Case Worker & Community Liaison

Work Hours: Monday - Friday - 40 Hours Per Week

Provides social service assistance and case management assistance to eligible clients in the following areas: food, lodging, clothing, furniture, and financial assistance; interviews clients to determine need and eligibility to receive services and conducts home visitations to ensure needs are being met. and prepares accurate and complete client records; refers clients to community agencies and maintains effective working relationships with the same; ensures compliance with program policies and procedures. Serves as liaison to onsite partners; manages in-kind donations process.

Benefits:

• Paid Time Off
• Health Insurance Benefits
• Retirement Benefits

Key Responsibilities:

Social Services Responsibilities (25%)

• Greets and interviews clients requesting assistance to determine client's eligibility for assistance based on program guidelines and restrictions; records clients disposition and other pertinent information such as income, expenses, family and work history; assists clients in completing applications for assistance; photocopies social security cards, picture identification cards, payroll statements, utility bills, etc.
• Prepares, completes and processes food, clothing and furniture vouchers for eligible clients; directs clients to Family Store or Food Pantry for assistance.
• Locates and arranges temporary housing for eligible clients; contacts local lodges, homeless shelters, motels, churches, etc. for lodging.
• Processes rent and utility financial assistance for eligible clients; contacts utility organizations and landlords to arrange and process financial assistance.

Case Management Responsibilities (15%)

• Conducts home visitations when appropriate; ensures that client's living quarters are properly furnished and maintained; contacts appropriate person to facilitate needed repairs; conducts routine inspections of living quarters and grounds.
• Follows up with clients at regularly scheduled intervals to determine if clients maintain housing and financial stability after receiving assistance.
• Refers clients to appropriate Corps programs or other agencies based on clients’ needs and in accordance with their program plan.

Food Pantry Responsibilities (20%)

• Prepares food bags/boxes according to the number of family members; packs food items in boxes and marks boxes accordingly to distribute to clients.
• Receives, inspects and sorts donated food items according to the category and condition; prepares labels for food; packages food.
• Keeps food pantry organized and well-stocked; lifts and carries items to the appropriate destination for distribution to clients.
• Coordinates the retrieval, storage, and distribution of food and commodities for the program; keeps food pantry organized and well-stocked; lifts and carries items to the appropriate destination for distribution to clients.
• Maintains food pantry area in a neat and orderly manner; monitors expiration dates on all food in the pantry; discards outdated or damaged food.
• Determines the appropriate amount of food to order for the program; maintains and organizes an adequate inventory of food and supplies for the Food Program; ensures the supply meets the needs of the program; informs supervisor when supplies are low; prepares records and charts to be used to facilitate/document the distribution of food and supplies to clients.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for food pantry volunteers; trains volunteers on pantry operations and provides day to day support.

Liaison Responsibilities (20%)

• Serves as liaison to partner agencies in order to obtain/coordinate assistance on client's behalf; builds and maintains professional working relationships with community agencies.
• Manages available for office space for onsite partners; schedules onsite partners activities; maintains and communicates weekly onsite partner schedules to program staff and clients.
• Serves as primary point of contact for onsite and collaborative partners; communicates pertinent information to partners to ensure client and program needs are being met.
• Coordinates with corporate partners for in-kind food pantry donations; maintains list of food pantry program needs; communicates needs list to corporate partners.

Administrative Responsibilities (20%)

• Inputs client information to database accurately and in accordance with established timelines and procedures; prepares and files client records in a timely manner ensuring all information is accurate and up-to-date; obtains signatures of clients as needed; reviews and tracks all client records in order to determine if client is active or inactive; maintains confidentiality of client information.
• Prepares and maintains statistical records on all services provided; compiles and prepares monthly statistical reports; ensures the accuracy and completeness of the same.
• Answers telephone in a courteous and tactful manner; assists clients by providing accurate and complete information regarding the Social Service Program operations and/or services.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of effective and efficient methods for organizing and maintaining records and ability to perform the same.
• Knowledge of social service practices and principles.
• Skill in Microsoft Word and Excel applications with the ability to effectively create and maintain Spreadsheets.
• Ability to interview clients in order to evaluate and serve their needs.
• Ability to determine client eligibility for program assistance based on specific program guidelines and restrictions.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with the public and community agencies.
• Ability to prepare accurate and complete client records, reports and statistics.
• Ability to present a positive and professional image of The Salvation Army.
• Ability to cultivate and maintain effective relationships with a diverse group of people and remain sensitive to their concerns.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to meet attendance requirements.
• Ability to read, write and communicate the English language effectively.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations.
• Ability to type and keypunch information into a computer.
• Ability to sort and file documents alphabetically and numerically.
• Ability to operate various general office equipment including a telephone, computer and adding machine.
• Duties are usually performed seated. Sitting may be relieved by brief or occasional periods of standing or walking.
• Limited amount of physical effort required associated with walking, standing, lifting and carrying light objects (up to 25 lbs.) occasionally.
• Working Conditions:
• Work is performed in a normal office environment where there are little or no physical discomforts associated with changes in weather or discomforts associated with noise, dust, dirt, and the like.

Education and Experience:
Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Behavioral Science, or a related field; with a Bachelor’s degree preferred,
and

Two years experience working in a social or public service environment with experience assisting the public,

or

any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Certifications:
None.

Equal Opportunity Employment: Veterans | Disabled