POSITION TITLE: Project and Resource Specialist

CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt

DEPARTMENT: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

SUPERVISOR: Site Manager

GRADE: NE 12 $23.00 ($47,840) - $34.50 ($71,760)

Position Summary:

The Washoe Native TANF Program (WNTP) helps, supports, and prepare families to meet the challenges of achieving self-sufficiency by providing essential assistance, support services, and resources that will empower participants to succeed in reaching their full potential. WNTP’s vision is to inspire independence through cultural engagement, knowledge, and resiliency.

Under direct supervision of the Site Manager, the Project and Resource Specialist is responsible for developing, coordinating, and implementing a variety of community prevention and family strengthening programs, including but not limited to life skills, out-of-wedlock pregnancy prevention, family formation, cultural activities, parenting, and positive youth development activities for Washoe Native TANF Program (WNTP) and WNTP “Other Eligible” participants. The Project and Resource Specialist will train and assist staff and community members with Project Proposals, planning, and tracking outcomes. Ensures program compliance to the approved Tribal Family Assistance Plan; State and Federal laws, regulations, policies, and procedures specific to Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Assistance. Maintains confidentiality of all privileged information.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Maintains familiarity and knowledge of the Washoe Native TANF Program (WNTP) requirements in the areas of participant eligibility and project proposals as defined in the Tribal Family Assistance Plan, 45 CFR 286.
• Effectively and respectfully represents the WNTP in contacts with the public, community organizations, and other government agencies.
• Maintain effective communication with WNTP management team and collaborate with other WNTP staff regularly.
• Establishes and maintains respectful cooperative working relationship with Washoe TANF clientele, Washoe TANF staff, Tribal communities, employers, and outside service providers.
• Assists with providing participant orientation on WNTP services by explaining the Native TANF application process, procedures and services to clients.
• Works closely with the Case Manager and Employment Coordinator to focus program services toward identified participant needs based on family self-sufficiency plans, educational plans, vocational plans and home visits.
• Act as a liaison between participant and community partners and agencies to assist participant in obtaining services.
• Communicates to participants regarding available resources.
• Responsible for entering participant data into case files and electronic database.
• Ensures complete and accurate input of information required for the WNTP electronic database management system
• Transports participants to agencies as needed.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned, as applicable to the job description.

Community Outreach and Collaboration:

• Attends regularly scheduled tribal community meetings to represent WNTP and provide program updates and coordination of classes/programs.
• Arranges activities including workshops, classes, presentations, and other collaborative community efforts.
• Manages project/programming communications through newsletters, media relations, social media, and other faucets to advertise events/activities to increase attendance and ensure program success.
• Conducts outreach and presentations within the tribal communities and community partners/organizations.

Project Proposals:

• Develops and maintains a tracking system to ensure that “Other Eligible” individuals and TANF participants are eligible to participate in WNTP projects/activities.
• Maintains records including tracking of measurable outcomes, prepares and tracks program proposals through the necessary routing process including assigning project tracking numbers. Tracks, Manages and Reports project proposals and project outcomes and oversees projects from beginning to closeout.
• Maintains project budgets and tracks expenditures and transactions.
• Identifies errors and recommends corrective actions that can improve future events/activities.
• Provides backup support at various events and activities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associates Degree in Human Services or related field and two years of experience developing, monitoring, or evaluating community events and/or events for TANF services; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of history and culture of the Washoe Tribe of Nevada & California customs and tradition.
• Collaborates with community partners to provide culturally relevant events and activities.
• Knowledge of and ability to interpret applicable federal, state, county, and local, tribal laws, regulations, ordinances, legislation, and requirements specific to Tribal TANF.
• Incorporates the four TANF purposes in addressing issues related to job readiness, employment counseling, life skills development, family formation and early pregnancy prevention in activities.
• Knowledge of and ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and written using proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Knowledge of the economic, educational, health and social challenges of Native Americans.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with individuals of diverse cultures, ethnic and socioeconomic status while always maintaining cultural sensitivity.
• Skill in interacting with people in all social, economic, cultural, spiritual and emotional places.
• Interacts directly with the public and targeted populations as a spokesperson for the Washoe Native TANF Program.
• Provides a high level of customer service with the ability to work independently, respond to requests in a timely manner, and meets strict timelines.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects efficiently and effectively.
• Develops, manages, implements and evaluates budgets for projects.
• Ability to analyze problems, collect data, establish facts, identify solutions, implement recommendations, draw valid conclusions, make solid decisions, and exercise independent judgement.
• Ability to prepare accurate, complete, and legible written reports.
• Skill in operating business computers and office machines, including in a Windows environment, specifically Word, Excel, Access, and presentation software (such as PowerPoint).

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to sit; use hands and fingers, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk. The employee occasionally is required to stand; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and occasionally drive to various sites for case reviews, meetings or training. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment:

Work is generally performed in an office setting with a moderate noise level. The employee may occasionally travel between office sites and may be requested to assist with community events, training/office coverage which may require nights, weekends and/or overnight stays with minimum notice.

The Washoe Tribe of Nevada & California requires a background check of each new hire for employment purposes. Therefore, all conditionally offered positions will be subject to the following:

• Negative alcohol and drug screen
• Meet requirements of Public Law 101-630
• Obtain or possess a valid driver’s license for either the state of Nevada or California within 30 days
• Must be insurable under the Washoe Tribe’s driving policy
• Preference given to qualified Native American Indians.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associates Degree in Human Services or related field and two years of experience developing, monitoring, or evaluating community events and/or events for TANF services; or equivalent combination of education and experience.