Job description

CITY OF BANGOR
POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION: Community Response Specialist
DEPARTMENT: Public Health & Community Services
JOB CATEGORY: PAT4 (40 hours)

This position serves as a Community Response Specialist as part of the Bangor Community Action Team (BCAT), working closely with the City of Bangor Police Department and the Public Health and Community Services Department. Working in teams this position will perform direct response services for citizens in Bangor upon referral from the Police department/dispatch. The response specialist will answer calls and seek to diffuse tensions between individuals, businesses, and others that do not rise to the level of requiring law enforcement response.

DUTIES:

• Respond to individuals upon referral from the police by meeting people at various locations in the city where service needs are identified. This may include working with members of an outreach team, including police officers, the Community Services Manager, the Homelessness Outreach Caseworker, and other identified parties.
• Be a visible presence in the community by actively seeking and engaging with individuals who are in need of support services.
• Conduct intake interviews to determine immediate needs and offer assistance. The response specialist may work with other city teams to link individuals to appropriate services (e.g., healthcare, case management, mental health treatment, substance use disorder treatment). De-escalation and crisis intervention skills will be essential in day-to- day work.
• Complete paperwork as required, documenting response efforts, intake sessions, and any paperwork needed regarding applicable services.
• Maintain a database to track individual responses and outcome of interaction. Cross reference information with the Homelessness Outreach Caseworker and or Hub 7 Coordinator as applicable. Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• This position may refer to the Community Services Manager to interface with the Police Department, hospitals, mental health providers, homeless shelters, and other related service providers to ensure continuity of services and avoid duplicative efforts.
• Communicate effectively in writing and verbally, particularly in situations where persons may have barriers and/or be resistant to help.
• Perform educational activities or deliver presentations as needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Associates degree in mental health, social work or equivalent experience in related field desired.
• Previous outreach or case management experience desired.
• Experience in crisis intervention and de-escalation skills desired
• Working knowledge of applicable regulations and ordinances and the ability to apply such regulations to ensure compliance.
• Ability to maintain accurate client files.
• Ability to effectively communicate with co-workers, clients, other service providers, and members of the general public in a professional, respectful and courteous manner, including under stressful situations.
• Ability to work compassionately with people from all walks of life especially those challenged by severe mental health, physical health complications, and/or substance use issues.

RESPONSIBILITY:

This position performs duties according to accepted practices and department policies and procedures. Uses independent judgment in making decisions having direct impact upon specific individuals and/or cases. Work is reviewed for overall soundness in judgment, general technical adequacy, and conformance with practice and policy. Unusual problems or circumstances are discussed with supervisor at the employee’s discretion. Reports directly to the Community Services Manager.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This position will work primarily in the field, which will likely be outside in different kinds of weather, and include navigation of different types of terrain, which may be in forested or less accessible areas.

The pay range for this position is $20.68 to $27.80 per hour (based on a 40-hour work week) and includes a comprehensive full -time benefits package. A completed City of Bangor application as well as cover letter and resume should be sent to the Human Resources Office, Bangor City Hall, 73 Harlow Street, Bangor, Maine 04401 or by email to apply@bangormaine.gov.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $20.68 - $27.80 per hour

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