Case Manager (Housing) at Restorative Pathways in Oakland, CA

Case Manager (Housing)

Location: Oakland, California

Case Manager (Housing)

Hybrid Remote/In-Person Full-Time Position in multiple locations (Non-Exempt)

Who We Are

Ruby's Place dba Restorative Pathways (RP) is an innovative nonprofit committed to ending domestic violence, human trafficking, and violent crime through hope, advocacy and connection. Our services include emergency shelter, transitional housing, rental subsidies, mental health services, substance recovery, and wrap-around services. All our services are trauma-sensitive and client-centered and are provided at no cost to our clients. All programs are low barrier.

RP is led by survivors with a focus on reflection, innovation, and connection. We believe in fostering relationships, both in our direct service work and throughout our internal work culture. We aim to cultivate a workplace that appreciates and emphasizes the voices of those most impacted by violence. We recognize these voices are vital to interrupting the cycle of violence and transforming lives towards safety, unity, and trust.

Who You Are

You are a compassionate, organized, resourceful, and solution-focused professional who understands that successful housing case management requires both strong client relationships and consistent follow-through.

You are comfortable supporting individuals and families experiencing complex barriers related to homelessness, domestic violence, human trafficking, reentry, justice-system involvement, limited income, employment, behavioral health needs, and other challenges impacting housing stability.

You understand that housing navigation involves more than locating available units. You are able to help clients identify housing barriers, develop realistic housing and financial plans, increase or stabilize income and benefits, connect with community resources, communicate with landlords, and work toward long-term housing stability.

You are highly organized and able to independently manage a caseload while balancing client appointments, housing searches, landlord communication, field work, documentation, referrals, assessments, case plans, reporting requirements, and deadlines.

You understand that timely and accurate documentation is an essential component of client service. You are comfortable working within HMIS/Clarity and other electronic case management systems and understand the importance of documenting services, outcomes, income, referrals, progress, and client engagement accurately and on time.

You are proactive and resourceful. When a barrier arises, you are willing to research options, collaborate with your team and community partners, and identify potential solutions rather than waiting for direction.

You are able to provide compassionate, trauma-informed services while maintaining professional boundaries, encouraging client accountability, and supporting clients in developing the skills and resources necessary to become increasingly independent.

You are flexible and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where program priorities, client needs, funding requirements, and assignments may change.

What other qualifications are required for this position?

You also have:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Social Services or three years of experience with re-entry population or in a directly related professional experience.
• At least two years of experience providing housing case management, homeless services, reentry services, survivor services, crisis intervention, advocacy, peer support, or other related direct services.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a client caseload independently while meeting documentation, service delivery, follow-up, and reporting deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate professionally with clients, landlords, property managers, community partners, probation/reentry partners, and internal team members.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to prioritize competing responsibilities and maintain accurate records.
• Ability to complete timely, accurate, and thorough case notes, assessments, individualized case plans, service documentation, referrals, progress reviews, and other required client records.
• Ability to work effectively with clients experiencing multiple and complex barriers while utilizing trauma-informed, client-centered, culturally responsive, and solution-focused approaches.
• Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries, confidentiality, and ethical standards.
• Ability to work independently while also actively participating in team consultation, case conferencing, reflective supervision, training, and quality-improvement activities.
• Ability and willingness to work from multiple RP locations and in community-based settings based on client and program needs.
• Valid California driver's license, proof of insurance, and ability to meet RP driving requirements as applicable to the position.
• Ability to complete required background checks, Live Scan, Community Care Licensing requirements, and mandated training requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred
• Experience using HMIS/Clarity or comparable electronic case management databases.
• Familiarity with HUD-funded programs, grant-funded service delivery, documentation standards, and outcome reporting.
• Knowledge of motivational interviewing, crisis intervention, de-escalation, harm reduction, and strengths-based case management.
• Experience assisting clients with income development, benefits advocacy, budgeting, employment resources, and long-term housing sustainability.
• State-mandated 40-hour Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking counselor certification preferred; training may be completed after hire.

What You Will Do

The Housing Case Manager provides trauma-informed, client-centered housing case management to individuals and families participating in Restorative Pathways housing programs. The Case Manager works collaboratively with clients to identify housing barriers, establish individualized goals, access appropriate resources, obtain and maintain housing, increase financial stability, and develop a sustainable plan for long-term housing success.

Case Managers are expected to independently manage an assigned caseload, generally approximately 30–40 clients depending on program needs, funding requirements, client acuity, and staffing.

Responsibilities include:

Case Management & Housing Stabilization

• Complete comprehensive client assessments and identify housing, income, employment, benefits, legal, transportation, education, health, safety, and other barriers affecting housing stability.
• Develop individualized, client-centered case plans with measurable goals based on identified needs, strengths, barriers, and client priorities.
• Regularly review client progress, update goals and case plans, and complete required reassessments throughout program participation.
• Provide housing navigation, including housing searches, application assistance, landlord communication, housing referrals, lease-up support, and move-in coordination.
• Assist clients in developing realistic housing plans based on income, household needs, rental market conditions, available subsidies, and long-term affordability.
• Support clients with increasing or stabilizing income through employment resources, public benefits, workforce development, education, and other appropriate referrals.
• Provide information, referrals, advocacy, crisis intervention, emotional support, and coordination with community-based service providers.
• Utilize motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, strengths-based practices, and solution-focused approaches to promote client engagement and independence.
• Provide transportation or accompany clients to housing, legal, social service, and other case-management-related appointments when appropriate and authorized.
• Conduct home visits, community-based meetings, shelter visits, and other field-based services as required by program needs.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and ensure client relationships remain within the scope of professional services.

Housing & Landlord Engagement

• Develop and maintain professional relationships with landlords, property managers, housing providers, and community housing partners.
• Advocate with landlords and property managers to address housing barriers and support successful tenancy.
• Assist with lease review, lease signing, move-in coordination, rent adjustments, subsidy transitions, and housing stabilization.
• Communicate clearly with clients regarding the scope, duration, requirements, and limitations of available rental assistance.
• Work with clients throughout subsidy participation to develop a sustainable plan for maintaining housing following the end of financial assistance.

Documentation, Data & Compliance

• Maintain complete, accurate, timely, and confidential client records in HMIS/Clarity and other required agency or funder databases.
• Complete case notes, assessments, case plans, service entries, referrals, income documentation, progress reviews, housing documentation, and exit documentation within required timelines.
• Accurately document all services provided so that client records reflect the full scope of case management, advocacy, referrals, emotional support, employment assistance, housing services, and other interventions provided.
• Collect, verify, upload, and maintain required eligibility, income, benefits, housing, and program documentation.
• Maintain accurate records of rental assistance, client expenses, check requests, financial assistance, and other program expenditures as assigned.
• Submit check requests and supporting documentation accurately and within established timelines.
• Review assigned client files for completeness and promptly correct identified documentation or compliance deficiencies.
• Meet agency, program, grant, HUD, county, and other applicable documentation and reporting requirements.
• Complete required monthly, quarterly, or other program reports accurately and by assigned deadlines.
• Protect client confidentiality and comply with agency policies, mandated reporting requirements, funder requirements, and applicable privacy standards.

Collaboration & Program Responsibilities

• Participate actively in case conferences, housing team meetings, reflective supervision, trainings, and program planning.
• Collaborate with RP shelter programs, housing programs, behavioral health services, reentry programs, and other internal departments.
• Coordinate services with community partners, housing providers, county agencies, probation/reentry partners, Coordinated Entry, employment programs, benefits providers, and other systems involved in client care.
• Maintain an organized calendar and schedule that accurately reflects client appointments, field work, meetings, deadlines, and work location.
• Communicate proactively with supervisors regarding client concerns, housing barriers, compliance issues, workload challenges, safety concerns, or circumstances that may affect timely service delivery.
• Respond to client and partner communications within established program expectations.
• Participate in required agency, funder, compliance, and professional-development trainings.
• Remain flexible regarding work location and assignments based on client, staffing, funding, and program needs.
• Maintain documentation of relevant workflows, resources, and procedures associated with assigned responsibilities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

This position is eligible for hybrid in person & remote work. Time spent on-site versus remote working will be discussed and agreed upon with your supervisor. You are expected to be available on-site as necessary given business needs. You must be able to stand for long periods of time and perform physical activities, including lifting up to 25 pounds. You will be subject to frequent interruptions and must be able to multitask and handle stress.

Local travel in the greater Bay Area may be required.

Applying

The pay scale for the Case Manager is $32 per hour. The benefits that come with working at Restorative Pathways at full-time hours include medical, dental, and vision plans, a life insurance policy, significant vacation, sick, restorative care time, and immediate vesting in our 403(b) with a generous match. This is a full-time, 40 hours per week non-exempt position.

If all this sounds like a good fit for you, please submit your resume and, instead of a traditional cover letter, respond to the following prompts:

• Why do you want to work for RP and why are you a good fit for this role?
• You have several case notes due, a landlord waiting for a response, a client facing a housing crisis, and an assessment due by the end of the day. Briefly describe how you would prioritize your responsibilities.

Please provide a brief explanation for each (a few sentences).

At RP, we are committed to workplace diversity and providing equal employment opportunities. Please also note that we are going to be especially excited about candidates who understand the unique nature of a mission-driven organization and have lived experience or direct experience working with survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, or violent crime.