Navicate Caseworker

This position acts as a Navicate in the Office of Community Connections who is responsible for effectively and efficiently assessing clients for needed county and community services utilizing exceptional customer service skills, the caseworker will identify, refer and provide monitoring as necessary to ensure the identified needs are addressed. Community Connections functions as the "front door" to all possible county services and resources, and Navicates act as a generalist social service practitioner providing assessment, consultation, and support on any range of community issues/needs. Under some circumstances, Navicate may act as a case manager until other ongoing supports are connected; therefore, prior case management experience is highly desired. This work will typically occur in a county office or at remote setting as approved by Program leadership. The Community Connections Office operates from 7:00am-7:00pm M-F. To ensure essential functions are met, schedules may shift as needed to provide uninterrupted coverage, including evening, nights, weekend, and/or holidays. Overtime may be required to cover operational hours.

Reports directly to OCC Navicate Supervisor

* Utilizes a standardized assessment form, conducts face-to-face or phone interviews with clients and identifies needed county and community services.
* Identifies and provides accurate information and referrals for goods and services to clients based upon needs through use of County owned and local resource databases, website research, and relationships with existing partners.
* Participates in local collaboratives, provider meetings, and outreach opportunities (including expansion site efforts), within their local community and/or through the county to educate the community on the mission of and services provided by of the Department of Health & Human Services. This may require occasional evening and/or weekend hours, transportation of promotional materials to locations in the community and that staff "flex" their customary work schedule to accommodate these activities.
* Develops partnerships within the community to understand the unique needs of the individuals and families in order to understand challenges serving the community.
* Provides follow-up services in accordance with policy and procedure to ensure client has contacted provider and is receiving needed services or if further advocacy is required by the Navicate.
* Provides advocacy on behalf of client to resolve any service delivery issues that may have been encountered.
* Becomes certified in Person Centered Counseling (PCC) by the end of the probationary period. Following the Office's operating procedures Navicate will conduct thorough screening and assessment protocols, to enroll all individuals who meet criteria for Person-Centered counseling and complete service as required by the State Department of Aging.
* Completes training in Coordinated Entry (specialized intake line for those experiencing homelessness) to serve as backup/support to the Coordinated Entry program by the end of the probationary period.
* Completes documentation as outlined by the program using the required county data system. If not done concurrently, documentation is to be completed by the end of the business day. Documentation should demonstrate a minimum of 4.5 service hours per day (22.5/week) working on behalf of a consumer.
* Participates in weekly resource and staff meetings, individual supervision, HHS All Staff meetings, and any other meetings as scheduled by direct supervisor, Administrator, County or HHS.
* Participates in training as required by the Program, County or the HHS Department. May also participate in elective trainings as desired and approved by direct supervisor.
* Performs all other duties as assigned within the scope and range of job responsibilities. However, may assist other County Departments as requested by Office Administrator or County Leadership.

Education and Credentials
* BA/BS in Human Services, Social Work or related field.
* Valid Driver's license necessary to drive or have reliable transportation to any of the Montgomery County facilities.

Experience and Skills
* Ability to deliver services with understanding of a wide array of others' personal preferences, choices, values, belief systems, cultural and language differences.
* Knowledge of Montgomery County Department of Health & Human Services programs; state and local community resources and criminal justice system.
* Experience working with client data management systems, referral guides, and internet searches.
* Experience in recovery-oriented service, providing trauma informed care and utilizing motivational interviewing.
* Excellent written communication, organization, and time management skills;
* Existing relationship with community partners and/or ability to establish new/ongoing relationships with providers.
* Ability to occasionally work into evening hours or weekends.
* Bilingual Spanish speaker is highly desirable.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements
* This work will typically occur in a county office where staff will be exposed to prolonged sitting, standing, walking and repeated use of a keyboard. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and depth perception.
* This work may also occur in a remote setting which may be outside in heat or cold temperatures. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds when conducting outreach (tabling activities).
* The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
* To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.