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 1,750 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 three Human Services Specialist positions.

About the Positions:

These Human Services Specialist positions are located in the Department’s Services to End and Prevent Homelessness division, Healthcare for the Homeless. There is one part-time position and two full-time positions.

Assess service requests for individuals and families with housing emergencies due to homelessness; past due rent to prevent eviction; past due utilities to prevent disconnection of utility services; or need for security deposits, moving and storage needs, and burial assistance. Develop a comprehensive service agreement to achieve service request in accordance with State and County policies and procedures.

Collaborate with community partners to identify additional resources to resolve the crisis, to including internal and external behavioral health professionals to return the client to a higher level of self-sufficiency.

Process financial grants according to the policies, procedures, regulations, and guidelines of the funding source utilizing County and State database systems. Make recommendations to supervisor for grant approval or denial in accordance with need and documentation.

Providing information, guidance, and assistance to clients to directly link them to or refer them to other programs/services/benefits that may be beneficial.

Prepare and submit monthly statistical reports and other reports as needed.

Conduct home and community visits as needed. Participate in case reviews, unit meetings and interdisciplinary teams both within and outside of the department to plan and coordinate service delivery. The position also provides extended hours coverage on a rotating basis.

Selected candidates will be required to successfully complete a medical exams 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.

Experience: One year of experience as a specialist performing complex and responsible social services work in a clinical environment – significant experience with direct client contact is required.

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

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

License: Valid driver’s license from applicant’s state of residence.

There is no Preferred Criteria. All applicants will be reviewed by OHR for minimum qualifications. Those applicants who meet the 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:

• Knowledge and experience working with homeless, formerly homeless and/or at-risk households.
• Knowledge and experience working in a social service capacity, service planning, and case management.
• Knowledge of community resources for low-income households.
• Knowledge and experience working with Microsoft products and various database systems.
• Basic proficiency in Spanish, Amharic, French, Korean, Vietnamese, or Chinese.