DEPARTMENT: OLYMPIA Corps – Social Services

POSITION TITLE: Social Services Specialist

SUPERVISOR: CORPS OFFICERS

STATUS: NON-EXEMPT, FT

GENERAL STATEMENT:

The Salvation Army is a branch of the Christian Church, and the goal of all programs is spiritual regeneration of all people. The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

SCOPE OF POSITION:

The Social Services Specialist is the ministry team member responsible for the provision and management of overall case work services offered to individuals and families in Thurston County who are in need of financial and material assistance and apply at the Olympia Corps. This position supports the practical ministries of The Salvation Army in collaboration with holistic objectives that include spiritual and practical responses.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Provide the direct service, community resource development and collaboration to ensure the full implementation of appropriate Salvation Army responses to community need.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• College degree preferred; high school diploma or GED required
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in Social Work or related field preferred.
• Experience and/or strong interest in community outreach, organization, and community capacity development, including working on community coalitions.
• Must have an interest and ability to work with people and clients of diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds in a sensitive and culturally appropriate manner.
• Ability to collaborate on complex social issues with families and communities.
• Ability to speak and understand English in a manner that is sufficient for effective communication with supervisors, employees, clients, and customers.
• Ability to competently handle, prioritize and be self-directed in managing workload and participate as a member of the ministry team.

• An understanding of and willingness to abide by The Salvation Army’s mission, philosophy, and practices.
• Ability to understand and comply with The Salvation Army policies in regard to disbursement of funding.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and sensitivity in matters relating to client services, maintaining the integrity of information on each client.
• Familiarity with Salvation Army policies and procedures, or ability to learn sources and guidelines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Excel.
• Working knowledge of WellSky client-based software.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Development and implementation of Pathway of Hope program, with the goal of transitioning Olympia social services from an assistance-based model to a case management, POH model, offering identified families the opportunity to move out of poverty into self-sustainability.
• Answer and/ or respond to all telephone calls & emails.
• Interview, screen and make appointments for those seeking assistance.
• Providing material assistance, information, and referrals to clients.
• Case management, to include assess current situation, assess needs and strengths, win trust and confidence, interview motivationally, develop realistic time-oriented goals, solicit and document buy-in from client on those goals, follow up to track progress, celebrate successes, revise goals where not achieved.
• Planning/coordinating community outreach events.
• Collaborating actively with other service providers in Thurston County.
• Work to identify potential Pathway of Hope participant families, offering such families the opportunity to participate in the program.
• Interview social service clients to determine need and eligibility. Provide direct material assistance to qualifying clients with respect to food, clothing, shelter, household items, transportation, information and referral, utilities, and other possible needs.
• Assist to ensure the effective distribution to qualified individuals and families for seasonal distribution programs including, but not limited to Thanksgiving, Christmas, Back-to-School or summer programs. This also includes all aspects of advertising, intake, record keeping and the mechanics of distribution.
• Provide appropriate casework services to individuals and families.
• Developing and maintaining partnerships within the community to assist Pathway of Hope participants with achieving goals as set forth in case management.
• The Social Services Coordinator is responsible for oversight of coordinating the intake of Christmas toys needed for the Christmas assistance program, in collaboration with the overall goals and plans of the ministry team for Christmas.
• Participate in the budgeting and business planning process related to social services.
• Ensure internal and external accountability, through accurate records of all special financial assistance funds per contractual obligations and Salvation Army policy.
• Prepare client files and records, making copies of all necessary identification and information regarding client circumstances. Maintain all social services statistical records, including current case files for individuals and families.
• Provide services in compliance with Social Services guidelines and within the budgeted business plan.

• Maintain current and accurate computer files and statistical data
• Keep accurate record of funding received and disbursed, monitoring the financial status of all Social Service Programs. Complete monthly reports to DHQ and Accounting.
• Provide timely communication and updates of trends, anticipating and planning for needs that show variation from the budgeting process and business plan.
• Identify children eligible for Salvation Army Community Service and Wilderness camps. Refer these individuals Corps Officer.
• Coordinate client requests for spiritual assistance and pastoral care with the corps officers.
• Meet face to face with corps officers and other corps staff weekly to offer support and information regarding community linkages, programmatic requirements and specific needs and trends of those coming for assistance.
• Assist in recruiting, interviewing, and training of new employees or volunteers, including corps members, who will be directly involved in providing client services.
• Participate in the goals and planning of the multi-disciplinary leadership team, representing the direct social service ministries to individuals and families. This may include involvement in events or activities not specifically addressed.
• Development of plans to expand and increase Pathway of Hope program.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or occasional continuous basis.
• Grasp, push, pull objects such as reference materials, files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead.
• Ability to load and to change settings, devices, fixtures on various equipment used in and around an office environment.
• Operate telephone and other electronic communication devices.
• Operate various other office equipment including personal computers, copiers, fax machines and scanning equipment.
• Ability to lift up to 45 lbs. occasionally

Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. A qualified person with a disability may request a modification or adjustment to the job or work environment in order to meet the physical requirements of the position. The Salvation Army will attempt to satisfy requests so long as the accommodation needed is reasonable and no undue hardship would result.

The Salvation Army will comply with all governmental orders and any contractual obligations relative to COVID-19 safety measures, including mandatory vaccination of staff, if required. The Salvation Army will consider requests for exemptions from any such requirements on either religious or medical grounds.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Minorities/Women/Veterans/People with Disabilities.