JOB INFORMATION

The Frederick County Senior Services Division has been providing services and programs to older adults and their families for over 40 years. Our mission is to enrich the lives of older adults through community connections to services, programs and resources, with a goal of ensuring that Frederick County residents are empowered, engaged and equipped to live their best life. The Division seeks creative, energetic, compassionate and visionary candidates to join our diverse team of professionals who care about the well-being of Frederick County seniors. Join our team to help further our mission and make a difference in the lives of Frederick County’s fastest growing population.

POSITION DETAILS:
Non-exempt; full-time: 40 hours per week; Monday – Friday; 7:00 a.m. - 3:00p p.m.; full-benefits; grant-funded

This position is responsible for providing home health services to clients age 65+ to enable them to live independently for as long as safely possible. This position is stationed at the Frederick County Department of Social Services (DSS). Daily supervision is received from a DSS staff person.

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:
Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how much we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

• 
  11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid scheduled holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan option to include generous County HSA contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance benefit
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • Vesting after 10 years of service
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc
• Other employee paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, etc.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist with personal care such as bathing and grooming
• Assist with home-related activities such as food preparation, grocery shopping and housekeeping chores
• Work with a multi-disciplinary team of CNAs, social workers, and program management to find solution(s) to ongoing client issues; provide regular updates to the team on client status
• Assist clients with networking to area senior services by assessing the client’s needs and reporting to the social worker assigned to the client
• Compile and prepare statistical and reporting documentation for use by the Senior Services Division and DSS
• Perform other related duties as required

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

The qualifications / requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical demands or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 
  High school graduation or the equivalent
• Some experience working with older adults
• Current Certified Nursing Assistant certification issued by the Maryland State Board of Nursing (may consider equivalent certification from another state)
• Possession of a valid automobile operator's license

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILTIIES:

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Frederick County Employee Driving Permit
• Ability to effectively provide health care and services in compliance with MD laws, rules and regulations, and County policies
• Strong math and clerical skills, with ability to accurately prepare and maintain health records and program documentation
• Ability to effectively access and utilize computerized systems to enter and maintain related data and statistics
• Ability to effectively organize work, establish priorities and complete assigned duties with minimal supervision
• Ability to work with sensitive, personal information and maintain appropriate confidentiality
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with clients, co-workers, other members of the helping community and the general public, with particular sensitivity to the needs and priorities of older persons
• Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills, including the ability to clearly convey client needs and participate in case management team meetings

PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR:

• Fluency in spoken and/or written Spanish or other non-English language

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While working in this position, the employee is constantly walk, stoop/kneel, lift up to and over 50 pounds, push and pull up to and over 40 pounds, reach, perform repetitive motions and drive; frequently climb; and occasionally sit and crawl
• While working in this position, the employee is constantly work indoors, in a dirty and dusty environment, has potential exposure to infectious diseases and is required to wear protective equipment (to include masks, gloves, gown and face shield); frequently walks on uneven ground; and occasionally works outdoors and has exposure to chemicals or fumes

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / EXAMINATION PROCESS

• This position is subject to random drug testing
• Required certifications must be maintained throughout employment

KIND OF EXAMINATION (may include)

• An evaluation of training and experience
• One or more interviews
• Evaluation of a writing sample
• A pre-employment background investigation through use of a public records search
• A pre-employment physical examination and drug test

Retirement Plan:
A defined benefit retirement plan is provided for all regular County employees. Employees are automatically enrolled in either the Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting) or the Non-Uniformed Plan (10 year vesting) depending upon position classification. The majority of support for the plan is provided by the County; however, employees are required to make a mandatory pre-tax contribution towards their benefit. Retirement benefits are payable at normal, early or delayed retirement. Retirement benefits are also payable upon termination and in the event of death or disability.

Health Insurance:
County employees have a choice of two medical insurance plans, an In-Network (HMO) Plan or a High Deductible medical plan with a Health Care Savings Account, to provide coverage for medical and surgical expenses, hospital and emergency care expenses, mental health expenses and prescription drugs. The County and participants share in the cost of the health insurance with the employee having the benefit of pre tax contribution deductions. Medical insurance goes into effect on the first day of active employment.

Dental Insurance:
Employees may select coverage from one of three dental plan options, ranging from a PPO plan to a dental HMO plan. Coverage includes preventive care, fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures, and the cost of dental insurance is shared by both the County and the employee. Dental insurance goes into effect on the first day of the month that follows the eligible employee's completion of 30 days of active employment

NOTE: Employees working 75% or greater of a 35 or 40 hour position are eligible for health & dental insurance.

Flexible Spending Accounts:
The Flex Spending plan allows employees to pay health and day care expenses with pre-tax dollars. Employees may set aside part of their salary in a special account that can be used throughout the year to reimburse themselves for out-of-pocket medical expenses. The maximum contribution is $2,700 per year for Health Care Spending and $5,000 for Dependent Care Spending (work-related day care expenses). Examples of expenses that can be reimbursed for Health Care Spending include, but are not limited to: deductibles, co-payments, dental fees, chiropractors' services, and eyeglasses / contact lenses.

Life Insurance:
Employees are insured for 2 times their annual salary in case of death plus 2 times their annual salary for accidental death. Employees do not contribute to the premiums for this coverage. A Voluntary Life Insurance Program is offered to regular County employees. The plan allows employees to purchase individually owned term life insurance for themselves, spouses and dependents.

Savings Plan - Deferred Compensation:
The County offers a Section 457 Plan. Deferred compensation plans allow participants to save for retirement in either a pre tax or post tax (Roth) investment account. Contributions are invested at the employee's direction into one or more of the variety of investment options offered by the plan. Changes may be made to the contribution levels, investment options, etc. at any time.

Educational Reimbursement Program:
County employees who have successfully passed their probationary period may take up to two job-related courses per semester at any accredited educational institution. The benefit also covers the costs of job-related non-credit courses. If the employee receives a grade of at least a C, or successfully passes a non-credit course, the County reimburses the employee 75% of the costs of tuition, fees and books. If an employee doesn't remain employed with Frederick County Government for two years after a class is taken, the benefit needs to be reimbursed to FCG.

Employee Assistance Program:
This confidential assessment, referral and counseling service is available at no cost to all employees who may need help with a personal or job-related problem.

Leave
Annual Leave – Employees are eligible to use Annual Leave after their 6 month probationary period. Annual Leave accrues as follows: Years of service days per year
0 – 2 years 11 days
2 – 10 years 17 days
10 + years 24 days

Sick Leave - Employees will earn sick leave at a rate of 15 days per calendar year.

Sick Leave may also be used for illness of an employee's child, dependent, spouse, parent or parent-in-law. There is no limit on the amount of sick leave accumulated. Unused Sick Leave may be used for additional credit in the pension plan at the time of retirement.

NOTE: Regular benefited part-time employees earn annual and sick leave on a pro-rated basis based on their actual number of hours worked biweekly up to their assigned number of regularly scheduled work hours.

Other available types of leave include, but are not limited to, Family Medical Leave, Bereavement, Jury, Military.

Holidays:
The County observes 10 holidays every year and 11 are observed on years of General Elections.