Social Services Coordinator

The Salvation Army USA Central Territory•Villa Park, IL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Interviews and assists people who come to the Corps requesting emergency and/or temporary financial assistance. Provides assessment and develops service plans to address current or future needs. May provide material assistance based upon available resources. Provides information and referral for additional or more appropriate services to meet unmet needs for individuals and families served through the Emergency Assistance Program.

Requirements

Minimum of one year of social services experience in a comparable social service agency or education program.
Ability to work with confidential material.
Critical thinking skills including assessment, service planning, material assistance, resource development and networking, referral and linkage, follow-up, and documentation.
Time management skills with a demonstrated ability to prioritize and use initiative.
Capacity to collaborate with Corps, Social Services, and Emergency Disaster Services.
A strong commitment to the mission of The Salvation Army.
Regularly engage in consultation with the Social Services Manager.
Engage in regularly scheduled group case consultation.
Comply with the Territorial Caseworker Certification Program and Training Program.
Must be able to lift 20 pounds.
Regularly required to use standard office equipment and a PC.

Nice To Haves

Degree (AS/AA and 4 years of experience in social services) or BSW or BA/BS in sociology, or human services) preferred.
Bilingual (Spanish/English); ability to communicate fluently in Spanish and English preferred.
Cultural sensitivity with an interest in providing direct services to people of various ethnic, racial, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Friendly with excellent communication (verbal and written) and people skills, using diplomacy and good judgment.
A love for and desire to serve others, especially disenfranchised individuals, families, and the local community through the mission of The Salvation Army.
May provide supervision of community volunteers on specific service projects (i.e., preparation of Christmas baskets, organization of food pantry, etc.).

Responsibilities

Interviews people requesting assistance, to assess their needs. Obtains background information from clients and makes assessments.
Develops service plan with the individual or family to identify service needs and goals. Collaborates with area agencies involved with clients in implementing service plan.
Provides material assistance based upon need and as a part of a total service plan. Verifies eligibility. Documents income, expenses, and family size.
Distributes in-kind or financial aid according to Emergency Assistance Program Policies & Procedures Manual, (i.e., clothing, food, household furnishings, rent/utilities assistance, etc.).
Coordinate and manage food pantry programs. Coordinate, supervise, and recruit volunteer staff for weekly Rescue Food distribution. Work with qualifying individuals for food pantry assistance. Place food orders with Northern Illinois Food Bank.
Coordinate collection and distribution of Back-to-School supplies and backpacks.
Coordinate and distribute Holiday Assistance (Including Thanksgiving food baskets, holiday assistance interview sessions, collection and distribution of Angel Tree tags and gifts, collection and distribution of Adopt-a-Family gifts, collection and distribution of Christmas food baskets, support Toy Shop set-up and distribution)
Makes referrals, based upon need and as a part of the total service plan. Make specific arrangements for clients to apply for additional resources, when appropriate. Refers individuals/families to: Pathway of Hope program, Other area agencies/services, Other corps services, Other Salvation Army services for longer term help (i.e., Salvation Army Shield of Hope, Harbor Light Center, etc.)
Maintains concise comprehensive written case records on all clients requesting assistance, including FEMA, utility assistance programs and seasonal Christmas assistance. Consistently updates interviewer’s notes on client database. Interviewer’s notes include assessment, service plan, assistance given, and referrals made.
Maintains an updated community resource file of area services and maintains positive relationships with frequently used service providers.
Maintains online volunteer database and utilizes volunteers as appropriate.
Attends emergency service workshops sponsored by The Salvation Army or various agencies.
Maintains and processes proper documentation for all FEMA expenditures.
Is responsible for the thoroughness and accuracy of daily and monthly Salvation Army casework statistics and additional program statistics, required by funding sources.
Organizes time and manages job so that maximum service is given to clients and job performance meets corps quantitative standards.
Performs other duties, as assigned.
Regularly engage in consultation with the Social Services Manager.
Engage in regularly scheduled group case consultation.
Comply with the Territorial Caseworker Certification Program and Training Program.
May provide supervision of community volunteers on specific service projects (i.e., preparation of Christmas baskets, organization of food pantry, etc.).
Functions as a representative of the Army and its mission in interactions with internal and external contacts.