What are the responsibilities and job description for the Social Services Specialist position at City of Berkeley?
Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccine Policy
As a condition of employment, all newly-hired or re-hired employees must be fully vaccinated and must report their vaccination status to the City of Berkeley before their first day of employment. The City may condition an offer of employment upon proof of full vaccination and the candidate’s satisfaction of the City’s vaccine reporting requirement or upon the employee’s notification that they require a reasonable accommodation that prevents them from becoming fully vaccinated based upon medical necessity or religious belief and the City’s confirmation that it can accommodate the candidate without undue hardship to the City.
The City of Berkeley's Health, Housing, and Community Services Department is currently seeking applicants for the position of Social Services Specialist. The Health Department’s mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals and families in the City of Berkeley through innovative policies, effective services and strong community partnerships. The department has been dedicated to improving the quality of life in Berkeley for over 100 years. We are doctors, nurses, clinicians, practitioners, health educators, program administrators, analysts, inspectors, support staff, volunteers, and other dedicated individuals with a common goal – to deliver effective and innovative programs and services that ensure the health and well-being of our community.
Social Services Specialists are journey-level positions, fully competent to perform skilled level case management services and community outreach. Incumbents in this class are expected to perform a wide range of outreach, assessment, research and networking services. Incumbents are provided general direction and use broad discretion and make independent judgment within overall policy guidelines established by the department. Incumbents provide lead direction and training to paraprofessional and/or clerical staff. Case and clinical oversight are provided by licensed department staff.
Typical duties include:
In the Mental Health Division, Social Services Specialist perform the following types of services:
Equivalent to possession of four (4) years of college with major coursework in social work, psychology, community health or a closely related field from an accredited college or university
AND
Experience
Two years of experience in community organization, social services, health or a related field, with demonstrated experience in providing individualized client service coordination. Progressively responsible related experience may be substituted for the college coursework on a year for year basis.
Other Requirements:
Must be able to travel to various locations within and outside of Berkeley to meet program needs and to fulfill the job responsibilities. When driving on City business, incumbents must have a valid California driver's license as well as a satisfactory driving record. Must successfully complete required program trainings and certifications, which may include a background check.Knowledge of: Techniques and principles of client assessment, client interviewing, service-plan development, service plan implementation, and client monitoring; principles and techniques of providing courteous and effective customer service to a diverse population; social, economic, health and safety issues facing high risk populations and related dynamics of human behavior; community and government services, agencies and social services resources including how to access, consult, and refer clients to them; applicable city, state, and federal guidelines and laws affecting client services and confidentiality; and basic leadership, teamwork, and training principles.
Ability to: Provide culturally appropriate and responsive services to diverse client population to meet identified needs; communicate effectively to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of diverse clients; assess and re-evaluate the effectiveness of service plans, including making modifications as necessary to meet client needs; build and maintain collaborative partnerships with community based organizations, government agencies, and other City departments to optimize effectiveness of referrals; utilize community and governmental agency resources effectively to assist clients with social, health and behavioral health, recreational, and educational needs; conduct community outreach to identify citizens in need of programs and services, and to identify community resources.; prepare and maintain clear, concise, complete, and timely written reports and other written correspondence, in accordance with program requirements; gather and analyze quantitative and qualitative data, and use it to support appropriate recommendations and referrals; organize complex work-flow and service needs and demonstrate strong problem-solving skills; and proficiently use work-related computer applications such as Microsoft Windows, Word, Outlook, Excel, database management and related billing system to effectively manage work.
The examination process will consist of:
The examination process will consist of a review of applications for minimum qualifications for the position and to ensure all materials have been submitted. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that hiring department(s) will use to conduct final selection interviews. Hiring Department(s) will contact applicants directly if selected to participate in their hiring/selection process.
Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City should expect to undergo an employment background / reference check that may include, but is not limited to: employment history, confirmation of educational credentials and degrees, licenses including driver's license, registrations, certificates, and other credentials as part of the appointment process. Some positions, depending on the nature of the work, also require a credit check and a review of Summary Criminal History obtained from the State Department of Justice through Live Scan Fingerprinting.
As a condition of employment, all newly-hired or re-hired employees must be fully vaccinated and must report their vaccination status to the City of Berkeley before their first day of employment. The City may condition an offer of employment upon proof of full vaccination and the candidate’s satisfaction of the City’s vaccine reporting requirement or upon the employee’s notification that they require a reasonable accommodation that prevents them from becoming fully vaccinated based upon medical necessity or religious belief and the City’s confirmation that it can accommodate the candidate without undue hardship to the City.
The City of Berkeley's Health, Housing, and Community Services Department is currently seeking applicants for the position of Social Services Specialist. The Health Department’s mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals and families in the City of Berkeley through innovative policies, effective services and strong community partnerships. The department has been dedicated to improving the quality of life in Berkeley for over 100 years. We are doctors, nurses, clinicians, practitioners, health educators, program administrators, analysts, inspectors, support staff, volunteers, and other dedicated individuals with a common goal – to deliver effective and innovative programs and services that ensure the health and well-being of our community.
Social Services Specialists are journey-level positions, fully competent to perform skilled level case management services and community outreach. Incumbents in this class are expected to perform a wide range of outreach, assessment, research and networking services. Incumbents are provided general direction and use broad discretion and make independent judgment within overall policy guidelines established by the department. Incumbents provide lead direction and training to paraprofessional and/or clerical staff. Case and clinical oversight are provided by licensed department staff.
Typical duties include:
- Provides outreach services to community residents, both directly and through community organizations;
- Provides case management services to a caseload of assigned clients, including performing initial and periodic client assessments and developing and implementing person-centered service plans for a wide range of child, family and adult clients; and providing follow-up services;
- Assesses the effectiveness of case plans, and modifies plans in coordination with client to meet client needs;
- Provides service coordination with diverse community agencies and groups in the community, clinical and home settings; may function as a member of a multi-disciplinary team for support of scheduled and unscheduled clients;
- Acts as a liaison between service providers and clients needing services;
- Performs enrollment services for clients;
- Attends case conferences and presents at peer review sessions to review client cases and resolve challenging service problems;
- Organizes and conducts groups in support of service plan goals;
- Recruits, interviews, selects, trains, orients and directs the work of assigned volunteers and interns;
- Maintains current knowledge of public benefits and community resources, and researches and coordinates relevant services to meet client needs;
- Completes all documentation required for program reimbursement and compliance
- Maintains detailed client records and documentation on client assessments, plans and visits, and prepares a variety of reports for review; and
- Performs related duties as assigned.
In the Mental Health Division, Social Services Specialist perform the following types of services:
- Case management for adults with serious mental illness
- Case management for children and youth with serious emotional disturbances
- Outreach and treatment for homeless individuals
- Peer specialists for individuals with serious mental illness
- Family specialist providing supports for family members of individuals with serious mental illness
- Connecting individuals not getting mental health services to treatment.
- Leading support groups and other wellness activities.
- Targeted case management for Berkeley residents 55 and over
- Information and referral services to seniors, family members, caregivers, community members
- Caregiver consultations
- Community presentations and outreach regarding various senior services
- Resource development and organization
Equivalent to possession of four (4) years of college with major coursework in social work, psychology, community health or a closely related field from an accredited college or university
AND
Experience
Two years of experience in community organization, social services, health or a related field, with demonstrated experience in providing individualized client service coordination. Progressively responsible related experience may be substituted for the college coursework on a year for year basis.
Other Requirements:
Must be able to travel to various locations within and outside of Berkeley to meet program needs and to fulfill the job responsibilities. When driving on City business, incumbents must have a valid California driver's license as well as a satisfactory driving record. Must successfully complete required program trainings and certifications, which may include a background check.Knowledge of: Techniques and principles of client assessment, client interviewing, service-plan development, service plan implementation, and client monitoring; principles and techniques of providing courteous and effective customer service to a diverse population; social, economic, health and safety issues facing high risk populations and related dynamics of human behavior; community and government services, agencies and social services resources including how to access, consult, and refer clients to them; applicable city, state, and federal guidelines and laws affecting client services and confidentiality; and basic leadership, teamwork, and training principles.
Ability to: Provide culturally appropriate and responsive services to diverse client population to meet identified needs; communicate effectively to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of diverse clients; assess and re-evaluate the effectiveness of service plans, including making modifications as necessary to meet client needs; build and maintain collaborative partnerships with community based organizations, government agencies, and other City departments to optimize effectiveness of referrals; utilize community and governmental agency resources effectively to assist clients with social, health and behavioral health, recreational, and educational needs; conduct community outreach to identify citizens in need of programs and services, and to identify community resources.; prepare and maintain clear, concise, complete, and timely written reports and other written correspondence, in accordance with program requirements; gather and analyze quantitative and qualitative data, and use it to support appropriate recommendations and referrals; organize complex work-flow and service needs and demonstrate strong problem-solving skills; and proficiently use work-related computer applications such as Microsoft Windows, Word, Outlook, Excel, database management and related billing system to effectively manage work.
Applicants must submit the following:
- CITY OF BERKELEY EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION
- RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE
All materials must be received in our office no later than the closing date, at 5:00 p.m. PST. Postmarks, faxes and incomplete applications will not be accepted. Resumes are not a substitute for a completed application.
The examination process will consist of:
The examination process will consist of a review of applications for minimum qualifications for the position and to ensure all materials have been submitted. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that hiring department(s) will use to conduct final selection interviews. Hiring Department(s) will contact applicants directly if selected to participate in their hiring/selection process.
Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City should expect to undergo an employment background / reference check that may include, but is not limited to: employment history, confirmation of educational credentials and degrees, licenses including driver's license, registrations, certificates, and other credentials as part of the appointment process. Some positions, depending on the nature of the work, also require a credit check and a review of Summary Criminal History obtained from the State Department of Justice through Live Scan Fingerprinting.
DISCLAIMER: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content. Components may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any particular assessment component or combination of components as needs dictate.
All City employees are required to provide services as Disaster Service Workers in the event of an emergency / disaster.
Exam Access Accommodation: In compliance with local, state and federal laws and regulations, the City of Berkeley will employ and promote qualified individuals without regard to disability. The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must do so no later than the final filing date for receipt of applications, otherwise it may not be possible to arrange accommodations for the selection process. Such requests should be addressed to the Department of Human Resources | (510) 981-6800| hr@cityofberkeley.info | 2180 Milvia Street, 1st Floor, Berkeley CA 94704.
Alternative Application Formats: This application material is available in alternative formats upon request. Alternative formats include audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc. Please contact the ADA Coordinator, 2180 Milvia Street, Berkeley | Phone: (510) 981-6300 | TTY: (510) 981-6347| ADA@cityofberkeley.info and allow 7-10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.
The City of Berkeley is an EEO/ADA Employer.
Exam Access Accommodation: In compliance with local, state and federal laws and regulations, the City of Berkeley will employ and promote qualified individuals without regard to disability. The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must do so no later than the final filing date for receipt of applications, otherwise it may not be possible to arrange accommodations for the selection process. Such requests should be addressed to the Department of Human Resources | (510) 981-6800| hr@cityofberkeley.info | 2180 Milvia Street, 1st Floor, Berkeley CA 94704.
Alternative Application Formats: This application material is available in alternative formats upon request. Alternative formats include audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc. Please contact the ADA Coordinator, 2180 Milvia Street, Berkeley | Phone: (510) 981-6300 | TTY: (510) 981-6347| ADA@cityofberkeley.info and allow 7-10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.
The City of Berkeley is an EEO/ADA Employer.
Salary : $80,766 - $95,347
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