Basic Needs and CARE Team Case Manager

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION: 

Provides guidance and support to students experiencing distress related to educational and personal challenges that may impede their academic progress.  

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES: 

Responsible for overseeing, coordinating, and developing efforts related to the California State University Channel Islands (CI) emergency intervention and basic needs program (consisting of, but not limited to, food security, housing security, and emergency fund grants) as well as supports the Campus Assessment, Response, and Evaluation (CARE) Team. Provides assistance to students in optimizing their educational experience while minimizing the impact of illness, injury, behavioral changes, and personal distress on students' academic careers through the coordination of care, interventions, social support with appropriate referrals, and follow up services within a broad network of campus and community resources. Collaborates with the emergency intervention and basic needs program, the CARE Team, and Dean of Students office to provide a safe, welcoming, and affirming environment for all students. Collaborates in providing support to students in distress by triaging concerns and coordinating a response from the campus community. Oversees professional referrals for both on and off-campus providers, ongoing support, outreach, and follow-up. Develops and implements services for students and coordinates case management between the various student support services on campus as well as external resource providers. Provides timely reports and updates to the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs (AVPSA)/Dean of Students (DOS) as well as to the emergency intervention and basic needs program taskforce and the CARE Team regarding cases, when appropriate. Responsible for maintaining accurate files and data for all cases providing a status report each semester and as needed. Responsible for developing and presenting to the campus community on available resources and strategies for assisting students experiencing distress. Additional activities include community outreach and education, data collection, assessment, and budget management. Carries out special projects as directed by AVPSA/DOS. Provides ongoing development and provision of outreach education to the University community including the identification and referral of both persons of concern and potential threats to the community as well as those in need of support related to food, housing, and financial security; outreach to include students, staff, and faculty. Develops and administers an assessment plan for case management services. Assists in the preparation of departmental, division, and university reports. Creates policies and procedures to guide the work related to providing support and resources to students. Establishes committees as necessary and serves as a representative on related committees when appropriate. Responsible for ensuring a dynamic web presence and utilizing various marketing strategies to ensure students and the campus community are aware of resources. Participates and represents the campus in system-wide initiatives related to case management. Performs other related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISOR/OTHER WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Reports directly to the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students. Works closely with the emergency intervention and basic needs program subcommittee chairs and members, the CARE Team as well as other members of the campus and external community, particularly with Financial Aid, Disability Resource Programs, Student Conduct, Counseling & Psychological Services, University Advancement, University Police Department, Business and Financial Affairs and the Vice President for Student Affairs office, among others.

REQUIREMENTS OF POSITION: 

Master's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or related field from an accredited institution required. Licensure as a clinical social worker or comparable practice/field required. At least three years of progressively responsible work in case management required. Knowledge of available mental health, health, and support resources in order to assist students in meeting their psychosocial needs. Experience in public higher education preferred. Strong knowledge of mental health, student advocacy, and crisis management. Demonstrated ability to provide administrative case management, including direct contact with clients and other providers, as well as administrative duties. Skilled in coordinating, directing, evaluating, and implementing case management services for individuals with multiple personal and life challenges (preferably in a higher education setting). Solid knowledge of undergraduate and graduate student development theories to explain college student behavior, including psychosocial theories, cognitive/structural theories, and ecological and integrative theories. Demonstrated experience in problem-solving, decision making, conflict resolution, negotiation, counseling, referral techniques, and confidentiality. Ability to develop, implement, and market new outreach programs and provide consultation services. Ability to communicate, engage, and develop rapport with individuals of diverse cultural, social, and religious backgrounds, and varied age, gender, sexual orientation, and military status. Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as effective presentation skills. Effective interpersonal and communication skills as demonstrated by a pronounced sensitivity to the needs of a diverse student body; demonstrated experience working with diverse student, faculty, staff and community populations and proven ability to create an inclusive and welcoming campus environment. Must be able to demonstrate respect and integrate cultural sensitivity when providing services. Demonstrated ability to research, write analytical reports, and make presentations on issues related to students and student behavior. Familiarity with electronic case management software and tracking systems. Ability to speak formally and informally and make prepared and extemporaneous presentations to individuals and groups in order to provide information, explain procedures, investigate facts, and persuade others. Extensive knowledge of student security and privacy requirements including Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Experience and familiarity with case management database/software is preferred.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.