Community Case Manager - Youth Service Navigator

Description

The Community Case Manager & Service Navigator engages young people experiencing homelessness or housing instability in community settings, builds trusting relationships and connects them to essential services. Through trauma-informed engagement, safety planning, and needs assessment, the Navigator supports youth in accessing shelter, housing pathways, behavioral health care, education, employment, and other stabilizing resources. The role includes street outreach, crisis response, and coordinated entry navigation. 

1. 1 or 2 days per week officed at a local library.

2. Frequent field-based work, including walking, lifting supplies, and traveling to multiple outreach sites.

3. Occasional evening or weekend outreach based on youth needs or community patterns.

4. Exposure to unpredictable environments, requiring situational awareness and adherence to safety protocols.

1. Knowledge, skills, and abilities consistent with a degree in in human services related field, or minimum three years related experience, including lived experience of homelessness or housing insecurity.

2. Experience working with youth or young adults experiencing homelessness, system involvement, or trauma.

3. Knowledge of local resources related to meeting youth needs and experiences.

4. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust with diverse populations in nontraditional settings.

5. Ability to respond calmly and effectively in crises.

6. Understanding of youth homelessness, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and positive youth development.

7. Comfort working in the field, in all weather conditions, and independently.

8. Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation. Ability to travel throughout the 7-county service area - Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Hampton and Jasper.

1. Conduct consistent street outreach in locations where youth experiencing homelessness gather (parks, bus stations, encampments, schools, community centers, libraries).

2. Build rapport with youth using trauma-informed, harm-reduction-oriented strategies.

3. Provide on-the-spot emotional support, crisis intervention, safety planning, and basic needs (food, hygiene supplies, clothing, transportation assistance).

4. Identify youth at risk of trafficking, exploitation, or violence and respond using agency protocols.

1. Complete initial screenings and comprehensive assessments focused on housing status, safety, mental health, substance use, education, and employment needs.

2. Assist youth with Coordinated Entry assessments and prioritization processes for housing programs.

3. Develop individualized service plans that reflect youth voice, goals, strengths, and preferred pathways.

4. Accompany young people to appointments, interviews, and services when needed (warm hand-offs).

5. Provide navigation across systems, including housing, healthcare, foster care, juvenile justice, workforce development, and public benefits.

1. Connect youth to emergency shelter, transitional housing, rapid rehousing, and family reunification options when appropriate.

2. Link youth to mental/behavioral health care, substance use services, medical care, food resources, legal aid, and life-skills supports.

3. Facilitate access to education re-engagement, GED programs, job training, and employment opportunities.

1. Build and maintain relationships with schools, youth-serving agencies, shelters, drop-in centers, clinics, and community partners.

2. Participate in case coordination, outreach meetings, staff meetings, team meetings and cross-agency collaboration efforts.

3. Work with internal teams to support youth transitioning into longer-term programs such as transitional living or supportive housing.

4. Contribute to program development, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement.

5. Attend relevant training on topics affecting homeless youth and young adults.

1. Maintain accurate, timely outreach notes, assessments, and referrals into coordinated entry.

2. Follow confidentiality laws and mandated reporting requirements.

3. Track service delivery outcomes and contribute to required reporting for grants and funders.

1. Corrective vision and hearing to normal range.
2. Ability to move between service locations 
3. Ability to lift 50 lbs. 
4. Ability to relate effectively to individuals experiencing homelessness. 
5. Possible exposure to communicable diseases and vicarious trauma. 
6. Frequent field-based work, including walking, lifting supplies, and traveling to multiple outreach sites. 
7. Requires sound mental reasoning, sound judgment, and the ability to respond calmy and effectively in a crisis.