Housing Counselor - Non-Merit

This job announcement may close at any time with little or no notice. Applicants are advised to apply promptly.

Regular Schedule: 34 hours per week

A Non-Merit vacancy exists in the Bureau of Community-Based Services, Department of Health and Human Services.

Non-Merit positions are not classified within the Baltimore County Government Classification and Compensation Plan.

A list of eligible applicants will be established based on the examination as outlined below.

Current and future vacancies occurring in this classification may be filled from the list of eligible applicants.

All interested candidates must apply at this time.

List all promotions and changes in job duties due to reclassification as separate work experience on your application. Applicants must include the dates of the promotions and reclassifications.

Note: Failure to complete all fields of the "Work Experience" section of the application will result in your application not being considered. A resume will not be considered in determining your qualifications for a position. Applicants selected for an interview may provide a resume at that time.

You can attach your transcript(s) or license(s) to your application.

Failure to submit proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education will result in your application not being considered. Proof of licenses, certifications, and/or education must be submitted with each application.

Examples of Duties

Under general supervision, screens, evaluates, and monitors clients in a human services program, provides counseling and case management services as part of a treatment or rehabilitative plan, and makes referrals to other agencies or professionals.

• Interviews clients to establish case history or reviews case histories of referrals in order to assess eviction prevention, rapid re-housing, or homelessness prevention needs.

• Assesses client needs and independently, or in consultation with a social worker or other licensed professional, develops an appropriate plan which may include referral of client to another agency or professional.

• Monitors and evaluates clients’ participation in service programs referred by case management.

• Provides continuing housing stabilization services, case management services, home visitations, crisis intervention and group facilitation of skill building.

• Places clients in housing, job or community service activities and resolves problems in job assignments as appropriate.

• Maintains detailed records of clients’ activities and provides statistical and narrative reports upon request.

• Follows up on referrals and acts as a liaison between clients, landlords, employers, and other community organizations.

• Prepares statistical and summary reports as requested.

• Creates and maintains landlord relationships.

• Conducts educational, community relations, prevention, and outreach programs.

• Attends meetings and training sessions.

Examples of Other Duties

• Recommends and assists in implementing corrective actions related to problem area in overall program.

• May transport clients and make home visits.

• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the theories and principles of human behavior, growth and development, mental illness, alcohol and drug abuse, and problems related to socioeconomic factors.

• Knowledge of modern individual, group, and family counseling techniques, diagnostic assessment, and basic treatment planning.

• Basic knowledge of community, human, and social services assistance programs.

• Knowledge of the organization and role of assigned program within the County and State human services structure.

• Knowledge of community resources and support group available to clients.

• Knowledge and understanding of applicable Federal, State, and local regulations, procedures, and guidelines including those of the courts and criminal justice system.

• Knowledge of County and departmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to performance of duties.

• Skill in conducting individual diagnostic/assessment interviews and formulating basic treatment plans.

• Skill on making appropriate referrals.

• Skill in handling hostile individuals.

• Skills in crisis intervention.

• Skill in individual, group, and family counseling.

• Skill in case management.

• Writing skill necessary to complete forms, medical records, case histories, and reports.

• Good interpersonal skills.

• Ability to conduct individual/assessment interviews and to formulate a basic treatment plan.

• Ability to make appropriate referrals.

• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with others.

• Ability to appropriately handle hostile individual and those experiencing a crisis.

• Ability to interpret Federal, State, and local regulations, procedures, and guidelines for human services professionals.

• Ability to conduct educational programs for clients or for the community.

(NOTE: The duties and responsibilities listed above are for the purpose of determining a common set of minimum qualifications for all positions in this class. They may not include all of the essential job functions of each position in the class. Each position may not be required to perform all of the essential job functions listed.)

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in a social or behavioral science. (Experience as described in essential duties may be substituted on a year-for-year basis, up to a maximum of two years for the required education.)

Licenses and Certificates

Possession of a valid driver's license equivalent to a non-commercial, class C Maryland driver's license at the time of appointment.

EXAMINATION PROCEDURE
Applicants will be qualified based on an evaluation of their training and experience, as stated on their application, which includes answers to the supplemental questions. Applicants must state the dates and duties of past and present experience clearly and completely for evaluation purposes.

Conditions of Employment

Physical and Environmental Conditions
This is a non-merit, grant-funded position. This position is essentially sedentary with occasional walking, lifting, or other restricted physical activities. Positions may require traveling between work sites.

Medical Examination and Employment Background Investigation
Applicants selected for employment with Baltimore County must successfully complete a physical examination, drug screening and employment investigation, including, but not limited to criminal background, education certification and fingerprinting checks.

Employment Benefits for Non-Merit or Non-Classified, Part-Time Employees

Baltimore County General Government offers the following benefits to part-time, non-merit or non-classified employees. New employees are eligible for benefits upon hire, unless noted otherwise.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Baltimore County is an equal opportunity employer and encourages minority, female and disabled applicants.

Smoke free workplace
All Baltimore County offices are smoke free.

Drug free workplace
Baltimore County provides a drug free workplace. Prospective employees are required to submit to urinalysis drug testing as part of the pre-employment physical examination.

Employee Assistance Program
Our Employee Assistance Program provides confidential and professional assessment and referral assistance for employees and eligible dependents in the household who are experiencing personal problems that may be affecting work performance, job satisfaction, or overall quality of life.

Health Insurance
In order to qualify for health insurance benefits (medical, prescription, dental and vision insurance), part-time employees must be scheduled for four (4) full work days plus two (2) hours each week.

Health Insurance benefits elected become effective the first day of the month following the date of hire if the employee has completed online enrollment prior to that date. New employees must enroll within thirty (30) calendar days of hire. Plans offered include:

Medical, Prescription, Dental and Vision insurance.

Flexible Spending Accounts
Opportunity to set aside pre-tax dollars, through payroll deduction, for eligible unreimbursed medical care expenses and/or dependent care costs.

Life Insurance
In order to qualify for life insurance benefits, part-time employees must be scheduled for four (4) full work days plus two (2) hours each week.

Employees may elect basic term life insurance for themselves equal to one time the employee's annual salary, rounded to the next higher $1,000. Employees contribute a portion of the premium through monthly payroll deductions. The County also offers an Additional/Employee paid Life Insurance plan with coverage up to $100,000.

Retirement
Employees are required to participate in the Baltimore County Employees' Retirement System, with very limited exceptions.

Paid Leave
Sick Leave - Monthly sick leave earnings prorated based on the number of hours worked per week. No maximum on accrual. Accrued balance can be applied toward service credit at retirement.

Vacation Leave - Monthly vacation leave earnings prorated based on the number of hours worked per week. Earnings increase after five, ten and fifteen years of service generally.

Holidays - Part-time 30 to 39 hour non-merit or non-classified employees will generally be paid for ten holidays per calendar year. Other part-time, non-merit or non-classified employees working 29 hours per week or less will receive two paid holidays per calendar year. These holidays are the Christmas holiday and the Independence Day holiday.

Bereavement Leave
Jury Leave
Military Leave

Baltimore County Employees Federal Credit Union
Membership in Baltimore County Employees Federal Credit Union offers a full range of savings programs, loans, checking, direct deposit, payroll deduction, savings bonds, and other financial services.

Direct Deposit
Payroll through direct deposit to the financial institution selected by employee is required.

Deferred Compensation
Nationwide Retirement Solutions offers a 457 retirement plan allowing for payroll contributions of tax deferred dollars to investment options of your choice.