The VetNet Program Manager / Case Manager reports directly to the Director, Career Success Institute. This position is part of a highly functioning team that assists veterans experiencing career obstacles, homelessness, and military-civilian transition. The Manager will ensure that the work of the VetNet program meets all grant requirements (HVRP and others), and that all Vet Net staff conduct in-depth needs assessment to identify the specific and unique services to be provided to individual clients. Working Wardrobes Vet Net staff are a premiere group of caseworkers that provide employment, wardrobing, and job placement services, and refer individuals to partner agencies that can assist with other barriers and needs that the veteran may be experiencing.
We’re looking for a person with military experience who can take the reins with grant and metrics reporting, case management, and high-level outreach events. This position oversees the work of two VeNet Case Managers, and the Vet Net Outreach Specialist. They will also provide case management to veteran clients.
Responsibilities include coaching, mentoring, guiding, and assisting clients in building their Individual Employment Plan in order to attain self-sufficiency. Essential duties also include education and training decisions as well as utilizing veteran benefits in this process.
This role will have direct client contact as well as responsibility for furthering the reputation and awareness of the VetNet program and Working Wardrobes so that we can serve even more individuals in our community. Primary duties will include:
A. DIRECT CLIENT SERVICES
1. Ensure client service delivery is performed according to the organization’s mission, policies, procedures, and service philosophy.
2. Assist Case Managers and Outreach Specialist as needed.
3. Coordinate and maintain designated caseload.
4. Demonstrates cultural and age-specific competencies in interactions with clients, co-workers and customers.
5. Completes special projects as assigned within designated time frames.
6. Maintain a professional attitude, confidentiality, and respect for cultural differences
7. Oversees own case load to include case management services for veteran clients from intake to discharge.
8. Assess employment resources and use information to develop IEP and success plans. Handle crisis and/or emergency situations as needed.
9. Communicate regularly with clients to determine IEP progress and provide coaching to continue moving the client toward self-sustainability.
10. Coordinate referrals both to and from Working Wardrobes.
11. Enroll clients in the POWER UP™ and other training programs, and help to maintain and update enrollments in the VetNet training and workshop calendar.
12. Develop strong and collaborative working relationships with support networks, government, and community resources.
B. PROGRAM SERVICES
1. Ensure compliance with all licensing, contractual, Federal, State, and Local regulations, requirements, and grant funding.
2. Ensure all necessary organizational reports and documentation are completed in a timely manner.
3. Assist in development and coordination of special assignments and programs.
4. Develop strong and collaborative working relationships with support networks, government, and community resources.
5. Attend military events on behalf of Working Wardrobes in an effort to grow our client base and create beneficial relationships that will expand our programs.
6. Lead day one of the organization’s Power Up! class, designed to bridge the transition from the military life to the civilian world.
7. Assist in program evaluation.
8. Cultivate relationships with new and existing partners that provide services to veterans struggling to achieve sustainability (including homeless vets).
C. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
1. Report grant-related data to the Director, CSI on a timely and regular basis in order to assure compliance based on Memorandums of Agreements (MOUs) with organization partners.
2. Conducts comprehensive file reviews and assessment of data collected to assure all necessary documentation has been collected and properly filed by case managers for compliance purposes.
3. Oversees caseload of other VetNet Case Managers, and coordinates work assignments for seamless flow and reporting.
4. Participate in meetings, required trainings and other programs as requested.
D. Other Duties as Assigned
Keys to Success
A. To excel in this role, you will need to exercise flexibility in the face of numerous ad-hoc requests and demonstrate an ability to prioritize and reprioritize on a moment’s notice to serve clients with differing needs.
B. Thorough attention to detail is required as you will collaborate with partner agencies to meet the goals of all grants, with a goal of stable employment and job retention leading to permanent housing for our clients.
C. An engaged and kind client focus is required to ensure that we have adequate numbers of prospective clients to meet our grant metrics and ensure we are serving the veteran population with all the services Working Wardrobes can provide.
D. The right candidate must embrace diversity as they will be working with people of different ages from many different backgrounds. Our selected candidate must respect the variety of backgrounds that they will encounter in their client base.
If this sounds like the right environment and opportunity for you, we look forward to hearing from you!
Professional Requirements:
* Retired or recently separated military veteran with discharge other than dishonorable.
* Valid California Driver’s License and reliable transportation.
* Bachelor’s degree in social work or related strongly preferred. Master's Degree a plus.
* At least one year of case management, outreach center, or coaching/counseling experience.
* Strong foundational understanding of military culture, rank structure and organizational structure, as well as a strong understanding of deployment and re-integration cycles.
* Compassionate nature and understanding of veterans' issues, maturity in work performance and nonjudgmental when dealing with clients.
* Ability to rely on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.
* Excellent interpersonal, writing, and verbal skills with clients, colleagues, volunteers, donors, and others.
* Strong sense of discretion and confidentiality. Professional demeanor and positive, upbeat attitude.
* Highly organized with good time management in order to balance the demands of files, schedules, dates, and information, and multiple cases.
* MUST be able to work evenings and weekends as needed.
* Proficient in Microsoft Office.
* Bilingual English/Spanish a plus.
Physical Requirements:
Able to remain in a stationary position (both sitting and standing) 50% of the time.
Able to move about inside the Career Center to access file cabinets, volunteers, corporate contacts, etc.
Able to operate office equipment such as a computer, calculator, copy machine and fax
machine.
Able to move equipment and supplies weighing up to 25 pounds for various events.
Able to move, traverse – move to access documents, files, supplies, etc.
Frequently communicate with Corporate contacts, donors, and volunteers who have inquiries about the organization’s mission and services. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
Why Working Wardrobes?
Unlike a big corporation that might pigeonhole you, frustrate you with bureaucracy, or just simply treat you like a number, we know that every employee plays an essential role in our success. We’ve fostered an energetic and open environment peopled by results-oriented professionals with the intellect to achieve results and the humor to enjoy the process. In spite of our continued growth, we’ve maintained enough of a “small” agency feel that your individual contributions can make a difference, and you can feel the “heart-beat” of the company. You’ll be working alongside like-minded peers who are fully aligned with our mission of transforming our clients’ lives by providing career development tools to achieve self -sufficiency. In fact, since 1990, we’ve served nearly 100,000 adults navigate through a variety of life crises--including homelessness, catastrophic illness, alcohol/substance abuse, and traumatic financial losses—and successfully reenter the workforce, with confidence and in style!
Apply on line at www.workingwardrobes.org