Social Worker II/Housing Navigator for Encampment Outreach - Dorothy's Place

Social Worker II/Housing Navigator for Encampment Outreach

EXEMPT: No – full time or part time regular employment 

REPORTS TO: Program Director 

COMPENSATION: $18-$20.00/hour DATE: October 1, 2020 

SUMMARY: The Social Worker II/Housing Navigator is responsible for the development and management of individual  recovery plans for 15-18 chronically homeless adults often experiencing mental illness and addiction, working primarily  inside encampments with a team. The Social Worker II /Housing Navigator is expected to assist the client in a kind, caring  and trauma-informed way to assess, plan, implement, monitor and evaluate actions required to meet the client’s health  and human services needs. Social Worker II/Housing Navigator also has additional responsibilities to mentor and train  first level social workers/Community Health Workers and perform additional administration. 

Our Multidisciplinary Integrated Social/Medical/Mental Health & Housing Outreach Team is the beginning of a regional  approach to serving people entrenched in encampments, folding together social services with housing support, disabilities  support, medical and mental health testing and treatment in the field, and police assistance to people with multiple minor  infractions that limit their access to services. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES include the following as well as other duties that may be assigned: 

• Understand that our clients are most often chronically homeless and have experienced a high and very difficult  degree of trauma throughout their lives. Serve them kindly and without judgement. 
• Adhere to the staffing schedule and the position description developed by the Program Manager/Director to  ensure consistent, safe, and reliable staffing.  
• Coordinate and provide care that is safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable, client-centered, and trauma informed 
• Handle case assignments, draft service plans, review case progress and determine case closure
• Help clients achieve wellness and highest possible degree of self-sufficiency 
• Facilitate multiple care aspects (case coordination, information sharing, etc) 
• Help clients make informed decisions by acting as their advocate regarding their clinical status and treatment  options 
• Develop effective working relations and cooperate with multi-disciplinary teams 
• Arrange abeyances with social services, health and governmental agencies 
• Travel the extra mile and interact with clients to keep track of their progress and to ensure satisfaction
• Record case information, complete accurately all necessary forms, Homeless Management Information System  entries and produce statistical reports 
• Promote quality and cost-effective interventions and outcomes 
• Assess and address motivational and psychosocial issues 
• Adhere to professional standards as outlined by protocols, rules and regulations 
• Accept the advice and supervision of the assigned clinical supervisor 
• Attend weekly All Staff meetings. 
• Attend weekly case management meetings. 
• Attend staff in-service and other trainings. CPR and First Aid training are required with the expectation that each  staff member can perform CPR if necessary. 
• Meet regularly with the Program Manager/Director and clinical supervisor for coordination, clinical review and  mentoring. 
• Mentor and train new social workers (Social Worker I) and advise them on client resources.
• Administratively assist the clinical supervisor in monthly file reviews and audits. Ensure through review and social  worker training that client files are accurate, complete and kept confidential. 

GENERAL JOB PERFORMANCE STANDARDS 

• Knowledge of Work: Possesses and utilizes knowledge of the job which is essential to perform the specific functions and  related work. 
• Quantity of Work: Accomplishes an appropriate volume of satisfactory work under normal conditions. 
• Quality of Work: Consistently demonstrates accuracy, thoroughness, maturity, and dependability. Timeliness: Completes assignments on or ahead of schedule. 
• Ability to Learn New Duties: Interprets, analyzes and responds appropriately in new situations. Develops guidance and  procedures.  
• Training: Keeps core competencies current by participating in skills training. Trains staff. 
• Judgment and Common Sense: Decisions/actions are sound, including safety and risk management. Cooperation: Willing to work with others toward common goals. 
• Communications: Demonstrates relevance and clarity of written and oral expression. Effectiveness in exchanging ideas  and information. 
• Initiative: Ability to originate, develop and create new ideas or take steps to get things done. Problem Solving: Identifies and evaluates alternative solutions and selects the most appropriate course of action. 
• Attendance and Punctuality: Shows daily ability to reliably meet scheduled appointments, arrives on time and prepared  to work, respects others’ time, and sets an example for others. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university in social work, counseling, or psychology or equivalent  combination of education and experience 
• Previous experience and proven consistent success in working with people transitioning out of homelessness
• Previous experience working with people with multiple disabilities 
• Previous management, administrative and/or supervisory experience 
• Language and Communications Skills: 
• Ability to effectively present information both orally and in written format and respond to questions from staff,  guests, residents, government entities, accountancy authorities, service partners and the general public.
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and ability to quickly learn additional applications if required 
• Well organized, self-starter 
• Possesses excellent telephone, electronic, written, and verbal communications skills 
• Spanish-speaking preferred 

Mathematical Skills: 

• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations. 

Reasoning Ability: 

• Ability to define and solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables. Ability to interpret a  variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. 

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

• A deep sense of compassion and understanding for homeless and marginalized individuals
•  A dedication to and practice of social justice  
• Must be mature, even-tempered and team spirited, respectful of the challenges of others, and have tempered  judgment of others  
• Possess passion and enthusiasm for the mission of Franciscan Workers of Junipero Serra 
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and make sound independent decisions 
• Comfortable and knowledgeable in consensus-based decision making and practice of non-violent communication
• Acts ethically, responsibly, and with utmost integrity 

PHYSICAL & SENSORY REQUIREMENTS: 

• Ability to easily climb stairs to a second story 
• Ability to easily bend and lift 20 lb. overhead  
• Ability to read and comprehend administrative documents as well as data on a computer screen
• Ability to hear normal conversations and answer phones 
• Hand, finger and body coordination sufficient to fulfill requirements of the position 
• Ability to stand or sit for extended periods of time

TRAVEL: 

• This job requires routine travel (driving) within the Salinas Valley area and occasional driving and other travel to  perform advocacy tasks and attend training. 

Please send cover letter and resume to: Martin Alvarez, Program Director: martin.alvarez@dorothysplace.org