ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Crisis Prevention and Intervention Support (approximately 30%):
Provides nonclinical crisis de-escalation, emotional support, and stabilization to individuals in distress, under the direction of the Social Work Clinical Manager. Conducts follow-up contacts with individuals and families after crisis events to ensure continuity of care and connection to services. Receives and responds to referrals from Fire/EMS Neighborhood Paramedic, Police officers, code enforcement, and community partners; participates in co-response activities as directed. Conducts nonclinical intake assessments; assists the Social Work Clinical Manager in developing and implementing service plans for residents with complex needs including housing instability, behavioral health challenges, domestic instability, and social isolation. Performs needs and risk screening; identifies individuals at risk for crisis through community engagement, outreach, and pattern recognition. Provides mentoring, motivation, guidance and emotional support to program participants across the lifespan.
Benefits Navigation and Resource Connection (approximately 30%):
Assists residents in identifying eligibility for and applying to public benefits programs including Medicaid, SNAP, HEAP/PIPP, TANF, SSI/SSDI, WIC, and Veterans benefits. Helps residents complete applications, gather required documentation, and navigate Cuyahoga County Department of Job and Family Services and state eligibility systems. Conducts on site benefits screenings at Cove Community Center and at community events; tracks applications submitted and successful enrollments. Coordinates referrals to community partners including Lakewood Community Services Center, LakewoodAlive, Neighborhood Family Practice, Signature Health, and other Lakewood and Cuyahoga County based organizations; follows up to ensure residents successfully connect with services. Accompanies and transports clients to appointments, application offices, and service providers as needed. Maintains current knowledge of available benefits, eligibility requirements, application processes, and changes to federal, state, and local assistance programs.
Community Engagement and Outreach (approximately 25%):
Plans, coordinates, and facilitates community engagement programming at Cove Community Center, including community meals, wellness events, and connection activities that serve as entry points for service identification and benefits screening. Conducts proactive outreach throughout the Lakewood community to identify and engage residents who may not independently seek services, with particular attention to underserved populations including isolated older adults, immigrant and refugee families, and LGBTQIA+ residents. Develops and distributes informational materials, multilingual resource guides, emergency shelter information, and navigation tools about available programs and services. Represents the Department of Human Services at community events, neighborhood meetings, partner agency gatherings, and public forums. Collaborates with the Division of Aging, Division of Youth, and Division of Early Childhood on cross-divisional and intergenerational initiatives. Serves as a liaison and/or member of various committees/teams and collaborates, persuades, presents reports to and negotiates/networks with others outside own work area to coordinate efforts and maintain cooperative and efficient relations.
Administrative and Documentation (approximately 15%):
Maintains accurate client records, case notes, progress notes, statistics and other correspondence related to work processes. Collects and reports program data on services provided, referrals made, benefits enrolled, community event attendance, and outcomes achieved for department leadership, grant compliance, and partner reporting. Participates in interdepartmental collaboration meetings with Fire/EMS, Police, LakewoodAlive, and other city departments and community partners. Completes administrative and clerical functions for office and program; reports administrative and/or operational problems to the Director. Interviews, screens, greets visitors and directs them to the appropriate area or individual; may answer various inquiries personally, provides information on departmental services and functions. Maintains and upgrades professional knowledge, skills, and development by attending seminars and training programs and reading trade and professional journals and publications; makes presentations at workshops. Follows up on inquiries from various agencies, groups, media, etc., regarding department programs and services. Participates in process improvement learning and projects. Works efficiently and effectively while implementing principles of continuous process improvement.
MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT USED:
General Office Equipment Computer Audiovisual Equipment Vehicle Mobile Phone/Tablet
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
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Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Public Health, or a closely related field; and,
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Two years of progressively responsible related experience in human services, community outreach, crisis intervention, or benefits navigation; or,
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Associate's degree in a related field and four years of progressively responsible related experience in human services, community outreach, crisis intervention, or benefits navigation; or,
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Any combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
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Valid Ohio driver's license with less than 8 points.
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CPR/First Aid certification, or ability to obtain within six months of hire.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Employee may be required to work overtime pursuant to the provisions of Article 5 and Article 15 of the current negotiated agreement. Applicants may be reassigned as required. Work is performed at Cove Community Center, in residents' homes, at community event locations, and at partner agency sites. The incumbent regularly works in the field conducting outreach, home visits, and community engagement activities, with exposure to outdoor temperatures and varying environments. The incumbent is exposed to potentially violent or agitated persons when performing the essential functions of the position, including individuals experiencing behavioral health crises, substance use, or domestic instability. The incumbent's working conditions are typically moderately quiet in the office but may be loud at community event locations.
