Navigator Case Manager

Benefits Navigator Case Manager

DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center) – a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting individuals with complex needs related to homelessness, substance use disorders, and serious mental illness.

Full‑time

Friday, Saturday

Day (9:00 AM – 5:30 PM)

Dental, Life, Long‑term Disability, Medical (no premiums/payroll deductions for employee coverage)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), ORCA card subsidy, Paid Time Off (34 days per year), Retirement Plan

This position is represented by SEIU Healthcare 1199NW.

DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center) is a nonprofit organization working to help people with the complex needs of homelessness, substance use disorders, and serious mental illness achieve their highest potential for health and well‑being through comprehensive services, treatment, and housing. Our vision is a community where no person is abandoned, ignored, or experiencing homelessness. As the region's leading provider of services to multiply disabled adults who have experienced chronic homelessness, DESC serves almost 3,000 people each day.

Our integrated service model is designed to help people secure and maintain appropriate, safe and affordable housing. DESC is recognized nationally and regionally as an innovator in developing solutions to homelessness.

DESC's STAR (Stability Through Access and Resources) Center is a time‑limited, 24/7, behavioral health‑focused non‑congregate shelter located at 619 3rd Avenue and Cherry St in Seattle. The program works with unsheltered adults facing significant untreated and undertreated challenges related to mental health and substance use disorders, prioritizing the most vulnerable individuals in our community. The center will serve as an entry point for individuals with significant behavioral health disabilities to access a comprehensive range of services.

All services are provided through a Harm Reduction and Housing First lens. Services are strength‑based, person‑centered, and trauma‑informed. Interventions focus on housing, medication for opioid use disorders, and other substance use issues, outpatient behavioral health services, and various social services. On‑site staff will help guests navigate access to long‑term housing and healthcare services, resulting in healthier outcomes for STAR Center guests and our city.

The Benefits Navigator focuses on assisting STAR Center guests to acquire, navigate, and renew public benefits to meet their medical, financial, nutritional, transportation, and other relevant needs. Common program applications the Benefits Navigator will work with clients on include the Aged, Blind or Disabled Cash Program (ABD), Social Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability (SSDI), Apple Health Medicaid, Medicare, and ORCA Lift.

A strong applicant will be familiar with these resources, as well as other local housing, employment, and community resources relevant to STAR Center clients.

• Work with STAR Center clients to acquire and renew public benefits (ABD, SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, Medicare, ORCA Lift).
• Assist STAR Center clients in obtaining documents necessary for housing and benefits (identification, social security card, birth certificate, etc.).
• Support clients in scheduling and attending benefit‑related appointments, including providing transportation or accompanying them as needed.
• Help clients navigate or troubleshoot benefits issues (contacting agencies, updating information, connecting with specialists).
• Coordinate and collaborate with DESC programs, external community providers, and stakeholders to ensure continuity of client care and successful transition to long‑term providers.
• Complete housing assessments and assist with CEA housing nominations.
• Collaborate with Case Managers to plan, create, and implement detailed client‑centered, goal‑oriented, strength‑based disposition plans focusing on benefits and housing acquisition.
• Provide intensive case management coverage when needed to ensure continuity of care and…