As a North Carolina Case Management team member, you will connect disaster survivors to vital resources needed to help bring them back to a new normal. The successful case manager brings a passion for service, empathy for those who have suffered a major loss, focus on organizing and conveying vital information, strong communication, and calm to chaos. We are looking for leaders, problem-solvers, and creative individuals who want to serve our clients while innovating and pushing the envelope of change to transform the discipline of emergency management.
The Disaster Case Manager serves as a primary point of contact, assisting the Client in coordinating necessary services and resources to address the Client’s complex disaster recovery needs to re-establish normalcy. The Client must and should play an active or lead role in their recovery. The Disaster Case Manager reports to the Director of Community Services.
Qualifications / Skills / Knowledge:
§ Completion of a disaster recovery case management specific curriculum;
§ Safety screening as evidenced by a Background Check by local law enforcement
§ Able to maintain ethical conduct in accordance with organizational policy;
§ Conduct business in a manner consistent with the mission, values, and policies of the organization;
§ Able to maintain high standards for protecting client information, sharing confidential information only as agreed upon by the Client and as evidenced by a signed release form;
§ Able to work calmly and effectively to resolve conflicts in sensitive situations; able to work collaboratively with others;
§ Computer literate, able to utilize word processing, database, and spreadsheet software, demonstrate an ability to learn new and/or customized software;
§ Must be able to communicate with others;
§ Must be able to travel across the State to meet the needs of survivors.
§ Be organized and prepared for reports, meetings, briefings, and conversations with clients, staff, and external partners;
§ Able to work without close supervision on assigned duties and be willing to seek and accept supervision as needed;
§ Unquestioned confidentiality with sensitive financial and personal information;
§ Possess no outside interest that may conflict with the organization’s goals and objectives;
§ Demonstrate helpful inter-personal skills, such as:
o Genuine care and respect for individuals, families, and communities served;
o Effective listening and interviewing skills;
o Cultural and linguistic competence relative to the population served;
o Ability to document or to access an alternate method for documenting in the client record;
o Ability to recognize and draw upon client strengths;
o Sensitivity to the needs of individuals and families in crisis;
o Awareness of the impact of the disaster on the community, the family, and the individual;
o Interest in exploring options with clients, with respect for their autonomy;
o Ability to maintain appropriate services boundaries; and
o Self-awareness.
Essential Functions:
§ Perform outreach to identify vulnerable persons in need of services and referrals;
§ Screen applicants promptly and responsively to identify the urgency of need and direct individuals to appropriate services, providing accurate and timely information and referral;
§ Perform intake interviews via phone and /or in person, linking survivors to resources for urgent needs;
§ Conduct comprehensive, individualized, strengths-based, and culturally-responsive assessments of each Client’s disaster recovery needs and available resources;
§ Engage each Client to cooperatively participate in the development, implementation, and ongoing review of an individualized disaster recovery plan;
§ Empower the disaster survivor to effectively access the resources available in accordance with the sequence of assistance for disaster recovery;
§ Provide, refer, or otherwise arrange for individuals and families to receive needed services and resources identified in the recovery plan through the following actions:
o Assist in the restoration of pre-disaster social service benefits for qualified individuals;
o Verify unmet needs by obtaining records and/or contacting vendors;
o Network with other organizations to guide the Client through the sequence of delivery services without duplication of benefits and services;
o Advocate with and for clients by activities including, but not limited to:
§Preparing for and making case presentations on behalf of the Client;
§Actively participating in long-term recovery groups where such exists; and
§Providing support and advocacy with governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations when necessary.
§ Monitor client progress toward recovery goals;
§ Document using standardized forms and enter the relevant information into the client registry in a timely manner;
§ Provide continuity of client services through case transfer or case closure.
Requirements
Education and/or Experience:
A high school diploma is required. A Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university is a bonus with three or more years of progressive experience in the field of human services or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge of effective human service strategies and techniques; strong knowledge of local, state and national social service policies, procedures, and providers a plus.
Candidates who are bilingual (Spanish, Chinese/Mandarin) are a significant plus.
