Community Resource Specialist I

Kids for the Future; Omaha (NE); On-site; USD 20,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Shared health, dental and vision

Paid vacation and sick time

Employer paid life and disability ins.

Job summary

United Way of the Midlands in Omaha, NE is seeking a Community Resource Specialist I to connect individuals and families with housing, healthcare, employment and food resources through 2-1-1 and other channels.

The role involves client assessment, resource coordination and outreach, building strong relationships with service providers while maintaining accurate documentation in our database. Strong communication and cultural competency are essential.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree preferred or related experience in Social/Human Services.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• English proficiency with bilingual preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with MS Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Answers calls, email, chat and text with diverse populations.
• Maintains a nonjudgmental attitude when speaking with clients.
• Assesses needs using active listening and pertinent questions.
• Advocates for clients and refers to community resources.
• Records client information in the call center database and provides referrals.
• Follows up with clients to determine if needs were met.
• Performs assessments for high‑risk situations.
• Uses 2‑1‑1 database to locate resources and refer clients.
• Identifies unmet needs and informs the database manager.
• Maintains call handling performance per training standards.

Skills

Customer focus

Written communication

Verbal communication

Confidentiality

Teamwork

Bilingual preferred

Adaptability

Self-learning

Detail orientation

Education

Associate's degree preferred

High school diploma or GED required

Tools

Call center software

MS Office (Outlook, Excel, Access, Word)

Job description

• Location 1229 MILLWORK AVE STE 402,Omaha, NE, 68102-4123,United States


• Base Pay $17.50 - $17.50 / Hour


• Employee Type FT Non-Exempt


• Required Degree High school


• Manage Others No

Description

Organization: United Way of the Midlands

Job Title: Community Resource Specialist

Department: 211, Programs

FLSA Status: Full-time , Part-time /hourly

Location: Omaha, NE

About United Way of the Midlands:

Since 1923, United Way of the Midlands (UWM) has served the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro by bringing together the business, government and not-for-profit sectors and raising money to support our community’s most impactful health and human service programs. UWM’s funded programs and direct services – including JAG Nebraska, 211 and the Weatherization Assistance Program – focus on four key areas to improve health and well‑being for all, build financial stability and strength, help young people realize their full potential and address urgent needs today to advance a better tomorrow. At United Way, we are committed to fostering integrity, inclusion, and responsibility across our work where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to bring their unique perspectives and experiences to the table.

UWM’s Mission:

United Way of the Midlands UNITES our community’s CARING SPIRIT to build a STRONGER tomorrow.

At United Way of the Midlands, we…

Build TRUST in everything we do.

Extend GRACE by thinking beyond ourselves.

Show GRIT by bringing it everyday .

Be OPEN to embracing others’ differences.

Actively ENGAGE by listening and sharing.

Live CURIOUSLY to learn constantly.

Community Resource Specialist Summary:

The Community Resource Specialist I is responsible for responding to individuals in need of assistance through multiple channels of communication. The Community Resource Specialist I connects individuals and families with essential community services, including housing, healthcare, employment, and food assistance . This role involves client assessment, resource coordination, and outreach, ensuring timely and effective support while maintaining strong relationships with service providers and community partners

Responsibilities:

Answers phone calls, email, chat and text, demonstrating strong customer focus with all users of the service; ability to work with diverse populations within the context of developing the cultural competency needed, to provide appropriate resources to inquirers.

Maintains a nonjudgmental attitude when speaking with clients, displaying sensitivity to all cultural backgrounds.

Identifies and reflects the feelings of callers in crisis.

Assesses the clients’ needs or situation using pertinent questions and the principles of active listening.

Advocates for clients when appropriate .

Requests statistical and demographic information related to our clients to assist in the determination and tracking of unmet needs in the community.

Records clients' information into the call center database and provide referrals to the appropriate resources as needed.

Places outbound calls to follow‑up with a percentage of our clients to determine if their needs were met.

Completes assessments for clients in high‑risk situations.

Accesses the 2-1-1 database for resources and appropriately refer clients.

Identifies requests for resources that are not available in our database and inform the call center database Manager of unmet needs.

Maintains an acceptable level of call handling and customer service performance as described by the 2-1-1 training standards.

Completes all training for new programs and services related to 2-1-1 and provide feedback as needed.

Completes the Inform USA Community Resource Specialist certification exam within six months of eligibility to ensure adherence to industry standards and quality service delivery.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Required Skills and Abilities:

High level of professionalism, confidentiality and capacity to work independently.

High level of written and verbal communication skills with attention to detail and organization.

Demonstrate proficiency in using call center software, computer hardware and telephone equipment.

Ability to work alternative schedules and demonstrate flexibility in times of disaster.

Engage in and maintain knowledge of UWM programs and strategies.

Proactive in engaging in or seeking out self‑learning opportunities.

Ability to work effectively as a team member and assist other staff members willingly.

English proficiency sufficient and bilingual preferred for communication with supervisors, co‑workers, clients and customers.

Knowledge of MS Office Outlook, Excel, Access and Word Processing software.

Education and Experience:

Associate's degree (preferred) from two-year College or University and/or one to two years related experience and/or training in Social Services or Human Services.

A high school diploma or GED is required for this position.

Physical Requirements:

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds .

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

• Shared health, dental and vision insurance


• Paid vacation and sick time


• Employer paid life and disability insurance

United Way of the Midlands isan equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.