Department of Aging Human Services Assistant - Center Connection Specialist

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

A vacancy exists in the Department of Aging for a Human Services Assistant - Center Connection Specialist.

Pay Schedule I, Grade 21, Regular Schedule:  35 hours per week

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

Current and future vacancies occurring within this class 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.

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

Job Purpose
Under close supervision, provides support services to help members who need assistance with integrating into the senior center; conducts intakes and assessments of potential Center Connection members; and provides information and referrals to members and caregivers to help them remain active and independent in the community and at the senior center. 

Advocates for Center Connection clients by providing a range of appropriate activities, offering information to the public and professionals to promote the Center Connection program, and assisting with the senior center's operations

Essential Duties

• Identifies potential participants and assesses these individuals for program eligibility.
• Works with each participant to develop an individualized activity schedule based on their strengths and interests.
• Facilitates individuals' participation in the center by coordinating transportation, class registration, eating together sign-up, and assistance with other center activities as needed.
• Supports participants' social integration into the center.
• Presents cases to the center team for review.
• Acts on team recommendations for intervention.
• Advocates, designs, coordinates, and implements activities within the senior center to meet the needs of participants.
• Develops and maintains working relationships with participants' case managers, caregivers, and others as needed.
• Maintains individual case records, attendance records, and other required documentation.
• Monitors clients' participation in the program daily.
• Promotes the Center Connection program in the community.

Examples of Other Duties
Assists walk-in clients and answers telephone inquiries.
May conduct home visits to obtain or verify information.
Performs other related duties as assigned.

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 for each position within the class. Each position may not be required to perform all of the essential job functions listed.

Required Qualifications
Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate in Arts degree in a social or behavioral science.

Experience in individual, group, or family counseling or in intake and referral work may be substituted on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of two years for the required education.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills 

 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Entry Level)

• Basic knowledge of interviewing techniques.
• Skill in performing simple mathematical calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. 
• Writing skills necessary to complete simple application forms and reports
• Ability to obtain information from clients and to compile information into case records. 
• Ability to communicate orally. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to understand Federal, State, and local regulations, program policies and procedures, to apply them to specific client situations, and to compute the amounts of grants to clients. 
• Ability to maintain detailed and accurate records and to prepare summary reports. 
• Ability to use a computer to enter, update, or retrieve information.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Full Performance)

• Knowledge of Federal, State, and local regulations, policies, and procedures relating to assigned programs.
• Knowledge of community services and other agency programs for referral.
• Knowledge of County and departmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to the performance of duties
• Skill in obtaining information from clients and applying program requirements to determine eligibility.
• Skill in computing amounts of grants.
• Skill in maintaining accurate records and preparing summary reports.
• Ability to assist human services professionals with case management.
• Ability to perform basic assessment of client needs for referral purposes.
• Ability to recognize clients in crisis and take appropriate action.
• Ability to maintain client confidentiality.

Licenses and Certificates
Positions within this classification may require possession of a valid driver's license equivalent to a Non-Commercial, Class C Maryland driver's license at the time of appointment.

• Applicants selected for this position will be required to travel to sites throughout Baltimore County using their personal vehicle. Employees will be reimbursed for mileage.

Proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education
Applicants are required to submit proof of professional licenses, certifications, and education to meet the required and preferred qualifications of the position. Diplomas or transcripts must show the applicant's major field of study. Copies and unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

Failure to submit proof of professional 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.

Proof of Degree Equivalency
Applicants who have obtained a degree from outside the United States of America are required to submit degree equivalence documentation from World Education Services, Inc. (www.WES.org)

Mail or deliver documents to:
ATTN: Human Services Assistant - Center Connection Specialist
Office of Human Resources
Baltimore County Government
308 Allegheny Ave.
Towson, MD 21204

EXAMINATION PROCEDURE
Applicants will be qualified based on an evaluation of the training and experience they report in their application, including responses to the supplemental questions. Applicants must clearly and completely state the dates and duties of past and present experience for evaluation purposes.

Applicants selected for this position will be required to travel to sites throughout Baltimore County using their personal vehicle. Employees will be reimbursed for mileage.

Possession of a valid, Non-Commercial Class C Maryland driver's license and reliable transportation are required at the time of appointment.
 
Physical and Environmental Conditions
These positions are primarily sedentary, with occasional walking, lifting, or other limited physical activity.

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.

Salary : $39,989 - $46,004