Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Case Manager / Family Advocate – Family Shelter

Reports To: Program Supervisor – Family Shelter

Location: Gresham, Oregon

Full-Time | 40 hours/week | Salary Range: $26/hr – $28/hr (DOE) | Benefits Included

Shifts: Tuesday-Saturday 7am-3pm or Sunday-Thursday 12pm-8pm

About Just Compassion

Just Compassion of East Washington County is a community-centered nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of unhoused individuals by building relationships and working toward long-term housing stability. We operate with a low-barrier, housing-first approach, ensuring equitable access to services for all individuals.

Position Summary

The Case Manager / Family Advocate provides individualized, trauma-informed support to families residing in Just Compassion’s 50-unit family shelter in Gresham, OR. This position plays a critical role in helping families stabilize, access services, and transition from shelter into safe and permanent housing.

The Case Manager works collaboratively with families to develop personalized service plans focused on housing, employment, education, and overall well-being. The role also involves advocacy, coordination with community partners, and guidance through complex systems such as Coordinated Entry, TANF, SNAP, OHP, other social safety nets and childcare assistance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Case Management and Housing Navigation

• Provide individualized case management and advocacy for families experiencing homelessness.
• Conduct intake assessments, identify goals, and develop individualized service plans that support housing stability and self-sufficiency.
• Assist families in navigating housing opportunities, including Coordinated Entry referrals, landlord engagement, and rental applications.
• Support participants in obtaining documentation such as identification, birth certificates, and income verification needed for housing.
• Collaborate with the Program Manager and local housing providers to identify available units and expedite move-ins.

System Navigation and Resource Connection

• Assist families in accessing public benefits, healthcare, childcare, behavioral health, and employment resources.
• Support families in connecting to culturally specific services and community-based supports.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of local resources, including rental assistance programs, education supports, and family stabilization services.
• Coordinate with internal team members (Childcare Development Specialist, Youth Services Coordinator, and Behavioral Health Specialist) to ensure holistic support for each family.

Advocacy and Family Empowerment

• Advocate for families’ needs within external systems, including schools, landlords, and government programs.
• Empower families to build self-advocacy skills and navigate systems independently over time.
• Provide trauma-informed guidance and empathetic listening to help families rebuild trust and stability.
• Support families experiencing crises with calm, solutions-oriented interventions and safety planning when needed.

Collaboration and Team Integration

• Participate in weekly case review meetings and multidisciplinary staff meetings to coordinate participant support.
• Maintain consistent communication with shelter operations staff to align on participant progress and challenges.
• Work collaboratively with external partners including DHS, county housing programs, and culturally specific organizations.
• Represent Just Compassion with professionalism and a commitment to collaborative, housing-focused service delivery.

Documentation, Compliance, and Reporting

• Maintain accurate and timely case notes, service plans, and outcome data in HMIS or internal databases.
• Track progress toward housing stability, employment, and family wellness goals.
• Ensure compliance with all confidentiality, data, and reporting requirements under HIPAA and other relevant regulations.
• Contribute to program reports and outcome tracking for internal evaluation and funder reporting.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 2+ years of experience providing case management, housing navigation, or family advocacy services.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and strengths-based approaches.
• Familiarity with local housing systems, Coordinated Entry, and Oregon benefit programs (TANF, OHP, SNAP).
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining empathy and professionalism.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, or related field.
• Experience working with families experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, or intergenerational trauma.
• Knowledge of early childhood and youth service systems.
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities (Spanish, Russian, or other languages commonly spoken by participants).

Work Environment

• Based at the Gresham family shelter with frequent interaction with families, children, and community partners.
• Work involves exposure to sensitive and complex family situations requiring confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Stay informed on Just Compassion and County policies, procedures, and program standards.
• Uphold best practices in trauma-informed care, cultural competency, and harm reduction.
• Perform additional tasks as assigned by the Program Manager and funding entities.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to walk up and down stairs and stand for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds and assist with light physical tasks (e.g., setting up tables/chairs).
• Ability to perform job duties that may involve bending, twisting, or reaching.

Why Join Just Compassion?

• Competitive pay and benefits including medical, dental, and paid time off.
• Opportunities for professional development, including training in trauma-informed care and housing-first strategies.
• A collaborative work environment that values compassion, advocacy, and community impact.
• Be part of a growing organization working to create real housing solutions in Washington County and beyond.

Just Compassion of East Washington County is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity with respect to all employees and applicants for employment. This policy prohibits discrimination on all legally recognized bases including, but not limited to, race, creed, color, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, family relationship, disability, national origin, or service in the uniformed services.

E04JI800ad0m407v1xm

Job Tags

Similar Jobs