Client Assistance Specialist, Grade 20

Montgomery County (MD); Germantown (MD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 101,000; Full time

Job summary

Montgomery County in Maryland is seeking a Client Assistance Specialist within the Housing Stabilization Services Unit to prevent homelessness and support households in achieving stability through direct client services.

The role emphasizes psychosocial assessments, case management, and coordination with interdisciplinary teams to deliver housing resources. A Bachelor’s degree and 1 year in human services are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
• One year of experience in human services with substantive client contact.
• Ability to communicate effectively across cultures and overcome barriers to service.
• Pre-employment medical evaluation including drug screening.
• Knowledge of trauma and victimization dynamics is preferred for select positions.

Responsibilities

• Complete psychosocial assessments of residents experiencing housing emergencies and develop person-centered service plans.
• Identify resources/services needed to prevent homelessness and identify permanent housing solutions.
• Determine eligibility for emergency financial assistance.
• Provide short-term crisis intervention and prevention case management.
• Conduct home visits as needed.
• Participate in case reviews, unit meetings, and interdisciplinary teams to coordinate service delivery.
• Enter client information into County and State data systems; provide extended-hours coverage (rotating Tuesdays 5 pm–7 pm).

Skills

Communication skills

Experience with homeless populations

Community resources knowledge

Microsoft Office

Bilingual (English/Spanish etc)

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Case management tools

Job description

Please note: The salary range above represents the earning potential for this position. The anticipated hiring range for this position will be $69,601 to $100,683, based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

WHO WE ARE

Montgomery County is located adjacent to Washington, D.C., and with over one million residents, is the most populous County in the State of Maryland. The County is also the most diverse County in the State and ranks among the top ten most diverse Counties in the nation. Montgomery County is home to many major U.S. government offices, scientific research and learning centers, and business campuses.

The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for delivering the County’s public health and human services to meet the needs of our community’s most vulnerable children, adults, and seniors. The Department provides services through more than 120 programs at more than 20 locations. With over 2,000 employees, the Department of Health and Human Services is the largest County Department.

As a department, we believe the county's health and wellness can only be achieved by ensuring that every resident has fair opportunities to reach their fullest potential. This means access to quality housing, transportation, education, employment, health care, human services, safe neighborhoods, and healthy food. HHS provides critical services to residents facing a variety of obstacles to achieving their full potential. HHS plays an essential role in building a healthy and strong community.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

HHS Services to End & Prevent Homelessness, Housing Stabilization Services, is recruiting a Client Assistance Specialist with a passion for service, strong communication skills, and experience working with low-income, homeless, or formerly homeless individuals and families. In this position, the Client Assistance Specialist will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by working directly to prevent homelessness and support households in achieving stability.

The position functions as a Client Assistance Specialist, Intake and Assessment Worker in the Housing Stabilization Services Unit.

Responsibilities include the following:

• Complete psychosocial assessments of residents experiencing a housing emergency and/or utility emergency and develop comprehensive person-centered service plans.
• Identify resources/services needed to prevent homelessness and quickly identify permanent housing solutions
• Determine eligibility for emergency financial assistance.
• Provide short-term crisis intervention and prevention case management services to help stabilize housing for at-risk households.
• Conduct home visits as needed.
• Participate in case reviews, unit meetings, and interdisciplinary teams both within and outside of the department to plan and coordinate service delivery.
• Enter client information into County and State data systems as required. The position also provides extended-hours coverage (currently on a rotating basis, Tues from 5 pm-7 pm).
• Must demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience conducting assessments and expert work, working with low-income, homeless, and/or formerly homeless households preferred.
• Knowledge of community resources is strongly desired. Basic knowledge of WORD, EXCEL, e-mail, and database software, to include case management tools, is highly desired.
• Performs related duties as required.

Experience: One (1) year of experience in human services that involved substantive client contact and service delivery through direct assistance or referral. This experience must have included the ability to communicate effectively across a wide range of cultures and overcome potential barriers to service. For select positions, this experience must have required knowledge of the dynamics of trauma and victimization.

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree.

Substitutions: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements: None

Medical Protocol: This position requires successful completion of a pre-employment medical evaluation, which includes a limited physical examination and drug screening.

Work Environment: Work is performed in offices, meeting rooms, and other places that are adequately heated, lighted, and ventilated. There are also visits to homes, hospitals, schools, senior centers, shelters, and other places.

Physical Demands: Work is mainly sedentary. It requires precise use of the hands or fingers for keyboarding, taking notes, and similar work. Ordinary physical effort is required.

The applications of those individuals meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed to determine the extent, relevance of training, and experience in the following areas:

• Do you have knowledge & experience providing social services, including assessment, service planning & case management?
• Do you have knowledge and experience working with homeless, formerly homeless, and/or at-risk households?
• Do you have knowledge of community resources for low-income households?

• Do you have knowledge and experience working with Microsoft Office and database systems?
• Bilingual in English and Spanish, Amharic, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, or French is preferred.