Case Manager

Overview

Organization: Community Day Center of Waltham

Reports to: Executive Director

Hours: fulltime (35 hrs/week)

About the Organization:

The Community Day Center of Waltham is a drop-in day shelter that provides a core range of services to people facing homelessness in Metrowest.

Our services include but are not limited to: case management that supports our guests with finding, securing, and maintaining housing, a seasonal overnight program, meal services, mail services, AA meetings, Smart Recovery, other support for substance abuse recovery, shower and laundry facilities, and essential hygiene and clothing distributions.

Please also note that the Community Day Center is not a traditional office setting! We are a drop-in center, meaning a typical day looks like 30-40 people mulling about in your workspace. Be prepared that plans often go awry, it will always be noisy, and the unexpected will happen!

If environments like this excite you, and you seek to make a difference in the lives of deeply underserved populations, we want to hear from you!

About the Role:

The Case Manager is the first point of contact for guests at our center. This position is fast-paced and client-facing; the successful candidate must be comfortable working directly with people experiencing mental illness, substance use disorders, and domestic violence.

After thorough training, the Case Manager can expect to meet with guests who are facing a range of challenges in one-on-one appointments. Potential clients include those at risk of homelessness, those who are newly homeless, those who are chronically homeless, and those struggling with the transition from homelessness to housing.

Given the likely federal budget cuts to the housing programs our guests rely on, it is likely that a greater portion of the job will focus on housing sustainability rather than housing placement (that is, ensuring our recently-housed guests maintain their housing). In the past, this has looked like house visits, liasoning with landlords, budgeting support, and job readiness support. We welcome the successful candidate’s contributions to this program as we move towards a greater prioritization of housing sustainability.

Duties:

Conduct comprehensive guest intakes:

• Welcome and orient new clients to the program.
• Gather detailed personal, medical, financial, and housing history through structured intake assessments.
• Identify immediate needs and develop an individualized service plan in collaboration with the client.

Support unhoused guests in finding and securing housing:

• Assist unhoused clients in completing and submitting applications for permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, rapid rehousing, SRO’s and other housing programs.
• Coordinate with housing agencies and landlords to facilitate placement.
• Help clients gather necessary documentation such as ID, proof of income, and medical records.

Promote long-term housing stability:

• Provide ongoing support to clients after housing placement to ensure they retain stable housing.
• Act as a liaison between clients and landlords to mediate conflicts and support positive tenancy.
• Assist clients with budgeting, paying rent on time, and understanding lease agreements.
• Support clients in job searches and income development strategies to sustain housing.
• Connect clients to rental assistance programs such as RAFT (Residential Assistance for Families in Transition), emergency funds, or other eviction prevention services as needed.
• Conduct periodic home visits or check-ins to assess housing conditions and address emerging issues proactively.

Support clients in navigating and applying for public assistance programs such as:

• SNAP (food stamps)
• Cash assistance
• Social Security benefits (SSI/SSDI)
• Medicaid and other healthcare programs

Qualifications:

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has previous case management experience.
• Has a proven ability to build trust and rapport, especially when working with marginalized communities.
• Brings experience in developing and maintaining relationships with external partners—this includes housing authorities, city staff, and other social service agencies. Relationship-building is absolutely essential to this role; experience in this is one of the most important qualifications!
• Speaks a second language fluently—Spanish is especially valuable (second language skills are a plus, but not required).
• Has worked in recovery-oriented environments, such as recovery coaching or facilitating recovery meetings.
• Has strong written communication skills, including experience writing letters of support for clients.
• Is flexible and adaptable—every day is different at our drop-in center!
• Holds a degree in psychology, public health, or social work (a plus, but not required).
• Has basic computer skills, including familiarity with Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, excel, etc.).
• Has access to a car and a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.

We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and deeply value lived experience. If you don’t meet every qualification listed but believe you’re a strong fit for this role, we encourage you to apply!

Salary & Benefits

• $48,000 USD/year
• Reimbursed health and dental insurance up to $340/month
• 3 weeks paid vacation and 3 paid personal days