Information & Referral Specialist 1
Clackamas County employees work to serve the public and enrich our community. In that spirit, we pledge to hold ourselves to these standards at all times in our interactions with customers and one another.
Service. Professionalism. Integrity. Respect. Individual accountability. Trust.
By incorporating all of these into our daily routines, we can better serve our customers, ourselves and our projects. We're always looking to improve. That's the Clackamas County SPIRIT.
CLOSE DATE
This Job Posting closes at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) on February 13, 2019.
PAY INFORMATION
Annually: $33,599 - $42,266 *
Hourly: $17.23 - $21.67
*This annual rate is based off a full time 37.5 hour position
BENEFITS
In addition to competitive wages, Clackamas County offers an attractive benefits package for employees in regular status positions.
This is a full time County position represented by the Employees' Association.
JOB INTRODUCTION
Clackamas County Health, Housing and Human Services, Social Services Division is seeking an Information and Referral Specialist 1. The Information and Referral (I&R) Specialist 1 assists individuals with varying abilities, needs and backgrounds in identifying and accessing community resources and services. This position within the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) primarily, but not exclusively, focuses on assisting older adults and persons with disabilities address a wide range of needs and concerns.
Competitive candidates will possess and demonstrate patience, adaptability, capacity for creative problem-solving, active listening skills, professional boundaries, and compassion when interacting with consumers, various stakeholders and peers. Competitive candidates will also have proven experience working within a team setting, ability to provide support in varying capacities, demonstrated experience working in a fast-paced and evolving work environment, and possess a sincere desire to serve the community.
This position will work a minimum of 20 hours per week. As the position develops, it will work up to 37.5 hours per week.
Required Minimum Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills:*
- At least one year professional work experience providing direct services to older adults, adults with disabilities, and/or their respective networks of support.
- At least one year of professional work experience providing information and referral services.
- At least one year of professional work experience at an intermediate or advanced level of proficiency working with computers, Microsoft office software, and online resource databases
- Experience working respectfully and effectively in a diverse and multi-cultural environment.
- Ability to obtain a CRS-A/D Certification within the Alliance of Information and Referral Services (AIRS) within one year of hire. To do so, the following is required: At least 1 year of employment in I&R for applicants with a Bachelors or higher degree OR 2 years of employment in I&R for applicants with an Associates/Community College degree OR 3 years of employment in I&R for applicants with a High School diploma or GED OR 5 years of I&R employment with no educational qualifications.
- Bilingual English and Russian, Spanish or SE Asian language.
- Must successfully pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test.
- Must successfully pass a criminal history check which may include national or state fingerprint records check.
- Valid Driver's License. Applicants for this position must meet the requirements of the County's Driving Policy. Learn more about the County's driving policy.
Preferred Special Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills:*
- Knowledge of public assistance/benefits programs (Title 19, OHP, Medicare buy-in programs, SNAP, etc.).
- Knowledge of long-term care services and resources.
- Experience using Statewide online databases such as RTZ, Oregon Access and/or the State Mainframe.
*For Veterans qualified for Veteran’s Preference: If you believe you have skills that would transfer well to this position and/or special qualifications that relate to this position, please list those skills and/or qualifications in the open-ended question at the end of the application and explain how those skills and/or qualifications relate to this position.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Duties may include but are not limited to the following:
1. Responds to in person and telephone inquiries from individuals, businesses and agencies requesting information on community resources; assesses immediate and ongoing needs, provides information and refers clients and general public to appropriate public or private service provider; follows up on individual referrals to ensure contact with compatible program; provides advocacy for individuals who have difficulty obtaining services; may provide intensive information and referral services to specific clients; may assist with special projects or services for a specific population.
2. Records and compiles data on the nature and quantity of inquiries and referrals; reviews and compiles data reports submitted by service providers; prepares regular and special statistical reports; completes required forms and performs data entry to track client intake and referrals.
3. Updates information on existing resources by contacting organizations by telephone or mail; assists in developing information on potential resources by monitoring newspapers, newsletters, brochures and other sources; informs staff and other agencies of changes or new services.
4. Promotes interagency cooperation and information sharing through contact with various agencies and community and business groups; schedules speakers and publicizes professional meetings; may attend public meetings to explain the function of information and referral services.
5. Gathers correct and current information on each agency’s services through a review of available materials and interviews with agency personnel; writes database entries in a multi- screen format; classifies agencies using a taxonomy of terms; conducts database search and records call transactions using the a multi-level computerized resource database system.
QUALIFICATIONS
Working Knowledge of: Public and private social service agencies and community resources, their requirements, rules and regulations; policies and objectives of information and referral programs; human behavior; effects of psychological stresses created by a lack of economic resources on an individual’s ability to secure needed services; principles and techniques of interpersonal communication and public relations; principles of cultural sensitivity; basic record keeping procedures and techniques; techniques of data collection; general office practices and procedures.
Skill to: Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing with clients, professional staff and the general public; relate to a wide variety of people with diverse needs, social, economic, and cultural backgrounds; interview individuals to identify and assess problems; determine appropriate referrals to agencies or programs able to meet identified needs; establish and maintain effective working relationships with public and private agencies to promote cooperation and information sharing; maintain accurate records, complete basic forms and perform data entry; use complex taxonomy system to categorize data; use computerized Information and Referral program to record client calls, access relevant data and build and update database; utilize basic computer applications such as electronic mail and word processing programs.
WORK SCHEDULE
This position will work a minimum of 20 hours per week. As the position develops, it will work up to 37.5 hours per week. Specific hours of work will be discussed with the candidate selected for this position at the time an offer of employment is extended.
EXPLORE CLACKAMAS COUNTY
Clackamas County is in a prime location in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area and is recognized nationally as one of the most livable areas in the United States. Located on the southern edge of the City of Portland and extending to the top of Mt. Hood, Clackamas County is part of a thriving region in the Northwest. It has a population of about 400,000 citizens.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
The Social Services Division provides assistance to seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and low-income residents of Clackamas County.
Social Services is a Division of the Health, Housing, and Human Services (H3S) Department.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Clackamas County only accepts online applications.
Help With Your Application:
If you have any questions or issues you may contact the Department of Human Resources at 503-655-8459 or e-mail us. Our office hours are Monday - Thursday 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time (closed on Fridays).
HOW TO CLAIM VETERAN'S PREFERENCE
VISA SPONSORSHIP
Clackamas County does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete an I-9 and confirm authorization to work in the United States.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Clackamas County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.
If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the Department of Human Resources prior to the recruitment close date. You may request an accommodation during the online application process.