Social Services & Case Worker (Food Pantry) (4330)

THE SALVATION ARMY•Venice, FL

81d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is responsible for receiving and receipting deliveries and donations, greeting and announcing visitors and clients, and providing general information about The Salvation Army's operations and services. It also involves performing routine clerical work such as typing and filing. The role provides social service assistance to eligible clients in areas such as food, lodging, clothing, furniture, and financial assistance. This includes interviewing clients to determine need and eligibility, preparing accurate client records, referring clients to community agencies, and ensuring compliance with program policies and procedures. The position monitors the caseload of clients in the Emergency Financial Assistance (EFA) program and administers emergency financial assistance under the direction of the EFA Program Manager and Director of Social Services. The Case Worker serves as an advocate for clients to acquire services that will prevent further crisis. Key Responsibilities include Social Service Worker Duties (60% of time) and Case Worker Responsibilities (40% of time). Social Service Worker Duties involve greeting and interviewing clients requesting assistance at the food pantry, determining eligibility, recording client disposition and pertinent information, assisting clients with applications, and preparing/processing vouchers for food, clothing, and furniture. This role also directs clients to the Thrift Store, refers qualified clients to the food pantry, coordinates the food pantry, trains volunteers, prepares food bags, receives and processes donated food items, and ensures compliance with USDA guidelines. Assistance with transportation and maintaining client records, statistical records, and monthly reports are also key functions. Case Worker Responsibilities include conducting pre-screen phone interviews for EFA program eligibility, meeting with clients to complete paperwork, collecting and reviewing necessary documents, ensuring completion of online applications, and inputting client and commitment information into systems. This includes providing approval letters, inputting family information into databases, uploading documents while adhering to privacy guidelines, and creating/maintaining file folders if required. Meeting time constraints set by funders and leadership, referring clients to appropriate programs or agencies, attending community meetings, and participating in team meetings are also essential. The role may involve working at multiple locations and adhering to standards set by EFA Program Manager and Director of Social Services. Other responsibilities include preparing and filing client records in HMIS, performing work for special and seasonal projects (e.g., Angel Tree, Disaster Relief), ensuring applications and paperwork are filed per office procedures, and immediately informing the EFA Program Manager of any problems or missed deadlines. Staying up-to-date on emails and changes is also required.

Requirements

Two years of college coursework from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Behavioral Science, or a related field
Two years experience working in a social or public service environment with experience assisting the public
Any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities

Responsibilities

Receives and receipts deliveries and donations
Greets and announces visitors and clients
Provides general information about The Salvation Army's operations and services
Performs routine clerical work such as typing and filing
Provides social service assistance to eligible clients in food, lodging, clothing, furniture, and financial assistance
Interviews clients to determine need and eligibility for services
Prepares accurate and complete client records
Refers clients to community agencies and maintains effective working relationships
Ensures compliance with program policies and procedures
Monitors caseload of clients participating in Emergency Financial Assistance program
Administers emergency financial assistance through a variety of resources
Serves as an advocate for client to acquire services that will prevent further crisis
Greets and interviews clients requesting assistance at the food pantry to determine eligibility
Records clients disposition and other pertinent information such as income, expenses, family and work history
Assists clients in completing applications for assistance
Photocopies social security cards, picture identification cards, payroll statements, utility bills etc.
Prepares, completes, and processes food, clothing, and furniture vouchers for eligible clients
Directs clients to Thrift Store for assistance
Refers qualified clients to food pantry
Coordinates food pantry and trains volunteers to assist with day-to-day operations
Prepares food bags according to the number of family members
Receives and processes donated food items
Ensures compliance with all USDA guidelines and regulations
Assists eligible clients needing transportation assistance
Prepares and files client records in a timely manner ensuring all information is accurate and up-to-date
Reviews and tracks all client records to determine if client is active or inactive
Maintains confidentiality of client information
Prepares and maintains statistical records on all services provided
Compiles and prepares monthly statistical reports
Conducts pre-screen phone interviews to determine initial eligibility for EFA program enrollment
Meets with clients to discuss need and complete required paperwork and items necessary for application process
Collects and reviews all necessary documents from EFA clients either via email or in-person
Ensures completion of client on-line application to determine eligibility and establish the needs
Completes the required spreadsheets and program information systems on the same day the client has been seen
Inputs client and commitment information on FPL Portal and provides a letter of approval to the client
Inputs family information into appropriate databases and checks existing information in said databases, updating if necessary
Uploads documents to existing databases and ensures that privacy guidelines are established and followed
Creates, maintains and/or updates file folders with the names of the client and account holder, dates, grants used, and benefit amounts
Meets the time constraints set forth by funders and EFA leadership
Refers clients to appropriate Corps programs or other agencies based on clients’ needs and in accordance with their program plan
Attends community meetings with representatives of other agencies
Participates in all team meetings by bringing forth questions and possible solutions to outstanding issues
Keeps to the standards and protocols set forth by EFA Program Manager and Director of Social Services
May perform work at one or more locations to meet with clients
Prepares and files client records in a timely manner ensuring all information is accurate and up-to-date through HMIS
Performs related work for special and seasonal projects such as Angel Tree and Disaster Relief
Performs other related work as required
Ensures applications and paperwork are filed per office procedures
Informs EFA Program Manager immediately when there is a problem, potential problem, or if deadlines cannot or have not been met
Remains up-to-date on all emails and changes