Resource Specialist

Agency Overview

At Neighborhood House (NH), our vision is a healthy, diverse, and welcoming community, free of poverty and racism, where all people thrive. We serve over 16,000 individuals in Seattle/South King County in the areas of early learning, youth development, citizenship, employment, health, housing, resource navigation, and aging adults. In addition to direct services, we use our experience and deep connection to our communities to advocate for equitable access to services, and policy changes that advance equity for all.

When one of us succeeds, we all succeed!

Neighborhood House is on a mission to becoming a multi-cultural, anti-racist agency. We are achieving this by sharing power, listening to and learning from each other and our communities, and working to repair past inequities. We are building a culture where equity is the foundation, inclusiveness is the default, and access for marginalized communities is the norm.

Our Agency Values include Community, Equity, Integrity, Relationships, and Sustainability. More information about our Agency Values can be found here.

Click here for more details about our benefits program.

Job Summary

The Resource Specialist has the primary responsibility of conducting extensive, culturally sensitive outreach to specific cultural groups, with a focus on older adults, individuals with disabilities, and their caregivers, with the goal of educating and connecting the community to the social services and health resources that are available. This position will dedicate significant time to engaging with community groups in culturally and linguistically competent ways to provide information on the many programs and resources available in the community, as well as conducting simple information & assistance referrals for eligible individuals and families. Resource Specialists will also focus on building and maintaining relationships with resource providers, community leaders, social services organizations, healthcare organizations, housing authorities, government entities, and other organizations that could provide referrals for and support to clients. Typically, the Resource Specialist will also collaborate with other Neighborhood House direct service programs  and staff to support the community.

Resource Specialists work in diverse, low-income communities where the majority of clients may have Limited English Proficiency. Bilingual staff are preferred  to help immigrants and refugees navigate the US social support systems that can provide critical self-sufficiency services. Interpretation and translation in individual and group settings is required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement outreach strategies tailored to specific communities to encourage participation in support services and educate the community regarding social services and health systems.
• Identify and engage new partners to participate in the regional networking events and build network capacity in South King County
• Develop, update, and distribute materials informing the community about programs and services.
• Generate, plan, coordinate, and staff community outreach activities that allow the program to connect with the focus community.
• Assess client level of need and coordinate comprehensive referrals with other team members for clients with more complex health or social services needs.
• Provide information, referrals, and advocacy to link clients to appropriate services in a timely manner and follow up with clients to ensure appropriate receipt of needed services.
• Maintain timely accurate, and complete records of all outreach and client services in line with program policies and requirements.
• Maintain strong partnerships with health and community service providers, government entities, and housing authorities.
• Observe patterns in client needs and interests. Communicate these needs or service gaps to the team and participate in shared problem solving.
• Actively engage in ongoing continuous quality improvement to enhance program operations.
• Written and verbal translation in both English and a primary language that meets the cultural/language needs of NH clients and our surrounding communities.
• Represent the agency by participating in activities, networks, and professional organizations related to program areas.
• Work with a cooperative, solution-focused spirit within the program, across NH departments, and with partner organizations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree in Social Work or a related field and two years of relevant experience (paid or volunteer); or Bachelor Degree in unrelated field and four years of paid social services experience; or Associate Degree or two years of relevant college coursework in related field and four years of human services experience.
• Extensive experience connecting with specific communities; knowledge of and relationships with community leaders and organizations.
• Proven ability to outreach and engage individuals and families, particularly regarding health or social services resources.
• Bi-lingual with English skills sufficiently strong to prepare documents in English; ability to translate English documents to primary language in an accurate and timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a culturally diverse workplace dedicated to equity and inclusion.
• Neighborhood House is on a journey to become a fully inclusive, multicultural, anti-racist organization. Candidate must demonstrate a commitment to advancing racial equity and social justice. 
• Team player who is resourceful, proactive, and comfortable working with diverse populations.
• Good listening and oral/written communications skills and a non-judgmental, positive, problem-solving attitude.
• Demonstrated ability to perform job duties within the context of complex regulations and definitions and to complete extensive technical documentation.
• Ability to excel in highly visible, highly public settings.
• Computer literacy, including MS Office.
• Proven organizational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tasks, including the ability to work on multiple projects.
• Willingness to comply with established agency policies and performance standards, which may include productivity/personal responsibility, client/customer services, teamwork, and maintaining a professional demeanor.
• Must have reliable, independent transportation for frequent travel to client homes and between sites.
• This is a hybrid position with a minimum of two days on-site per week

Required Credentials

• Must pass Neighborhood House background check.
• Position requires Washington State bi-annual criminal background re-check.

Post-Hire on-the-job Training Requirements

• Current First Aid Certification (within 30 days of hire, maintain current certificate during employment).
• Current CPR Certification (within 30 days of hire, maintain current certificate during employment).
• Sexual Harassment Training within 30 days of hire.
• Child Abuse and Neglect training (within 2 weeks of hire).

Employment Practice

Neighborhood House is committed to diversity and to equal opportunity employment. As an equal opportunity employer, we support and follow federal, state and local laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Neighborhood House does not exclude, deny benefits to, or otherwise discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, color, creed, religion, caste, disability, national origin, marital status, mental or physical ability including HIV status, height, weight, veteran status, military obligations, sexual orientation and expression of gender identity, or any other classification protected by law. Management and HR staff are committed to ensuring that all personnel decisions that affect employees, clients, volunteers, and board members are made in accordance with the equal employment opportunity principles of nondiscrimination.

For more information

Inquiries may be directed to People and Culture at (206) 461-8430 or by e-mail to nhjobs@nhwa.org.