Senior Services Program Worker - Extra-Help Senior Services Program Worker

This recruitment is being established to obtain a current eligible list for both full time and Extra-Help vacancies.   Extra-Help are not entitled to county benefits and are limited to a maximum of 25 hours per week. Extra-Help pay is $18.40 per hour.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develops public information and education materials.
  
  
• Compiles reports requiring data collection and the use of basic statistics.
  
  
• Assists or conducts public information workshops and seminars, outreach, and education activities.
  
  
• Schedules and performs program counseling and advocacy, and works closely with senior legal services and other senior citizens' programs to ensure program services.
  
  
• Investigates complaints and provides resolution for senior citizens in skilled nursing and residential facilities in Merced County.
  
  
• Conducts facility visits to ensure compliance with regulations and patient/resident rights.
  
  
• Counsels' clients and performs all follow up required to solve the client case.
  
  
• Maintains client files, detects irregularities, advises clients on rights, and evaluates file for fraud, abuse and misrepresentation.
  
  
• Develops and uses computerized recordkeeping systems, develops case correspondence, and attends training courses and sessions.
  
  
• Recruits volunteers, provides training materials, assists with training volunteers, and evaluates their performance on each case to ensure accuracy and ability to meet state standards.
  
  
• Maintains confidential files regarding client information and complaints received.
  
  
• Reviews work priorities, ensures outreach services are provided throughout the county.
  
  
• Schedules home or facility visits, refers clients to proper agencies and provides input for program plans and reports.
  
  
• Assists in special projects or programs.
  
  
• Identifies problems and may take corrective action.

Experience:
Two (2) or more years' experience working directly with volunteers, seniors and/or community groups.  Completion of thirty (30) college semester units in social welfare, social/human services, gerontology, sociology, or other social or behavioral science may substitute for one (1) year of experience.

Education:
Equivalent to high school graduation.

Licenses/Certification:
Registration with the State as a HICAP Counselor within six months of hire for incumbents performing HICAP functions.

Certification with the State Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman within six months of hire or promotion for incumbents performing Ombudsman functions.

Possess a valid California driver's license at time of appointment and maintain.

SOME POSITIONS IN THIS CLASSIFICATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECKS PURSUANT TO THE HUMAN RESOURCES RULES AND REGULATIONS, SECTION 2, BESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Operate a personal computer and other modern office equipment, including repetitive hand and arm motion.
  
  
• Frequent use of hand-eye coordination.
  
  
• Frequently required to sit for extended period.
  
  
• Frequently operate a motor vehicle.
  
  
• Communicate effectively with others in person and over the telephone.
  
  
• Interview others to obtain and exchange information.
  
  
• Resolve conflicts and respond to complaints under stressful conditions.
  
  
• Analyze data, interpret directions, procedures and regulations, and develop appropriate responses.
  
  
• Perform job duties under stressful conditions.
  
  
• Respond appropriately to situations.
  
  
• Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations.
  
  
• Make presentations before groups.
  
  
• Train volunteers.
  
  
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others.
  
  
• Perform timely and required procedures, duties and responsibilities.
  
  
• Occasionally lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
  
  
• Regular attendance is an essential function.

Knowledge of:

• Government programs relating to senior citizens. 
  
  
• Governing laws, regulations, and terminology.
  
  
• Laws and regulations related to the operation of skilled nursing and residential care facilities.
  
  
• Methods and techniques of problem resolution, including objective investigation, mediation and negotiation.
  
  
• Basic principles of training, recruiting and working with volunteers.
  
  
• Personal computer and word processors.
  
  
• Basic statistics.
  
  
• Community outreach techniques.
  
  
• English usage, including vocabulary, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
  
  
• Public relations techniques.
  
  
• Department of Aging rules and regulations.
  
  
• Gerontology, Long-Term Care, Social Services, and Aging programs.
  
  
• Health care insurance programs.

Ability to:

• Collect and compile data and statistical information.
  
  
• Make presentations and promote programs.
  
  
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
  
  
• Establish and maintain effective working relationship with the general public and the agency staff.
  
  
• Develop and present training materials.
  
  
• Conduct training for volunteer staff.

Salary : $38,272 - $46,530