What are the responsibilities and job description for the Social Worker I/II - Homeless Outreach Services position at Washington County (MN)?
This position is a part of our Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST). This position will provide homeless street outreach throughout Washington County to provide individuals with supplies, referrals and resources to emergency shelters. Additionally, this position will complete homeless and emergency housing assessments, housing stabilization consultations and provide short term case management to coordinate referrals for financial, medical, mental health, substance use and housing resources. This position will work closely with internal Washington County divisions and community-based homeless services providers.
Washington County Community Services values your experiences, perspectives, and unique identity. We are committed to building and sustaining an equitable and inclusive work environment and believe diversity benefits and enriches our programs, our staff, and communities we serve. Bicultural and/or bilingual candidates with close ties to cultural communities such as (but not limited to) American Indian, African American, East African, Hmong, Latinx, are encouraged to apply.
- Experience interacting with and providing services to individuals from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds
- Work experience providing services for individuals with mental health and/or substance use concerns in a government agency
- Work experience providing services for individuals who are homeless or tenuously housed in a governmental agency
- Work experience providing services for individuals with a mental illness and/or chemical dependency concerns in a non-governmental agency
- Work experience with individuals who are homeless or tenuously housed in a non-governmental agency
SELECTION TECHNIQUE: Your training and experience will be rated based on the required application material submitted and the top scoring candidates will be forwarded to the hiring department for further consideration.
HOURS / DAYS: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. Work schedules (hours and days) and location are subject to change based on department needs.
Location: The work location for this position can be negotiated. Teleworking/remote work would be supported by Supervisor.
The Social Worker I is an entry level position responsible for identifying and assessing complex individual, family and community problems and strengths, selecting case work, group methods or community resources and implementing plans to protect vulnerable people, promote independence and prevent abuse or neglect.
A Social Worker I may be assigned duties in any of the following units: Family/Children, Licensing, Chemical Health, Adult Mental Health, Development Disabilities, Adult Family Services, Adult Protection, Minnesota Family Investment Program/WorkForce Center or Housing.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: This position requires a Bachelor's Degree in social work or related field, or equivalent.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: A Master's Degree in Social Work or related field and one year of related experience as a Social Worker is highly desirable.
Bachelor's Degree in Social Work or related field and four years of full-time work experience as a Social Worker in a public human services agency and/or a private human services agency that contracts services with a public human services agency. A Master's Degree in Social Work or related field may substitute for up to one year of required Social Worker experience. Required Social Work experience must have occurred after receipt of Bachelor's Degree.
Additional requirements for specific unit assignments will be identified when a vacancy occurs.
CORE COMPETENCIES CORE COMPETENCIES, JOB SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR SUCCESSFUL JOB PERFORMANCE
Core Competencies outline essential business and professional traits necessary to perform this job.
• Promote a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace;
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles, techniques, practices and ethics of Social Work;
• Demonstrates knowledge of interviewing techniques and skills at conducting interviews;
• Demonstrates knowledge of relevant laws, policies and resources;
• Demonstrates knowledge of social and economic problems and family systems;
• Demonstrates knowledge of legal and court proceedings;
• Demonstrates ability to assess vulnerabilities and strengths of individuals and families;
• Demonstrates ability to develop clear and reasonable services and plans;
• Demonstrates ability to coordinate implementation of services and plans with families, other agencies and the community at large;
• Demonstrates ability to counsel and offer supportive services to individuals and families including those in crisis; and
• Demonstrates ability to apply previously acquired knowledge and skills to complex situations.
Coordinate client intake:
• Receive referrals, conduct interviews and investigate to identify and assess problems or need for intervention/service;
• Develop, write, implement and monitor strength-based individual and family service plans to correct/eliminate identified problems;
• Determine appropriate resources and referrals to community-based care and services; and
• Develop and implement abuse prevention plans to address vulnerabilities.
Determine and implement intervention services:
• Assess risks to self and others (abuse or neglect and dangerousness);
• Intervene in crisis situations;
• Coordinate and secure emergency services; and
• Negotiate and resolve conflicts.
Provide client case management:
• Collaborate and consult with others (professional staff and community agencies) regarding clients, community services or programs;
• Open and maintain client case records and files according to established standards and timelines,
• Prepare necessary correspondence, required narratives, eligibility reviews and other incoming/outgoing communication about the client;
• Provide appropriate information regarding case openings, closings, and denials;
• Provide testimony or written recommendations in county or district court or in administrative appeal hearings regarding client cases;
• Advise clients of possible resources, rights and responsibilities under programs or services; and
• Develop, coordinate and deliver program information to the general public, special interest groups and professional organizations.
Perform other duties as assigned.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Semi-sedentary involving office and outside field work. Lifting requirement may include lifting up to 20 pounds. Exposures may include but not be limited to disagreeable odors, communicable diseases, bodily fluids and behavior challenges. Use of general office equipment to include telephone, cell phone, pager, personal computer, laptop computer, electronic recorder, calculator, etc. Additional physical/mental requirements that occur may not be listed above, but are inherent in performing the position's essential functions.
This job description is intended to describe the kinds of tasks and level of work difficulty being performed by people assigned to this classification. The list of responsibilities is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. The County retains the discretion to add or change the contents of this job description at any time.
Salary : $68,494 - $93,434
