Social Services Assistant - Crew Leader (Temporary/Part-time)

Eureka; Eureka (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 41,000; Part time

Job summary

City of Eureka seeks a temporary, part-time CAPE/UPLIFT program support role to assist in directing homeless individuals to housing and employment resources. The position focuses on daily program coordination, community outreach, and accurate record-keeping.

Qualified applicants will have experience in social services or related programs, familiarity with mental health and addiction issues, and strong English communication skills.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of local resources for mental health, housing and related services and how to access them.
• Understanding of mental health, addiction and issues faced by homeless individuals.
• Familiarity with modern office practices and computer use.
• Proficiency in English language and customer service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Assist in providing access to resources for individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction or mental illness.
• Direct participants to emergency and long-term social services using a community resource guide.
• Participate in day-to-day operations of the UPLIFT program and organize daily events.
• Foster relationships with participants and advocate for their needs; document incidents and maintain records.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety and licensing guidelines and maintain required records.

Skills

Local resources access

Mental health & addiction awareness

Modern office practices

Computer applications

English usage

Customer service

Education

Social services experience

Volunteer/community program participation

Tools

Office software

Job description

Description Summary

Uplift Eureka is a program within the City of Eureka's Community Access Project for Eureka (C.A.P.E.) that supports community members experiencing homelessness in accessing vital community resources to obtain housing and employment. This is achieved through Uplift’s Housing Assistance Program, employment programming, community outreach and resource navigation assistance. Uplift Eureka believes in every individual’s capacity for positive change, and programs are designed to work in tandem ensuring individuals can access needed resources to empower themselves to a better quality of life.

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, oversees activities related to UPLIFT Programming; assists our community’s homeless population and exhibits dedication to the mission and vision of the Community Access Project for Eureka (CAPE) and UPLIFT Eureka; performs a variety of administrative functions in support of assigned programs and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direct supervision from assigned supervisory or management CAPE and UPLIFT personnel.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is a temporary part-time class in the CAPE & UPLIFT Divisions responsible for assisting in program coordination, administrative, and/or day-to-day operational responsibilities. Specific responsibilities may vary, depending upon the site, programs or projects to which assigned. This classification is distinguished from Social Services Coordinator in that the latter has greater responsibility in either program development and coordination and/or administrative functions.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Assists in providing access to resources for those experiencing homelessness, addiction and mental illness;
• Utilizes a community resource guide to direct those in need to emergency and long-term social service needs;
• Participates in the day-to-day operations of assigned UPLIFT program;
• Organizes daily events and assists with implementation of assigned program activities;
• Fosters positive relationships with program participants, built upon trust, which motivates participants to participate in services in order to improve their quality of life;
• Advocates for those experiencing homelessness, addiction and mental illness;
• Acts as a division representative to local residents, governmental agencies, community groups, private businesses, and others concerning questions, problems, concerns, and activities in the provision of assigned UPLIFT program;
• Assists in maintaining records and files on all participants; updates emergency and other pertinent information on a regular and as needed basis;
• Focuses on identifying appropriate resource needs unique to each homeless individual.
• Promotes safety and renders first aid as required;
• Documents all incidents involving injury, behavioral problems, and/or any unusual events; communicates as appropriate to supervisor and others; maintains all related records;
• Participates in ensuring compliance with relevant health, safety, and licensing laws and guidelines; maintains and updates all records required by state and local regulatory agencies;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge Of

• Principles, practices, methods, techniques, procedures, and service delivery needs related to the program area to which assigned.
• Local resources for mental health, housing, domestic violence, etc., and the processes by which to access these resources.
• Mental health illness, addiction and issues faced by homeless individuals.
• Modern office practices, methods and computer equipment.
• Computer applications related to the work.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.

Ability to:

• Prepare flyers, reports and other related program materials.
• Work effectively with people of varying racial, ethnic, cultural, educational and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Display appropriate, professional, healthy boundaries and exercise mature judgment and understanding of safety concerns.
• Respond to medical emergencies and injuries in a calm and effective manner, including providing basic first aid and/or cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• Prepare written narratives, correspondence, notices, newsletters, and reports in a clear and concise format.
• Maintain and update a variety of files and records including confidential documentation.
• Adapt well to changing priorities and challenging individuals.
• Understand and carry out both oral and written instructions in an independent and timely manner.
• Organize own work, set priorities and meet critical time deadlines.
• Maintain a non-judgmental attitude and a display of unconditional positive regard; is caring and compassionate.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Requirements

Education and Experience

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Work experience in social services, varied community outreach or related customer service experience which involves frequent public contact and/or
• Participation in similar programming through school or community programs and/or
• Volunteer service in a related field
• Experience working with those experiencing homelessness, addiction and mental illness is desirable.

License

• Valid California class C driver’s license with satisfactory driving record may be required.
• Must obtain First Aid & CPR certification within 12 weeks of hire.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, and over the telephone. This job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking, sometimes on uneven terrain. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a telephone, computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, and reach. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects necessary to perform job functions.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

Employees work indoors and outdoors, and will be exposed to moderate to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, and inclement weather conditions. Additionally, employees will be required to work in areas inhabited by homeless persons, which include exposures to unclean environments with potentially hazardous physical substances and fumes, and which may require interaction with challenging or upset individuals.

WORKING CONDITIONS

May be required to work evenings, weekends and holidays.

Important Note

Please make sure it is absolutely clear in your application exactly how you meet the minimum qualifications/requirements listed above. Applications that do not appear to meet the minimum qualifications will not move forward in the recruitment process.

City of Eureka's Commitment to Inclusion and Belonging

We envision an inclusive community where everyone’s fundamental needs are met, where our employees respect and celebrate all walks of life, where everyone can grow and thrive, as we work with integrity for the good of Eureka. Our mission is to meet the needs of Eureka residents, businesses and visitors by providing services and making decisions that are socially, fiscally and environmentally responsible, creating a workplace that values growth, inclusion and empathy for all.

Disaster Service Worker

All City of Eureka employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked. The City of Eureka is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of handicap status in the admission, access to, treatment, or employment for its programs, or activities, whether funded by the City or by grants. Women, persons with disabilities, and minorities are encouraged to apply. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate people with special physical or mental requirements. If you have special needs, please call [phone] prior to the examination date. When indicating you have a special need, one of the following definitions will apply to you. A disabled person is anyone who: (1) has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities: i.e., walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, working or learning; or (2) has a record of such impairment; or (3) is regarded as having such an impairment.

Temporary employees do not work more than 999 hours in a fiscal year (07/01 - 06/30) nor do they work more than 1,560 in a 12 month period beginning the first day of employment.

Paid Sick Leave

An employee who, on or after July 1, 2015, works for 30 or more days within a year from the beginning of employment, is entitled to paid sick leave. Employees will earn at least one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked. Accrual begins on the first day of employment or July 1, 2015, whichever is later. An employee may use accrued paid sick days beginning on the 90th day of employment.