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. The 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 within the Program's assigned business hours (37.5 hrs. per week).

• 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 identified needs through use of County owned and local resource databases, website research, and relationships with existing partners. It is not within the role of a Navicate to pay for or provide goods/services on behalf of a consumer with whom staff have engaged in the capacity as a County employee.
• Facilitates appointments with county and community providers as needed.
• 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 in order to accommodate these events/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.
• Through screening, the Navicate will identify all individuals who meet criteria for Person-Centered counseling, enrolls them as appropriate, and completes all documentation required as outlined by the State Department of Aging.
• 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 next business day. Documentation should demonstrate a minimum of 4.5 service hours per day (22.5/week).
• Participates in weekly resource and staff meetings, individual supervision, HHS All Staff meetings, and any other meetings as scheduled by direct supervisor, Administrator, or member of HHS Leadership.
• Participates in training as required by the Program or the HHS Department. May also participate in elective trainings as desired and approved by direct supervisor.;
• Performs other duties as required or assigned.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• BA/BS in Human Services, Social Work or related field.
• 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.

Highly Desired Skills

• Existing relationship with community partners and/or ability to establish new/ongoing relationships with providers.

• Bilingual Spanish speaker.

The physical demands described 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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; and talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands or arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and depth perception.

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.