Community Resource Specialist

City of Mankato•Mankato, MN

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direct supervision of the Public Safety Commander, the Community Resource Specialist is a civilian public safety professional who serves as a bridge between the Department of Public Safety, individuals and families in need, community organizations, and local and regional service providers. The position provides proactive outreach, resource navigation, referral coordination, follow-up, and community engagement for individuals impacted by crime, homelessness or housing instability, mental health concerns, substance use, family or personal crisis, and other circumstances that may contribute to repeated interaction with public safety services. The Community Resource Specialist works collaboratively with Police, Fire, Community Development – Housing, other City departments, Blue Earth County, victim advocacy organizations, behavioral health providers, housing and homelessness service providers, schools, nonprofit organizations, and other community partners to connect individuals with appropriate services and reduce barriers to receiving assistance. Our employees are committed to working in an environment that fosters the core values of the City of Mankato – positive attitude, accountability, respect, teamwork, and integrity. We care about making a positive difference in the lives of others. Our work is challenging and has purpose. We listen and engage with each other and our community. We are empowered and trusted to make good decisions that align with the public service principles and core values. Our organization is committed to investing and developing each other. We will recognize and celebrate our collective achievements and individual accomplishments. We take pride in investing in our employees. Our team enjoys a supportive work environment that encourages not only success for the community we serve, but for you as well. Come grow your career with us!

Requirements

Must possess an Associate’s degree in a field related to the job duties. Degrees may be in Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, Education, Criminal Justice, or related field.
Candidates must possess two (2) years of outreach/advocacy work, code enforcement, public safety or community development experience.
Any satisfactory equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the job proficiently may be substituted for the above requirements.
Must possess a valid driver's license and be able to drive in the State of Minnesota.
Must successfully complete a psychological evaluation from a licensed psychologist, background investigation, physical examination, drug test, and fingerprinting.
Must comply with organizational and departmental policies.
Must comply with data practices policies and standards relative to not public data. Any access to not public data should be strictly limited to accessing the data that are strictly limited to accessing the data that are necessary to fulfill the employment responsibility. While data are being accessed, incumbent should take reasonable measures to ensure the not public data are not accessed by individuals without a work reason. Once the work reason to access the data is reasonably finished the not public data must be properly stored according to city policy and the Minnesota Statutes.

Responsibilities

Provides proactive follow-up, resource coordination, and support for victims of crime, vulnerable adults, youth, and families affected by crisis or traumatic events.
Connects individuals with appropriate victim advocacy, legal, housing, behavioral health, financial, and other community resources.
Coordinates with victim service providers, county agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other partners to improve access to services and identify gaps in available resources.
Conducts proactive outreach and ongoing engagement with individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Assists individuals with navigating shelter, housing, benefits, transportation, employment, food, healthcare, and other basic-needs resources.
Collaborate with City departments, Blue Earth County, housing providers, shelters, nonprofit organizations, and other community partners to promote housing stability and reduce repeated public safety contacts.
Provides outreach, referrals, and resource navigation for individuals experiencing mental health, substance-use, behavioral-health, or other personal crises.
Supports Public Safety personnel during and following appropriate calls for service by assisting with de-escalation, service connections, and follow-up.
Coordinates with crisis teams, treatment providers, recovery organizations, and other community partners and supports diversion or alternative-response efforts when appropriate.
Serves as a primary liaison between Public Safety and residents, neighborhood associations, businesses, schools, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
Coordinates and participates in community engagement, education, crime-prevention, and relationship-building activities, including Night to Unite/National Night Out.
Identifies community concerns and opportunities to strengthen trust, communication, accessibility, and relationships between Public Safety and the community.
Receives referrals from Public Safety and other City staff and coordinates appropriate outreach, services, and follow-up.
Works collaboratively with individuals and service providers to address barriers, coordinate services, and reduce repeated crisis or public safety contacts.
Recognizes circumstances requiring immediate referral to sworn law enforcement, emergency medical services, licensed mental-health professionals, adult or child protection, or other appropriate authorities.
Develops and maintains partnerships with agencies providing victim services, housing, homelessness, behavioral health, substance-use, youth, senior, and other human services.
Maintains current knowledge of community and regional resources and participates in multidisciplinary teams and collaborative community initiatives.
Identifies service gaps, partnership opportunities, and potential improvements to community-resource and outreach programs.
Maintains appropriate, thorough, accurate, timely and professional documentation of contacts, referrals, outreach activities, service connections, outcomes, and other program measures to evaluate effectiveness and identify community trends.
Provides reports and recommendations regarding service needs, recurring issues, program outcomes, and opportunities for improvement.
Provides community education and resource information and supports City staff with training and information regarding available community services.
Maintains records and performs duties in accordance with applicable confidentiality, data-practices, and City requirements.
Performs physical and mental demands and work environment requirements for this position.
Attendance during regularly scheduled work hours and outside regular hours as necessary.
Effective and respectful communication and interactions with other employees, supervisors, individuals from other organizations, and community customers.
Performs other related work as assigned or apparent.