Social Service Specialist (Community Connector)
King County
Auburn, WA
Full-time
Social Service
Posted on June 15, 2021
- Summary
- Public Health- Seattle & King County values diverse perspectives and life experiences. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and veterans.
Jail Health Services, a division of Public Health Seattle & King County, is recruiting for a full time, Term Limited Temporary (TLT), Social Service Specialist (Community Connector) position to work in the two King County adult correctional facilities: The King County Correctional Facility in Seattle and the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.
The purpose of JHS is to assure that basic health and human services are available to the incarcerated population in the King County adult correctional facilities. They provide a broad range of health care—including medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with buprenorphine for individuals with opioid use disorder.
This is a unique opportunity for someone who wants to be part of a clinical team that is dedicated to having an immediate and lasting impact on their community. The Community Connector will be working as a community health worker and will use their close understanding of the community to provide patient-centered, trauma-informed care and engage patients as they connect with health and social services.
Lived experience is deeply valued. Individuals in recovery and those who have had personal experience with the criminal legal system (and are not under any current jurisdiction) are encouraged to apply.
Term-Limited Temporary positions are "at-will" positions but are eligible for benefits. This TLT is currently anticipated to last for two (2) years. However, funding sources for this work remain uncertain and dependent upon decisions actively being made at both the federal and local levels. As a result, the end date of this position may be adjusted based on those decisions. The County and the Department continue to work to secure long term funding sources.This vacancy can also be filled as a Special Duty opportunity.
For Special Duty Assignment interest, you must be a Career Service, Career Service Exempt or other regular (non-temporary) employees in King County who have completed their initial County probation. You must have supervisor approval prior to taking a Special Duty Assignment.
As the only jurisdiction in the world named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.
We have a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from vulnerable communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.
Applicants should be committed to working with diverse populations throughout King County to provide excellent customer service to a broad range of cultures, in accordance with the King County Equity and Social Justice Ordinance and the King County Strategic Plan.
Who May Apply:
This full-time Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) or Special Duty position is open to all qualified applicants.
Work Location:
This position works with patients inside and outside of the Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC) in Kent and the King County Correctional Facility (KCCF) in Seattle and requires travel between facilities and to multiple community locations. The MRJC is located at 401 4th Ave N, Kent, WA 98032 and KCCF is located at 500 5th Ave., Seattle, WA 98104.
Some of the work associated with this position will be performed remotely, at least through July 5, 2021 in compliance with King County’s telecommuting mandate. It is possible that the work will be primarily performed remotely on an ongoing basis after July 5, 2021. Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Employees must reside in WA state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
There will be situations where the employee is required to report to a County worksite. Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required by the department in alignment with the Public Health Directive from the Seattle & King County Public Health Officer.
To support employees during this time King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint.
Work Schedule:40-hour work week including weekend and evening shifts.
- Job Duties
- Schedule day of release appointments with providers that prescribe medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) for patients releasing from jail.
- Provide and coordinate transportation to community appointments as needed.
- Provide patient outreach to help with continued engagement with community MOUD providers.
- Listen to and support clients. Adapt health information based on clients’ priorities, cultural beliefs, and value systems.
- Maintain information on community resources. Inform clients of available resources and make referrals. Coach clients in how to access community resources and facilitate linkage to care.
- Provide accurate health and safety information using established messages on overdose safety planning.
- Assist patients with applying for or reactivating Medicaid and insurance upon or prior to jail release.
- Assist program manager with patient interviews and feedback surveys.
- Act as patient advocate and liaison to clinical staff.
- Use multiple computer programs in the provision of client-centered services, including electronic charting & complex scheduling systems.
- Attend monthly all staff meetings.
- Participate in program meetings, presentations, and continuing education on substance use disorders and other related topics with program manager and clinical staff.
- Communicate clearly and effectively with clients and coworkers, verbally and in writing.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
- Post-hire WA State Department of Health Community Health Worker certification.
- Post-hire CPR certification.
- High school diploma or equivalent; some college preferred.
- One-year, full-time experience working with community members or providing direct client services in a health or human service agency.
- Commitment to equity and social justice principles and serving clients with cultural humility.
- Knowledge of social and health systems and resources in Washington and King County.
- Knowledge of incarceration and substance use issues.
- Knowledge of harm reduction approach and understand that patients can be in recovery while taking medications to treat substance use disorders.
- Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with all people, regardless of background or current circumstances.
- Ability to establish relationships with patients and make them feel comfortable with providers and services.
- Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries and supportive working relationships with patients.
- Ability to refer patients to community services related to their health and safety needs.
- Familiarity with Microsoft programs such as Outlook and the ability to use drop down menus, point and click software, and multiple screens.
- Ability to summarize and document information from client interactions according to program requirements using electronic medical record.
- Ability to engage professionally with community partners during outreach and patient advocacy.
- Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and organize work while meeting deadlines; flexibility and ability to adapt to changing work environment.
- Must possess valid Washington Driver’s License to drive a county vehicle
- Ability to travel on a flexible schedule as needed
- Ability to pass background check
- Supplemental Information
- Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.
Application process:
Applications will be reviewed after the job posting closes. The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:
- NEOGOV/Government Jobs on-line or paper application
- Supplemental questionnaire responses
You may attach multiple documents if you wish:
- Copy and paste one or more documents into the text resume section of the application.
- Attach multiple documents/files in the resume attachment section.
Your application materials must validate your answers to the supplemental questions. If your answers cannot be validated, you will not proceed to the next steps of the process.
The selected candidate will be required to pass a thorough background investigation. In the event the job classification requires an exam; an offer of employment will be contingent on passing a pre-employment physical exam and must maintain security clearance.
Supplemental Information:
This selection process may include but is not limited to: evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, testing and interviewing. For more information on our selection process, please refer to http://www.kingcounty.gov/jobs/applying.aspx
Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
Staff may be required to play an active role in the event of a public health emergency, which may include changes in responsibilities and working hours.
If you need a disability accommodation in the application or testing process, please call the contact number listed on the job announcement.
Applicants from this job posting may be used to fill temporary or other positions in this classification for a period of up to a year.
Additional Information:
Public Health - Jail Health Services follows and maintains federal and state requirements standards including, but not limited to, Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) standards which apply to all public and private institutions that house adult or juvenile offenders. PREA standards preclude the department from hiring or promoting anyone who has engaged in, or been convicted of any conduct which would violate PREA standards related to sexual assault including:
- Sexual abuse in a prison, jail, lockup, community confinement facility, juvenile facility, or other institution.
- Convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse; or,
- Has been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in the activity described above.
Additionally, PREA standards require that the department consider any incidents of sexual harassment involving an inmate or detainee in determining whether or not to hire or promote anyone.
The above is in compliance with PREA and its implementing regulations, 28 C.F.R. Part 115, Subpart A, Section 115.17, Hiring and Promotion Decisions.
Union affiliation:Local 17Contact:
For more information about the application process please contact Mark Lacy at Mlacy@kingcounty.gov.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
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01Do you have a High School diploma or equivalent?
- Yes
- No
02Do you have one-year, full-time experience working with community members or providing direct client services in a health or human service agency?- Yes
- No
03If you answered "Yes" to question #3, please summarize/describe your experiences. If you answered "No", please type N/A.04This is a 3 part question; What area of town do you know best? Describe the services that are available in that area. What services do you think would be most appropriate for people releasing from jail? You can describe more than one area!05What do you believe is the best approach when working with people with substance use disorders? Please explain your response.06In what ways have you worked to improve your understanding of racism and how it impacts people involved in the criminal legal system?07Are you applying to this position as an eligible Current or Previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant AND Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff AND Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?- Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my role at King County AND I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. AND The position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
- No.
08If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoffRequired Question