COMMUNITY SERVICES SPECIALIST - TRUST 18hrs/week

Momentum for Health • Palo Alto, CA

1d • $35 - $39 • Hybrid

About The Position

This is a temporary position until 06/01/2027, with a potential extension to 06/15/2027. The work schedule is Tuesday through Thursday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, totaling 18 hours per week. This role is primarily field-based, focusing on providing linkage and case management services in the northern Santa Clara County cities of Sunnyvale, Los Altos, and Mountain View. Pay rates for union positions are determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement with SEIU Local 521, with six steps ranging from entry-level to 15 years of employment. The current Step 1 rate is $35.49/hr, and the Step 6 rate is $39.19/hr. Union staff advance from Step 1 to Step 2 upon their one-year anniversary.

Requirements

• High School diploma, GED, or equivalent education plus five years’ experience; OR Associate’s degree plus three years’ experience; OR Bachelor’s degree plus two years’ experience; OR Master’s degree in a related field plus one year’s experience, working in a human service setting.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a small team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and communicate effectively with others in both verbal and written English.
• Demonstrated ability to monitor and support developmental growth and the recovery process.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and demands.
• Demonstrated ability to employ tact and diplomacy, exercise good judgment, and act calmly in emergency situations.
• Demonstrated ability to work from a strengths-based, harm-reduction, social rehabilitation model.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with persons of different value systems, ethnicity, cultural backgrounds, language capabilities, and disabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with individuals identified as those with serious mental illness who meet specific criteria (histories of hospitalization, institutionalization including with the criminal justice system, substance abuse, low engagement in medication treatment, and difficulty in participating in structured activities and living independently).
• Demonstrated ability to work with populations identified as high risk and/or considered under-represented in the County Mental Health system with multiple barriers.
• Demonstrated ability to exhibit exemplary customer service, compassion, and care in the execution of all duties and interactions.
• Demonstrated ability to work with participants who may have histories of assaultive behavior.
• Demonstrated ability to work with participants who may have resided in long-term care facilities for extended periods.
• Demonstrated ability to work with participants who may have patterns of service that relied almost exclusively on emergency and institutional care.
• Demonstrated ability to work with participants who may have cognitive difficulties and medical co-morbidities and are considered medically fragile; may also be developmentally disabled.
• Demonstrated ability to work with participants who may have long-term patterns of homelessness and criminal justice involvement.
• Knowledge of clinical techniques for assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of people with psychological disorders and associated medications; problem resolution and conflict resolution techniques.
• Knowledge of community resources, including those required to meet the non-mental health needs of the target population.
• Must be able to meet and receive a criminal records clearance, as required by Title XXII, other licensing regulations and Momentum practices.
• Proven proficiency in typing—minimum 40 net wpm; computer literacy, including Internet search and a basic proficiency level in Microsoft Office applications and Windows-based databases.
• A valid California Driver License, with access to a reliable vehicle or for driving a company vehicle, current proof of auto liability insurance, and a clean DMV record, with eligibility for a Class B license.
• Physical requirements needed to perform the essential functions of this job, with or without accommodation: Standing, walking, grasping, finger flexion, moving/lifting/carrying objects up to 40 lbs., bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, withstanding repetitive motion, and reaching repeatedly are required constantly (over 2/3 of the workday).
• Hearing and talking on telephone and in person is required occasionally (under 1/3 of workday).
• Balancing, climbing and crawling may be required occasionally.
• Physically able to assist clients and/or staff in the evacuation of program facilities in emergency situations.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a mental health setting or with emotionally disturbed individuals.
• Eligibility for MHRS certificate.
• Familiarity with UNIX-based databases.
• Knowledge of Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) and Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP).

Responsibilities

• Provide mental health rehabilitation and case management services for a caseload, including client families, to assist and support clients in daily living and facilitate community integration.
• Facilitate one-on-one and group sessions through rehabilitation counseling to develop life, coping, and independent living skills; develop curriculums.
• Work with clients' families, educating them on mental health rehabilitation processes and related issues to enable successful transitions.
• Engage clients for outpatient evaluation, performing visits to private homes, locked hospital or jail facilities, community shelters, and medical facilities to build trust.
• Assist clients and their families in preparing for and integrating into community life, including housing, school, employment, and other life-sustaining and independent living skills.
• Provide medical follow-up assistance to clients in obtaining a primary care physician, coordinating care with medical doctors, and assisting with medical issues, schedules, appointments, and transportation.
• Coordinate care with outside mental health professionals and programs.
• Assist in budgeting and financial planning; address health and safety issues and emergency response.
• Facilitate client insurance benefits to expedite treatment and ensure timely payment to representative payees.
• Provide services to clients and their families by linking them with professional and community resources.
• Interface directly with clients to provide counseling, particularly during conflict and for crisis intervention.
• Complete clinical records and other documentation, processes, and procedures using paper or computer technology to enable clients to receive services in accordance with Agency, payor, and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and implement individual service and treatment plans.
• Perform clinical and administrative admissions and discharge paperwork and procedures, including assessing clients for admission, benefit status, and clinical appropriateness, coordinating admittance details, communicating with referral sources, and completing the Admission Summary.
• Enter and maintain up-to-date clinical documentation for each client file, including case notes per Agency standards.
• Track due dates for all paperwork to ensure quality standards and accurate, timely billings.
• Perform general office work, including electronic and telephonic communications and processing of timecards.
• Attend and participate in staff, program, agency, and community meetings and training.
• Provide transportation in personal or agency vehicles for agency business, including transporting clients and/or program supplies.
• Provide appropriate consultation and back-up to support other staff in responding to client crises.
• Provide on-call floor coverage, as needed.
• Provide on-call coverage for non-standard work hours, as needed.
• Interface with staff, clients, and visitors as conditions require and in an unobtrusive manner.
• Ensure compliance with applicable health and safety or other regulatory requirements.
• Ensure work area is clean and well-kept.

Benefits

• Defined contribution amount of up to $15,433.08 per year (prorated for part-time employees) to purchase benefits on a cafeteria plan basis.
• Retirement plan with a generous employer match starting at 4% after one year of employment.
• Vacation time accruing up to 25 days per year.
• 6 days of sick time per year.
• 12 paid holidays.
• Medical benefits – Kaiser (ranging from $0 Deductible Plan with $15 Copay to $3400 Deductible Plan with Health Savings Account).
• Sutter Health plans are also available (from $0 Deductible Plan to $2,500 Deductible Plan).
• Dental benefits – Guardian: 1 dental HMO and 2 PPOs.
• Vision benefits – 2 options from Guardian VSP: a standard vision plan and an enhanced vision plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED