Social Services Specialist I - (Duluth) (Open)

Salary : $23.04 - $27.52 Hourly

Location : Duluth, MN

Job Type : Permanent, Full-Time

Job Number : 25-019 / 931-02

Department : Public Health and Human Services

Opening Date : 02 / 19 / 2025

Closing Date : 3 / 5 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Central

Kind of Work

This para-professional position provides services to people served by the Children & Family Services unit within the Public Health and Human Services Department.

A typical schedule for this position is Monday thru Friday (8 : 00 a.m. - 4 : 30 p.m.). To provide flexibility in meeting the needs of our clients, employees are expected to work a minimum of two days per week outside of the typical hours of 8 : 00 a.m. - 4 : 30 p.m.

Duties within this role include :

• In-home and Community-based direct services
• Supervision of visits
• Needs assessments
• Transportation of clients
• Close coordination with Social Workers and other providers
• Maintenance of records, reports, information and referrals

The salary range reflected above is the normal hiring range for 2025. The full salary range, including longevity pay, is $23.04 - $31.69 per hour.

This position is part of the represented by Council 5 of AFSCME.

St. Louis County does not participate in E-Verify. All employees must be continuously authorized to work in the United States , for St. Louis County, on a full-time basis. St. Louis County does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.

Distinguishing Features of Work

An employee in this class performs para-professional direct client services, supports professional staff and provides case management services to customers. Duties include assessing needs, determining program eligibility, providing direct services, maintaining accurate program records and reports and initiating customer referrals. The work is performed under the direction of assigned staff.

Work Environment

These work environment factors are general in nature and may vary depending on the specific position being filled. CONSTANT : Talk / Speak; Near Vision and Inside. FREQUENT : Lift -While Stationary up to 10 lbs, Carry -While Moving up to 10 lbs, Sit; Stand; Walk; Hearing Close proximity (1-5 ft) and Hearing Distance (up to 20 ft); Midrange Vision; Works with others; Works around others; Customer / Public contact. OCCASIONAL : Feel / Finger; Grasp / Handle; Reach; Reach above shoulder; Rotate Neck; Stoop / Bend; Wrist turn (right and left); Far vision; Clients w / Behavior Challenges; Extended Day; and Drive.

NOTE : Social Services Specialist I employees working with CPS (Child Protection Services), CW (Child Welfare), FA (Family Assistance) and IIU (Initial Intervention Unit) will be required to frequently Lift-while stationary up to 20 lbs; occasionally Lift-while stationary 20-30 lbs; frequently Carry-while moving up to 20 lbs; occasionally Carry-while moving 20-30 lbs.

Selection Process

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Pass / Fail) :

RATING SYSTEM :

Supplemental Questions will be 100% of the scoring process :

Points will be awarded based on the applicants answers to supplemental questions 8-12.

Experience beyond ten years may be included on the application for purposes of meeting minimum qualifications or informing the hiring authority of your complete employment history.

Please Note : When answering the supplemental questions on the website, the webpage may time out after 30 minutes. It's recommended you draft your answers in a Word document and copy / paste the answers into the application when you're finished writing. Failure to answer all of the questions on the "Supplemental Questions" page within 30 minutes may result in the deletion of your answers by the application system.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT & SCREENING PROCESS SCHEDULE :

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS :

The essential functions for this position are listed under the "ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK" on the specification, available in the Human Resources Department or online at

VETERANS PREFERENCE :

If you are eligible to apply for Veterans Preference, please attach to your application a copy of document(s) listed for the option that applies to you :

Please refer to Minnesota Statute 197.455 for additional requirements. Click

PHYSICAL-MEDICAL STANDARDS :

Qualified applicants must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Applicants selected must meet the physical requirements for the position.

DRUG TESTING :

Applicants selected for appointment must take and pass a drug test.

BACKGROUND CHECK :

Applicants selected for appointment to a position with St. Louis County are subject to a background investigation.

EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION :

All new employees must submit documentation verifying identity and employment eligibility within three days of their first day of employment.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD :

Appointees to the position must successfully complete at least a six-month probationary period prior to being certified for permanent employment.

NON-DISCRIMINATION :

St. Louis County is an equal opportunity and veteran-friendly employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status with regard to public assistance, disability, genetic information, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

Eligible St. Louis County employees earn a competitive salary and benefits package, including :

Paid Holidays

Medical Plan

Dental Plan

Vision Plan

Disability Insurance

Life Insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Retirement Benefits

Deferred Compensation

BIPOC Peer Support Group

Training and Advancement Opportunities

Employee Wellness Program

Employee Assistance Program

Pet Insurance

Benefits are prorated for part-time employees and administered in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement or management compensation plan.

Please type or clearly print your name.

The information you provide related to your education, training, and experience is subject to verification.I understand that giving false information, failing to accurately represent myself, or not providing required documentation as listed on the job announcement will result in disqualification.

Are you legally authorized to work in the United States for St. Louis County?

All employees must be continuously authorized to work in the United States, for St. Louis County. St. Louis County does not provide sponsorship for employment visas, and it does not currently participate in E-Verify. Will you now, or will you in the future, require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status) to work legally for St. Louis County in the United States?

Do you have a valid driver's license?

Do you have a high school diploma or equivalent?

SME Explanation : Questions 8-12 will be reviewed by a Subject Matter Expert (SME). The questions will be scored and used to help determine 100% of your score. For each question please list the organization(s) and / or employers where you gained the experience. All information listed must also be supported in the work experience section of your application.I have read and understand the instructions given above and acknowledge that I understand my score is derived 100% from my answers to supplemental questions 8-12.

Please describe your experience providing services to individuals who identify with communities which have historically been marginalized or excluded based on race, color, creed, national origin, religion, ethnicity, sex, familial status, gender or gender identity, age, physical or neurodiverse abilities, sexual orientations, veteran's status, etc. and how your lived or professional experience has prepared you to effectively provide county services to our diverse community.

A Social Services Specialist in the Public Health & Human Services Department works in a fast-paced environment which includes greeting incoming visitors to the office, transporting people, supervising family visits, collecting information to assess social & economic needs, providing information to individuals and groups regarding eligibility requirements, application procedures and customer rights of financial assistance & community human services programs. Describe your formal education, training and / or work experience that has prepared you for this position.

Describe a situation in which you provided excellent customer service. Include in your answer the situation, the actions you took, and the final outcome.

Describe your paid work experience preparing and maintaining records and written reports. Include in your answer the types of records and reports. Also include organization(s) and position title(s) as listed on application.

Describe your experience working with computer systems and software programs, such as the Microsoft Office suite.

I certify that my responses to the questions above are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Required Question

Salary : $23 - $32