Case Manager - Semo Rise

POSITION SUMMARY

Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri (CPSEMO) is seeking a compassionate, organized, and participant-focused professional to serve as the Case Manager for SEMO RISE (Regional Industry Skills and Employment), a regional workforce development initiative serving 14 counties across Southeast Missouri. SEMO RISE focuses on two connected sectors with demonstrated regional workforce needs: skilled trades and construction, and information technology (IT), with an emphasis on commercial drone technology and its applications across industries.

The initiative seeks to strengthen regional workforce pathways by connecting individuals to relevant education, occupational training, industry-recognized skills, and employment opportunities aligned with employer demand. The Case Manager will coordinate individualized service planning, supportive services, and participant retention to help individuals overcome barriers to education, occupational training, and employment.

Working under the direction of the SEMO RISE Project Manager, this position will assess participant needs, develop individualized service plans, coordinate referrals, monitor progress, and provide ongoing support to help participants successfully engage in and complete workforce development activities. The Case Manager will collaborate with the Outreach & Engagement Specialist, Data & Performance Specialist, training providers, employers, community organizations, and other service providers to ensure participants receive appropriate support throughout their involvement with SEMO RISE.

The position will focus on identifying barriers to participation, connecting individuals with available resources, promoting retention and completion, and supporting successful transitions into employment. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, sound judgment, effective problem-solving abilities, and a commitment to helping individuals achieve educational, training, and employment goals.

GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA SEMO RISE serves the following 14 counties in Southeast Missouri: Cape Girardeau, Perry, Bollinger, Scott, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Dunklin, Wayne, Stoddard, Ste. Genevieve, St. Francois, Madison, and Butler. The position may require travel throughout the service area to meet with participants, coordinate services, visit training providers, attend partner meetings, and support participant engagement and retention.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Individualized Participant Assessment and Service Planning Conduct initial and ongoing assessments to identify participant strengths, goals, employment interests, educational needs, barriers to participation, and supportive service needs. Work collaboratively with participants to develop individualized service plans outlining goals, action steps, available resources, and anticipated milestones.

Help participants identify appropriate education, training, credentialing, and employment pathways aligned with their interests, abilities, and regional workforce opportunities. Establish regular participant follow-up schedules to review progress, address challenges, and update service plans as needed. Provide guidance and support to help participants navigate program requirements, training opportunities, referrals, and employment resources.

Promote participant self-sufficiency, accountability, and informed decision-making throughout the service planning process. Document assessments, individualized service plans, progress reviews, referrals, and other required case management activities in designated systems. Adjust service plans as participant circumstances, goals, or support needs change. 2. Supportive Services and Barrier Reduction Identify barriers that may prevent participants from accessing or completing education, occupational training, or employment opportunities. Assess participant needs related to transportation, childcare, housing stability, access to technology, work-related expenses, educational materials, and other challenges, as appropriate to program guidelines. Connect participants with available community resources, public assistance programs, nonprofit organizations, and other service providers. Coordinate supportive services that are allowable under the grant and approved through applicable program procedures. Assist participants in understanding available resources and navigating referral and application processes. Maintain documentation of supportive service requests, referrals, approvals, and assistance provided in accordance with grant requirements. Coordinate with the Project Manager to address complex participant needs, resource limitations, and situations requiring additional review or approval. Monitor whether referrals and supportive services effectively address identified barriers and contribute to continued participation. Maintain professional relationships with community service providers to strengthen access to resources across the 14-county region. 3. Participant Engagement, Retention, and Completion Maintain regular communication with assigned participants to monitor engagement, address concerns, and encourage continued participation in SEMO RISE activities. Track participant attendance, participation, progress toward goals, and completion of assigned training or program milestones, as applicable. Identify early warning signs of disengagement, absenteeism, or potential withdrawal from training or program activities. Conduct timely follow-up with participants who miss appointments, experience participation challenges, or demonstrate an increased risk of leaving the program. Work with participants, training providers, employers, and other partners to develop practical solutions to retention barriers. Provide encouragement, guidance, and accountability to help participants remain engaged and progress toward their goals. Coordinate with the Project Manager and Outreach & Engagement Specialist to support appropriate re-engagement efforts when participants become inactive. Assist participants in preparing for successful transitions from training into employment or additional education. Follow up with participants, as appropriate and permitted by grant requirements, to document training completion, credential attainment, employment placement, and employment retention outcomes. Identify recurring barriers affecting participant retention and recommend program improvements to the Project Manager. 4.Training and Employment Pathway Coordination Help participants understand available training and career pathways in skilled trades and construction, as well as information technology, including commercial drone technology and its applications across industries. Coordinate with training providers and other partners to monitor participant enrollment, attendance, progress, and completion. Assist participants in identifying career goals and connecting those goals to relevant training, credentials, and employment opportunities. Refer participants to appropriate career services, job readiness resources, resume assistance, interview preparation, and employment opportunities. Collaborate with employers, workforce development agencies, educational institutions, and community partners to coordinate services that support successful training and employment outcomes. Help participants navigate transitions between training, credential attainment, job searching, and employment. Communicate relevant participant support needs and progress updates to authorized partners when appropriate and consistent with confidentiality requirements. Promote participant awareness of career opportunities that align with regional employer demand and the goals of SEMO RISE. 5. Referrals and Community Resource Coordination Develop and maintain working relationships with organizations that provide housing assistance, transportation resources, childcare support, financial assistance, educational services, employment support, and other relevant services. Coordinate referrals to appropriate community organizations and service providers based on individualized participant needs. Follow up on referrals, as appropriate, to help determine whether participants successfully connected with needed services. Maintain an updated understanding of available community resources throughout the 14-county service area. Participate in partner meetings and case coordination discussions, as appropriate, to support participant progress and service continuity. Communicate resource gaps and recurring participant needs to the Project Manager. Help strengthen coordination among workforce development programs, training providers, employers, and community-based service organizations. Ensure referrals and services are documented according to established program procedures. 6. Case Documentation, Data Collection, and Reporting Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential participant case files in designated databases, case management systems, and electronic recordkeeping platforms. Document participant assessments, service plans, meetings, contacts, referrals, supportive services, progress updates, and outcomes. Ensure required forms, eligibility documentation, consents, and supporting records are completed and maintained in accordance with program requirements. Enter participant service and progress information into designated systems within established timelines. Collaborate with the Data & Performance Specialist to ensure participant records are complete, accurate, and consistent with required reporting standards. Provide timely information regarding participant progress, engagement, training completion, barriers, and outcomes to support program monitoring and grant reporting. Participate in case file reviews, monitoring activities, and quality assurance processes as required. Identify documentation gaps or discrepancies and take corrective action promptly. Maintain records in accordance with CPSEMO policies and applicable grant-specific confidentiality, data security, and retention requirements. 7. Collaboration and Communication Work closely with the SEMO RISE Project Manager to coordinate case management activities, address participant concerns, and support overall project objectives. Collaborate with the Outreach & Engagement Specialist to facilitate effective transitions from recruitment and enrollment into individualized participant support. Coordinate with the Data & Performance Specialist to maintain accurate case documentation and ensure timely reporting of participant services and outcomes. Communicate with training providers, employers, and community partners to address participant needs and support retention and completion. Participate in staff meetings, case reviews, partner meetings, and program planning activities. Communicate significant participant concerns, service barriers, and potential compliance issues to the Project Manager promptly. Maintain professional boundaries and follow organizational policies when working with participants and external partners. 8. Administrative and Organizational Responsibilities Maintain organized case files, correspondence, appointment schedules, referral records, and supporting documentation. Manage multiple participant caseloads while meeting documentation, follow-up, and reporting deadlines. Schedule and conduct participant meetings, check-ins, and service planning appointments. Protect participant confidentiality and follow applicable policies and procedures. Participate in required training and professional development related to case management, workforce development, supportive services, and grant compliance. Perform other related duties as assigned by the SEMO RISE Project Manager or designated supervisor. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Associate degree or bachelor's degree in social work, human services, counseling, psychology, workforce development, education, or a related field; equivalent relevant education and experience may be considered. At least one year of experience in case management, human services, workforce development, participant support, community services, or a related field. Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills. Demonstrated ability to assess individual needs, coordinate referrals, and support progress toward established goals. Strong organizational skills and the ability to maintain accurate and timely case documentation. Ability to manage multiple participants and competing priorities effectively. Proficiency with Microsoft Office or comparable productivity tools and electronic recordkeeping systems. Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive participant information responsibly. Ability to collaborate with community organizations, service providers, and other program staff. Ability to travel throughout the 14-county service area as required. Valid driver's license and reliable transportation, subject to CPSEMO's applicable driving and vehicle-use requirements.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience working with grant-funded programs, workforce development initiatives, education and training programs, or employment services. Experience providing individualized service planning and coordinating supportive services. Familiarity with participant retention strategies, career pathways, and employment placement services.

Experience working with individuals experiencing barriers to education, training, or employment. Knowledge of community resources and service providers in Southeast Missouri. Experience maintaining electronic case files, participant databases, and grant-related documentation. Familiarity with skilled trades, construction, information technology, commercial drone technology, or related career pathways.

Experience collaborating with educational institutions, employers, workforce agencies, and community-based organizations. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Strong assessment, service planning, and problem-solving skills. Ability to build rapport and maintain professional relationships with participants from diverse backgrounds.

Ability to identify barriers and develop practical strategies to support participation and retention. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Ability to manage a caseload and maintain consistent follow-up with participants. Ability to communicate effectively with participants, employers, training providers, and community partners.

Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and protect confidential information. Ability to document services and outcomes accurately and consistently. Ability to work independently while maintaining accountability to the Project Manager. Commitment to participant-centered service delivery, workforce development, and improved access to education, training, and employment opportunities.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants without unlawful discrimination in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. DISCLAIMER This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed in this position.

It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or requirements.

Responsibilities

may be modified as necessary to meet organizational needs and SEMO RISE grant requirements.