INTRODUCTORY PERIOD:
All regular appointees serve a six (6) month introductory period.

CITIZENSHIP/IMMIGRATION STATUS:
In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Neighborhood House Association hires only U.S. citizens and others lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. 

This Job Announcement is not an offer of employment. The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any of the provisions contained in this job announcement may be modified or revoked without notice. Any person who is hired may voluntarily leave their employment upon giving proper notice and may be terminated by the Agency at any time and for any reason.  Any oral or written statements to the contrary are hereby expressly disavowed and should not be relied upon by any prospective or existing employee.

Please note that offers of employment are only valid if they are made by the Human Resources Department

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

Under the supervision of the Project In-Reach Program Director, the Social Worker supports the clinical staff with clinical care coordination to incarcerated and recently released individuals living with serious mental illness or co-occurring disorders age 18+ as they prepare to exit detention facilities, and 90 days post-release, including case management, care coordination, researching and organizing the necessary community resources in order to support clients’ transition to the community, and following through to ensure service efficacy; and performs related work as required.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

          Knowledge of: 

• Cultural and socio-economic issues relevant to providing appropriate case management services to special population groups, including Latino, African-American, and Transition Age Youth;
• Criminogenic risks and needs assessment and intervention;
• Legal and ethical issues pertaining to delivery of professional services;
• Human behavior theory;
• Local community and mental health resources available to assist incarcerated clients;
• Group dynamic theories and facilitation methods;
• Social, psychological and physical factors of mental, emotional, and substance abuse disorders;
• Types of illicit drugs and behavior patterns associated with them;
• Addictive behavior treatment methods;
• Local community resources.

          Ability to:

• Work with the incarcerated population and correctional staff;
• Address criminogenic risks and needs;
• Maintain detailed client documentation;
• Exercise tact, objectivity, sensitivity, strategy and judgment in dealing with a variety of people with mental illnesses;
• Organize, set priorities and exercise sound independent judgment within areas of responsibility;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, correctional staff, other professional staff and the public;
• Operate a computer using word processing, spreadsheet and database software applications, and operate other standard office equipment;
• Understand, interpret, explain and apply local, state and federal law and regulations governing mental health programs and correctional facilities;
• Analyze complex mental health and substance abuse program issues and problems, evaluate alternative solutions and develop sound conclusions, recommendations and courses of action;
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;
• Successfully perform duties in a field-based setting;

Language Skills:

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos in English; ability to write simple correspondence in English; ability to effectively communicate and present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10’s and 100’s; ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables, in standardized situations.

Experience and Training:

A typical way of obtaining the necessary experience and training is by obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field from an accredited university with experience working with clients with co-occurring disorders; and a minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in a substance use/mental health setting. Experience with motivational interviewing and different therapeutic approaches, experience working with Latino and African American and incarcerated population preferred.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS & SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

A valid California Driver's License with current, valid California automobile insurance; CPR/First Aid Certified; TB test required upon hire and must be maintained every four (4) years. Bilingual (English/ Spanish) highly desirable.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:

Employee is required to stand, bend or stoop for long periods of time; sit, stand, talk or hear in person and by telephone, use hands to finger, handle and feel computers and other standard office equipment, and reach with hands and arms. The employee infrequently lifts up to fifty pounds.  This is a field-based program; employee will provide services in the community or social settings.

Mental Demands:

This job includes close vision and the ability to adjust focus; use written and oral communications skills; read and interpret information and documents; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret people and situations.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

The duties listed below 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 this position.

• Provides case management, care coordination, individual and group services;
• Performs crisis intervention as needed; assesses and identifies clients’ needs for supportive services, acts as a partner and resource, performing case management services and client advocacy by obtaining appropriate linkages for necessary or requested services (e.g., mental health, housing, vocational, employment, food, etc.) and following through to ensure service efficacy;
• Researches available services to assist clients with their transition into the community, including housing resources;
• Facilitates transportation and linkages to community resource(s);
• Collaborates with other service team members on client concerns;
• Requests assistance and guidance from management and professional staff when necessary to address client issues and problems; establishes and maintains contact with community resources to ensure continuity of care;
• Creates detailed documentation of client progress and performs various other administrative functions associated with the program; maintains client charts;
• Updates assigned clients’ progress notes, maintains daily log of clients seen and writes necessary communication;
• Completes progress notes, group notes, and other necessary paperwork; enters necessary data and information;
• Provides information, presentations and outreach to the community as needed;
• Upholds all Program Safety Policies/Procedures and ensures that clients, staff and program facility are safe at all times;
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee works under typical office conditions; the noise level varies, usually between quiet to moderate noise as well as in the field with a varied work environment.