Social Services Coordinator (ALTSD #10114784)

New Mexico Department of Justice; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

New Mexico Department of Justice seeks a Community Health Worker for Adult Protective Services to assist in delivering integrated services to older adults and disabled individuals.

The role emphasizes compassion, collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, and strong organizational and communication skills. Travel statewide and certification within a year are required, with a benefits-eligible, sponsored-term appointment.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent and two years of experience in social work/coordination or related fields.
• Must become certified as a Community Health Worker within one year of hiring.

Responsibilities

• Assist APS with community health outreach and engagement activities.
• Participate in trainings, presentations, and health/wellness classes.
• Support orientation and mentoring of new team members.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Flexibility

Team collaboration

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

2 years related experience

Job description

The Aging and Long-Term Services Department provides accessible, integrated services to older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers to assist them in maintaining their independence, dignity, autonomy, health, safety, and economic well-being, thereby empowering them to live on their own terms in their own communities as productively as possible. Adult Protective Services investigations collect and assess information to determine whether the reported incident of adult abuse, neglect, exploitation, or self-neglect occurred. Investigations assess the immediate safety of the adult and the ability of the individual to self-protect and/or the caregiver's ability to protect the adult; also, to assess whether the adult remains at risk for continued abuse, neglect, or exploitation and self-neglect. Finally assess the need for services, including short-term protective services.

Interviews are expected to be conducted within two weeks of closing date.

ALTSD is an equal opportunity employer. If an applicant selected for an interview needs reasonable accommodation to participate in the interview process, please inform the agency contact listed in the job posting.

Why does the job exist?

The main purpose of the Adult Protective Services Community Engagement Specialist position is to assist and support the Adult Protective Services Division to ensure adults with disabilities and older adults have the resources and supports to maintain safely in the homes and communities of their choice. This position requires a commitment to helping adults with disabilities and older adults and a high level of compassion, empathy and self-awareness; a collaborative nature to work with a multidisciplinary team; resourcefulness, responsiveness and flexibility; superb organizational and communication/ relationship building skills. This is a benefits eligible, sponsored-term position.

How does it get done?

• Training and Education
• Participates in presentations
• Seeks and completes training opportunities directly related to CHW specialty and/or CHW Core Competency training class to build their subject matter expertise
• Co-facilitates health and wellness classes, workshops and/or trainings
• Assists with orientation and mentoring of new team members
• Participants in local, regional or state community health care worker and adult protective services/aging events/meetings
• Works closely with APS field and clinical teams.
• Assist Adult Protective Services field staff in identifying community resources available to older and disabled adults

Who are the customers?

Adults with disabilities and older adults.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate must be professional, courteous, civil, respectful and must provide open, honest and thorough communication. Selected candidate must become certified within one year of hiring if not already certified as a Community Health Worker.

High School diploma or equivalent and two (2) years of experience as a social work assistant and/or in social or community coordination, working with communities, working on health or social service related matters, social work/case management experience, and/or behavioral health care. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling two (2) years may substitute for the required experience.

Employment Requirements

Statewide travel may be required.
On-Call and Call-back are required on a rotation basis.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification within 90 days of employment.
Pre-employment state and federal criminal background investigation is required and is conditional pending results.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting, client home or institutions, with extensive computer and telephone use. Risk of injury from hostile clients is possible.

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.