Community Services Counselor-Resource Navigator

Snohomish County•Everett, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Join our Snohomish County Human Services Team! The office of Housing and Community Services is hiring one (1) Community Services Counselor Resource Navigator position. Resource Navigators work in a supportive team environment collaborating with colleagues and community agency staff, to support households experiencing homelessness to resolve their housing crisis. An ideal candidate for this position: Has experience working with low income, indigent or homeless populations; Has a desire to assist clients with accessing services and achieving self-sufficiency; Demonstrates a commitment to equitable systems and processes; Will be able to establish and maintain effective relationships with clients, social service program staff, other county staff, and the public. Bilingual English/Spanish preferred. About Human Services: Human Service Department mission is to help all persons meet their basic needs and develop their potential by providing timely, effective human services and building community. The Human Services Department includes 350+ diverse, friendly and dedicated employees who benefit from outstanding benefits and competitive wages. Employees are appreciated and have the opportunity to make a real difference in our community. Snohomish County is thriving and is a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family. We strive to not only provide a meaningful job, but a life-long career at Snohomish County. Human Services strives to be an equitable and trauma-informed department. Our department believes every interaction, procedure, and policy provides an opportunity to build a pathway toward a more resilient and restorative Snohomish County.

Requirements

A Bachelor's degree in psychology, sociology, social work, social welfare, counseling and guidance or closely related field; PLUS, one (1) year of experience working with and supporting direct services with homeless clients and those at risk of becoming homeless; OR, any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities.
A valid Washington State Driver's License, unrestricted except as to vision, will be required prior to appointment.
Knowledge of housing homelessness and low income issues and resources functions and resources of social and health service agencies
Ability to effectively interview clients, prepare action plans, determine courses of action and evaluate individual progress
Ability to establish and maintain rapport with clients, guide them toward positive goals and communicate with them in both supportive and confront modes
Ability to communicate effectively with people regardless of age, sex or social, economic, or cultural background including persons with social or behavioral issues
Ability to respond effectively in crisis and emergency situations
Ability to express ideas and recommendations clearly and effectively both orally and in writing
Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with social service system officials, community organizations and agency staff, associates, other county employees, and the public
Ability to follow oral and written instructions
Ability to maintain detailed records and prepare clear, concise written reports
Ability to exercise initiative and judgment and make decisions within the scope of assigned authority
Ability to read, interpret, and apply work related laws, rules, and other regulations
Ability to operate a personal computer for data entry, word processing, and to develop job related materials

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

Interviews clients, reviews records and consults other professional sources in order to identify problems, assess client needs, gather information regarding eligibility for various programs and become acquainted with the clients.
Assists clients in accessing needed services and/or programs available through community agencies; makes referrals as appropriate; monitors and measure' client progress.
Provides guidance and emotional support to assist clients in understanding and overcoming barriers to housing; assists clients in resolving housing problems and crisis situations.
Maintains contacts with area social and health service agencies to keep informed of services available and develop new resources; keeps informed about new developments and techniques in counseling, guidance, and housing.
Maintains detailed case records; prepares required reports, forms, documents and grant requests; operates personal computer to record data, write reports, and prepare other written materials
Responds to telephone and written requests for information from potential clients, government agencies, other county departments, human service providers, and the general public.
May serve as liaison between the County and program subcontractors, other affected agencies, and various community groups as required; coordinates program activities with other Human Services divisions and programs and with other agencies and groups as necessary.
May manage computerized service data and reporting systems using databases and spreadsheets to generate reports and tracking program information as necessary.
Performs related duties as required.