The Aspen School District is seeking a full-time Aspen Community Connections Adult Resource Navigator
Position Title: Aspen Community Connections Adult Resource Navigator
Program: Aspen Community Connections
Coalition: Aspen Family Connections
Reports to: Aspen Family Connections Director
Classification: Classified, Full-time, Exempt
Contract Period: 233 days yearly
Compensation: $75,000.00 yearly
ASD offers district funded employee and dependent health benefits including medical, vision, dental, and life insurance to benefit eligible employees. Other benefits include (as eligible): paid leave, CO PERA (pension plan) enrollment with district contribution, TSA options, free transportation for employees from Carbondale to Aspen or a commuter stipend for any employee living beyond Carbondale, employee assistance program, wellness program, and supplemental insurance (ie cancer, disability, etc).
Purpose and Overview:
Aspen Community Connections offers adults living and working in the community a voluntary process of collaborative problem-solving, resource navigation, and prioritization of efforts for individuals managing a wide range of challenges and circumstances. The approach is strength-based, preventive, confidential, and judgment-free—values and practices consistent with its parent organization, Aspen Family Connections.
The Aspen Community Connections Adult Resource Navigator will work with adults in Pitkin County to provide navigation, resources, and community connections in order to support individual well-being. This position will work as part of the larger Aspen Family Connections team, supported by a collaborative group of adult-serving entities and specialist teams within the County. While the Navigator serves as the main link for community resource navigation, partner entities support the broader coordinated resource navigation network.
Position Summary:
The Adult Resource Navigator is responsible for conducting outreach and responding to adults in the community, providing quick, streamlined assessments to connect individuals to mental health and other necessary resources. The role focuses on short to medium-term support; if an adult’s needs are better met by another resource or case manager within the system, a warm handoff is executed. Key responsibilities include establishing, communicating, and maintaining clear boundaries regarding the scope of support provided (relatively short-term and goal-focused). The position is not intended to provide long-term intervention for higher-acuity individuals, who are better supported by specialized community entities.
Responsibilities:
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Identify and establish opportunities to inform and engage adults (both individually and in groups) in a range of community settings about the role and services provided by Aspen Community Connections, building awareness of the program and relationships of trust
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Work with the AFC Director to develop a referral process, collateral materials for the community and an outreach strategy
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Participate in the collaborative process of identifying resources and in problem-solving during the course of meetings with adults
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Be immersed and well-versed in service providers and opportunities and maintain relationships with partners to provide up-to-date and accurate information to adults by convening/participating in a collaborative group of adult-serving entities
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Create meaningful plans of action on behalf of clients, identifying their goals, and indicating timelines and allocation of responsibility for ongoing action, as appropriate
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Provide engaged, compassionate first-line contact to adults seeking support for mental health challenges or other needs
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Follow up with clients in a planned way to ensure that resources have been appropriately accessed and planned outcomes initiated and delivered.
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Collect data that supports evidence-based care and can improve navigation support
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Support AFC case managers who have adult family member clients who would benefit from extra support
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Observe the highest standards of confidentiality at all times and in all dealings
Expectations:
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Work with partners to develop opportunities for engagement in the communityWork towards the development of a peer to peer program to build a natural support system for adults in different settings to mentor and support each other
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Work closely with the AFC Director and collaborative partners
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Convene an oversight group to meet periodically, of specialists and service providers, including: AFC, Pitkin County Department of Public Health (including Behavioral Health Facilitator), Pitkin County Department of Human Services (including Adult Caseworker), Response, PACT, Recovery Resources, Housing Navigator, Recovery Resources etc)
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Maintain records and documentation
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Maintain a warm, engaged and personable approach and help adults seeking support to feel supported
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Be punctual and provide timely follow-up
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Capable of handling a busy and often-changing day-to-day schedule
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Maintain a self-starter attitude and be a problem solver and team collaborator
Qualifications
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Bachelor’s degree or a demonstrable combination of education, training, work history and experience
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Experience delivering case management, resource navigation, or direct support within a human services setting
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Proven track record of successfully engaging adults and families, assessing needs, and connecting them to community resources through home- or field-based support
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Strong commitment to meeting adults "where they are"—socially, emotionally, culturally, and geographically—using an empathetic, non-judgmental approach.
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Professional fluency in Spanish (verbal and written) or fully bilingual in English/Spanish to effectively communicate and build trust with community members.
Work Environment
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Office environment; exposure to computer screens
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Involves spending time in other community settings
Essential Physical Requirements
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Physical: Reaching, walking, standing, sitting, typing, talking, crouching, kneeling, seeing, and hearing. Lifting up to 25 pounds.
VII: Acknowledgement
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This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. The successful candidate will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the Director. The Aspen School District reserves the right to update, revise, or change this job description and related duties at any time.
