Community Outreach Social Worker

Apply online at Minnesota Merit System by October 24, 2024, at 4:30 p.m.

SALARY RANGE: $35.21 to $46.36 DOQ
POSITION TITLE: Community Outreach Social Worker
DEPARTMENT: Health and Human Services
POSITION STATUS: Full-time; MN Teamsters Local 320
JOB LOCATION: Chisago County Government Center
POSITION OBJECTIVE:
The Community Outreach Social Worker has a focus on community-based care coordination working closely with targeted populations in collaboration with Law Enforcement agencies. Through community-based care coordination this position will provide support to at-risk clients as they navigate the health care and social service systems. This position aims to increase access to support services, improve the quality and cultural competence of their care, and increase their health knowledge and self-management skills of underserved populations. The Community Outreach Social Worker has knowledge and understanding of Chisago County and is equipped to bridge barriers related to accessing resources and services. This position requires traveling throughout the community working with varied populations, oftentimes in client's homes, or community establishments.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Social Services Supervisor
SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
No supervisory duties
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: I. Provide case management services Discretion A % 80

1. 1. The Community Outreach Social Worker must have an ongoing awareness of the community resources and evidence-based practice that could potentially be useful to the adult client and be able to develop positive relationships with providers in order to ensure access and quality services.
   2. The Community Outreach Social Worker will offer services to those referred by Law Enforcement agencies.
   3. The Community Outreach Social worker will provide release planning duties with persons referred from the Chisago County Jail.
   4. The Community Outreach Social worker will connect with clients in their homes or other community-based locations to access their social, medical, chemical dependency, employment, housing, financial or other social needs.
   5. The Community Outreach Social worker provides communication support and acts as a client advocate on issues of access and use of medical, social, and other services.
   6. The Community Outreach Social worker may support clients to access healthcare or social services appointments, may attend appointments with clients, facilitate paperwork completion, ensure instructions are understood, and that progress towards self-sufficiency is being achieved.
   7. The Community Outreach Social worker ensures the privacy and security of Protected Health Information as outlined in Health and Human Services policies and procedures relating to HIPAA compliance.
   8. Client interactions are documented in a timely and thorough manner. Interactions may consist of assessment, planning, referral, linkage and evaluation of delivery, appropriateness, and effectiveness of services over time.
   9. The Community Outreach Social worker will attend community meetings and trainings as needed and actively participate in agency and team meetings.
   10. May provide Rule 79 Case Management services and Adult Protection response as required.
   11. May assist with Intake eligibility activities.

II. Miscellaneous Discretion B % 20

1. Participate in training and educational workshops
2. Receive other work assignments as requested
3. Work hours may be irregular or may be required outside of normal business hours, evenings and/or weekends.
4. Make case presentations to appropriate review/authorization committees.
5. Demonstrates knowledge and adherence to Minnesota Data Practices/HIPAA and other statues/policies and procedures directed at safeguarding client information.
6. Follows county and departmental policies and procedures when working for Chisago County.
7. Employee must have demonstrated ability to work effectively and efficiently in a wide variety of computer programs and systems.
8. Monitors and maintains data reporting with accuracy and integrity.
9. Always keeps and Maintains Automobile Insurance and valid Driver's License.
10. Maintains complete case record, including timely case notes.
11. Completes time reporting, in timely fashion.
12. Other duties as assigned.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience

1. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university with a major in social work with a supervised field placement providing case management services to individuals and families, or
2. A master's or bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university with a major in psychology, sociology or closely related field, one to three years of experience in a human service setting, or
3. A master's degree in social work from an accredited college/university with a supervised field placement providing case management and/or counseling services to individuals and families.

The incumbent must participate in a minimum of 15 hours per year of continuing education or in-
service training as outlined in Minn. Stat. 626.559 as well as training required to follow MN Rule 79. Mental Health Professional licensure is not required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Considerable knowledge of the principles and techniques of interviewing and recording in social work and the ability to apply them.
2. Considerable knowledge of individual and group behavior.
3. Considerable knowledge of social casework objectives, principles and methods.
4. Considerable knowledge of the causative factors leading to social maladjustment.
5. Considerable knowledge of family systems and dynamics.
6. Considerable knowledge of physical and mental illness and their impact on personality and intersection with the criminal justice system.
7. Considerable knowledge of social-economic factors, which promote stable family life and understanding of the elements, which affect family security.
8. Knowledge of relevant federal, state, and local laws and regulations pertaining to social services.
9. Knowledge of the principles of community organization.
10. Ability to communicate with and understand the problems faced by families from all cultural and economic levels.
11. Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with clients, relatives, and the public.
12. Ability to effectively apply casework knowledge and skills.
13. Ability to work constructively within an agency or community setting in effectively developing and utilizing appropriate resources and services to meet special needs.
14. Ability to analyze complex situations and evaluate potential for improvement.
15. Ability to manage time productively.
16. Ability to prioritize caseloads.
17. Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
18. Proficiency in keyboarding.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:
Telephone, copier, computer, automobile, fax machine, Dictaphone.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands describe here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The work environment is a combination of an office setting and out in the homes. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to walk; use hands and arms, to operate, handle or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee will reach with arms and hands. Occasionally the employee is required to climb, bend, stoop and/or crawl.
The employee will occasionally lift, and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distant vision and the ability to adjust focus.
The employee must be able to drive and operate a vehicle.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
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 functions.
The work environment is a combination of the office, the client's home, and the Chisago County jail. When out of the office the employee may be subject to adverse weather such as hot and wet and/or humid in the summer and cold and wet in the other seasons. The noise level can range from moderately quiet in the office to loud and noisy in the field.
The employee occasionally may be exposed to contagious diseases and parasites and/or potentially violent individuals or domestic animals.
GENERAL STATEMENT:
Applicants for appointment to this position will be required to submit a formal application and may be subject to rating of education and experience, oral interview and/or reference check. Job related tests may be required of any applicant. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
JOB RANK:
Grade 13 Points
Effective Date: 07/24/23 Revision History: 10/9/2024
(ADA)