substance use, and medical conditions, which may include occasional exposure to verbal conflict, emotional distress, or communicable illness. Use of universal precautions and personal protective equipment is required as appropriate.

Conditions of Employment

Employment in this position is contingent upon, and continued employment requires ongoing compliance with, the following:

• Pre-Employment Screening. Successful completion of a criminal background check, fingerprinting (in accordance with applicable DHS and New York State requirements), reference checks, and any other screening required by law or by POP’s funders.
• Successful Passing of Interview with DHS: The DHS office must interview and screen this position in addition to the Practice of Peace Foundation. Upon successful clearance from the DHS office, we can proceed with your employment.
• Child Welfare Clearance. For positions involving direct contact with children or with families with children, clearance through the New York Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR), pursuant to Section 424-a of the New York State Social Services Law.
• Work Authorization. Verification of identity and employment eligibility in accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act and the federal E-Verify program.
• Mandated Reporting. Pursuant to New York State Social Services Law §§ 413 and 473, the Site Director is a Mandated Reporter and shall report suspected child abuse or maltreatment to the Statewide Central Register, and suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of vulnerable adults to Adult Protective Services (APS), in accordance with applicable law and POP policy.
• Confidentiality. Strict maintenance of the confidentiality of all client, personnel, and proprietary information in accordance with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, New York Mental Hygiene Law, DHS confidentiality requirements, and POP’s Confidentiality Policy.
• Policy Compliance. Compliance with all POP policies and procedures, including without limitation the Conflict of Interest Policy, Code of Conduct, Anti-Harassment Policy, and all applicable federal, New York State, and New York City laws and regulations.
• Training. Timely completion of all DHS-mandated trainings (via the Absorb Learning Management System or successor system) and all POP-mandated trainings, including training in the Health Realization Approach.
• Credentials. Maintenance in good standing of any credential or license required for the position (any required management credential, if applicable), and prompt notification to POP of any change in credential or licensure status.

A failure to satisfy or maintain any of the foregoing conditions, or any material misrepresentation in connection with the application or employment process, may result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination of employment, subject to applicable law.

Compensation & Benefits

In accordance with New York State Labor Law § 194-b (Pay Transparency Law), the annual salary range for this position is $45,000 – $50,000, which is equivalent to approximately $21.63 – $24.04 / hour based on a 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, internal equity, and applicable program funding.

Eligible employees may participate in the following benefit programs, subject to plan eligibility requirements, applicable waiting periods, and the terms and conditions of the governing plan documents:

• Medical insurance, with multiple plan options
• Dental insurance, 100% employer-paid
• Vision insurance, 100% employer-paid
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contribution
• Paid Time Off (PTO), paid holidays, and sick and safe leave in accordance with applicable law
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The foregoing is a summary of available benefit programs and does not create any contractual right to any benefit. All benefit programs are governed by the applicable plan documents, summary plan descriptions, and Organization policies, which control in the event of any inconsistency with this summary. Practice of Peace Foundation reserves the right, in its sole discretion and consistent with applicable law,to modify, amend, suspend, or terminate any benefit program, in whole or in part, at any time and with or without notice.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Practice of Peace Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital or partnership status, caregiver or familial status, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), military or veteran status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, citizenship or immigration status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking, arrest or conviction record (consistent with applicable law), or any other characteristic protected by federal, New York State, or New York City law.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the New York State Human Rights Law, and the New York City Human Rights Law, the Organization provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of their position, except where doing so would impose an undue hardship. Applicants requiring accommodation during the application or interview process should contact Human Resources. Individuals from historically underrepresented communities, individuals with lived experience of homelessness or recovery, and individuals eligible for participation in the New York City 55-a Program are encouraged to apply.

General Provisions

• Nature of Job Description. This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by an individual assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, working conditions, or qualifications associated with the position, and is not a contract of employment or guarantee of employment for any specific term.
• Reservation of Rights. Practice of Peace Foundation reserves the right, in its sole discretion and consistent with applicable law, to modify, add to, or eliminate any of the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, work location, schedule, reporting relationships, compensation, or benefits described in this job description at any time, with or without prior notice, to meet the operational, programmatic, and contractual needs of the Organization.
• At-Will Employment; Funder Requirements; Governing Law. Employment with the Practice of Peace Foundation is at-will. Either the employee or the Organization may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause and with or without notice, subject to applicable law. No statement contained in this job description, in any employee handbook, or in any other Organization communication is intended to, nor shall it be construed to, alter the at-will nature of the employment relationship. This position is supported in whole or in part by government contracts and is subject to all applicable funder requirements, including those of the New York City Department of Homeless Services; continuation of the position is contingent on continued funding and contractual authorization. This job description and the employment relationship to which it relates shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict-of-laws principles.