Montgomery County is located adjacent to Washington, DC and with over one million residents, is the most populous County in the State of Maryland. The County is also the most diverse County in the State and ranks among the top ten most diverse Counties in the nation. Montgomery County contains many major U.S. government offices, scientific research and learning centers, and business campuses.

The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for delivery of the County’s public health and human services that the needs of our community’s most vulnerable children, adults and seniors. The Department provides services through more than 120 programs at more than 20 locations. With 2,000 employees, the Department of Health and Human Services is the largest County Department.

As a Department, we believe health and wellness of the county can only be achieved by ensuring that every resident has fair opportunities to reach their fullest potential. This means access to quality housing, transportation, education, employment, health care, human services, safe neighborhoods and healthy food. HHS’ provides critical services for residents who face a variety of obstacles in achieving their full potential. HHS plays an essential role in building a healthy and strong community.

If you are interested in working for the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Client Assistance Specialist positions.

About the Position:

Services to End and Prevent Homelessness (SEPH) provides a full continuum of services including housing stabilization, homeless diversion, and permanent housing; and employs evidence-based and promising practices. SEPH programs collaborate with public and private partners through the Interagency Commission on Homelessness. Rapid Re-Housing is a housing intervention model provided to eligible homeless households in Montgomery County. These households are assessed for services through SEPH. Rapid Re-housing services are provided by SEPH directly and through contractors, and typically provide a continuum of care.

This position is responsible for providing case management supports to households enrolled into the Rapid Rehousing program. Candidate will be expected to meet clients in facilities and community settings and assist with identifying stable housing. Candidate will conduct home visit, referral and resource supports as clients work to overcome barriers to maintaining housing.

Duties include:

• Conduct intake and interviews with households experiencing homelessness.
• Partners with clients to identify housing placement for household.
• Identify barriers to maintaining and obtaining housing and develops a plan for sustainability.
• Collaborate and partner with household to develop a budget, service plan and make referrals for resources needed for self-sufficiency.
• Collaborate with community partners to identify any additional resources to help rapidly stabilize the household to include other behavioral health professionals internal or external to the department as needed.
• Document services in case record and participate in monthly meetings with client- and other service providers.
• Provide in home case management support at least monthly or as needed. Respect and honor the client’s choice.
• Engage landlords to partner and house those experiencing homelessness.

Selected candidates will be required to successfully complete a medical exam and drug screening.

OHR reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position/IRC.

Montgomery County Government is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email to OHR@montgomerycountymd.gov. Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.

Montgomery County Government also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, please refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference.

All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for interview.

If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.

Montgomery County Ethics Law: Except as provided by law or regulation, the County's "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriff's office) are subject to the County's ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code. Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s Degree.

Experience: One (1) year of experience in human services that involved substantive client contact and service delivery through direct assistance or referral. This experience must have included ability to communicate effectively across a wide range of cultures and overcome potential barriers to service. This experience must have required knowledge of the dynamics of trauma and victimization.

Substitutions: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

There is no Preferred Criteria.

All applicants will be reviewed by OHR for minimum qualifications. Those applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be rated Qualified, placed on the Eligible List, and may be considered for an interview.

Preference for interviews will be given to applicants with experience in the following:

• Three or more years of experience in human services that involve client contact and service delivery through direct assistance or referral.
• Demonstrated clear written cross-cultural communication.
• Clear understanding of Housing First principles.
• Experience in customer service-orientated/driven culturally diverse environment.
• Experience serving those experiencing socioeconomic, legal and housing instability.