Case Worker - Emergency Assistance

The Salvation Army USA Central Territory•Topeka, KS

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Emergency Assistance Case Worker is responsible for interviewing, evaluating and administering aid to clients seeking assistance with emergency needs. This role involves receiving calls and visitors, screening potential clients, evaluating eligibility for emergency assistance, and making referrals to other agencies. The Case Worker will also assist clients in completing applications for various resources, maintain financial records, prepare grant reimbursements and reports, and submit statistical reports. Additionally, the role includes coordinating the food pantry, facilitating distributions, building community agency relationships, and working closely with the Pathway Of Hope case manager. The position also involves purging and storing files annually, referring clients to the Corps Officer for spiritual needs, and completing other assignments as directed to help clients achieve self-sufficiency.

Requirements

High School diploma
Two years of college work in Human Services, with a bachelor’s degree preferred
A combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to the knowledge base achieved by the above standard is acceptable at The Salvation Army’s discretion
Two years of experience working with low income and vulnerable populations
Must complete The Salvation Army’s Caseworker Certification Program within 90 days of hire
Must have positive interpersonal relations skills
Must have the capacity to relate to people with dignity and respect in a non-judgmental manner
Must possess and demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively, orally, and in writing
Must have the ability to work independently and with other staff members
Ability to operate essential office equipment including telephone, personal computer, copier, fax and scanning equipment
Must possess a valid driver's license from the state in which you reside
Must be approved through The Salvation Army Fleet Safety Program to drive either a Salvation Army or personal vehicle on Salvation Army business

Nice To Haves

A bachelor's degree preferred

Responsibilities

Receive calls and visitors to The Salvation Army
Screen potential clients for immediate emergency assistance needs
Evaluate eligibility requests for emergency assistance needs of individuals and families through scheduled appointments, interviews, contacting third-party sources, and evaluating and verifying all information
Make referrals to other agencies by following the guidelines and procedures of The Salvation Army
Assist clients in completing an application for mainstream resources, commodities, Christmas sign-ups, etc.
Maintain an accounting of all funds received and distributed from the emergency assistance account via spreadsheets, back up documentation, and input into MAAC Link
Assist the Social Ministries Director in preparing all grant reimbursements and reports, keeping extra copies of all documentation
Submit a monthly statistical report of all emergency assistance transactions to the Corps Officer for entering into TSA Statistical System
Establish and maintain familiarity with all emergency assistance grants
Coordinate food pantry, including purchasing of groceries and supervising volunteers
Facilitate seasonal and monthly distributions
Establish and cultivate professional community agency relationships with other helping agencies in the community
Work closely with the Pathway Of Hope (POH) case manager and refer clients to POH
Purge and store files annually
Refer clients to the Corps Officer in times of spiritual need
Complete other assignments as directed by the Corps Officer and/or Social Ministries Director as necessary to the goal of assisting clients on the road to self-sufficiency