Supportive Services for Older Adult Program Case Manager-(Human Services Specialist I)-DCRS

Howard County:
Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.
 
Howard County Government:
Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, best practices and sustainability. It is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2024, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 63 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – the most awards in the state of Maryland, and the fifth highest in the nation, as compared to more than 3000 counties. NACo Achievement Awards are the premier national honor to recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policy making.
 
What are we looking for?
We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.
 
What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government:

• We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.  
• We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged!  
• We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs. 
• As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.

POSITION SUMMARY:
Provides case management to at risk older adults and adults with disabilities who are receiving services under the various programs administered through the Office on Aging and Independence. With a person-centered approach, the case manager works as part of an interdisciplinary team in developing care plans, coordinating care, and supportive services. Case Manager works with clients to identify providers of services; monitors and updates care plans ensuring that services are properly delivered and altered as needed. Provides all tracking, reassessment, and advocacy services as required. 

*IMPORTANT NOTICE: This position is grant funded. Individuals selected for the position will serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and may be terminated if the grant funding for the position ends.*

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$26.83 - $35.14
$55,808 - $73,089

CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Performs professional level human services work, which may include supervisory responsibility, under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work includes human service, administrative, and counseling work; providing counseling and programmatic services to the special populations; and providing assistance in identifying the population at risk, its needs and how to meet those needs. Organizes and publicizes large events for citizens or special groups. Work also includes providing services needed to carry out human service programs or the operation of a medium sized center with extensive regional responsibility and concurrent programming. 

Include the following.  Other related duties may be assigned.

• As part of an interdisciplinary team assists in developing care and provides case management services for clients who receive services under the Supportive Services for Older Adults Program. 

• Implements plans by assisting clients/families in identifying the providers of services needed, monitors care to ensure that services are provided and continuously needed, updates plan as needed, recommends changes in services assesses progress or lack thereof of client’s abilities, etc. 
• Promotes person-directed care to clients (individual, family, or caregiver) by providing current 

• information on available resources, services, programs and benefits, including information relating to assistive technologies. 

• Provides Options Counseling by conducting a comprehensive assessment of the problems and capabilities of all through an in-depth interview process. Counsels the, their caregiver, etc., on services and options that are or may be available to meet their needs and assists them in obtaining consumer-preferred resources and services.

• Assists income eligible clients in completing applications to obtain local, State and National services and benefits. Makes determinations of eligibility to appropriate local and State administered programs. Coordinates with other State agencies such as the Department of Social Services, Health Department, Department of Disabilities, Department of Human Services, etc. Also coordinates with federal programs such as those administered by the Social Security Administration. 

• Refers the client to and/or helps them accomplish linkages with other agencies and service providers as needed. 

• Advocates for clients in terms of ensuring necessary services are provided and follows up to ensure that the client receives the services for which they are eligible. 

• Case management notes are documented to track interactions, activities, recommendations, and outcomes. 

• Through an ongoing analysis of cases, programs, and services, identifies unmet needs and makes recommendations for changes in   systems to promote efficiency and accuracy in providing programs and services to the community. 

• Collects, compiles and analyzes data necessary to complete program reports and to assess the health of the program in Howard County. Based on analysis, makes recommendations for program and systems change. 

• Attends required scheduled training sessions and selected conferences. 

• May be required to occasionally work an evening or weekend to include but not limited to offering presentations or opportunities to represent the Office on Aging and Independence or DCRS at community events. 

• Participate in activities related to Emergency Management as requested including work outside normal business hours.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: 
This is a field/technical position with work typically performed in both office and field settings and requiring the ability to maneuver in and around such settings. Most of the work is done in the field setting. 

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY: 

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
•  Ability to write reports, fact sheets, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. 
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.   
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.   
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. 
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Possession of a valid driver's license.

Salary : $55,808 - $107,615