Social Worker I - Coordinated Entry: Grant Funded

Mecklenburg County•Charlotte, NC

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is onsite public facing and may be located between 3205 Freedom Drive, Charlotte, NC 28208 and between partner locations in which people seeking shelter may attend. This position is funded by a Department of Housing and Urban Development grant (HUD), subject to annual renewal. Current grant ends May 31st, 2027. County restrictions may prohibit annual pay raises. This position requires both in person and call center functions and duties. Standard hours of Monday – Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Weekend and/or after-hours shifts may be required, depending on volume and business needs. Subject to change, based on need. Mecklenburg County is the Lead Agency for Coordinated Entry (CE) for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Continuum of Care. Coordinated Entry is the intake for the local homeless response system. It is part of the process to access homeless resources and shelter in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. This Social Worker I position conducts Coordinated Entry (both in person and telephonically) with individuals and families experiencing homelessness, or those at imminent risk of homelessness, to efficiently connect them to the best available (scarce) homeless shelter, temporary housing, or homeless prevention options in the community. It may require the provision of short-term Systems Navigation support to clients until which time they are connected to a homeless services case manager and/or their situation resolves. This fast-paced, intense work environment position engages clients within a strengths-based, solution focused framework to identify their service needs and goals, and to facilitate referrals to community resources so that clients have a plan of action toward enhanced self-determination. CE clientele is diverse and brings with them a wide range of experiences and concerns; and may be in different stages of mental health, substance use, and trauma recovery. This requires the ability to compassionately engage customers/callers, who may be in crisis, despite limited resources. In addition to clients, the Social Worker I requires the ability to effectively engage with community partners to provide on-site CE to clients wherever they may be (in places not meant for human habitation, hospitals, treatment centers, day centers, shelters, etc.) Community Support Services positions: This position performs key job functions at a community partner work site. Employment in this position is conditional upon following all policies and procedures of the community partner host agency and adhering to all requirements that the community partner agency has established to grant and maintain physical and/or virtual access to the work site. If access is revoked, employment MAY be terminated.

Requirements

Bachelors of Social Work from an accredited school of social work and one year of social work experience; or a qualifying internship; or successfully completion of the NC Child Welfare Collaborative program; or a bachelor's degree in a related field with 15 hours of social work/counseling courses and two years of social work experience; or Master's degree from an accredited school of social work; or a master's degree in a related field with one year of social work experience.
Requires a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver's License
Requires County Driving Privileges
Knowledge of General social work principles and available resources
Knowledge of Social services procedures, practices and methods
Knowledge of Social services related federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations relating to provision of public assistance, and social welfare
Knowledge of Case management methods and techniques
Knowledge of Services offered by the county and other local public and private community-based service agencies
Skills Prioritizing work
Skills Managing and executing multiple tasks
Skills Maintaining various confidential records
Skills Evaluating records to ensure accreditation standards are met
Skills Using computers and related software applications
Skills Exercising judgment and discretion
Abilities Adaptability: Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures
Abilities Building Customer Loyalty: Effectively meeting customer needs; building productive customer relationships; taking responsibility for customer satisfaction and loyalty
Abilities Building Partnerships: Identifying opportunities and taking action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, units, or organizations to help achieve business goals
Abilities Building Trust: Interacting with others in a way that instills confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization
Abilities Care Management: Having the knowledge and skills to secure relevant patient care data and identify key issues and relationships in the management of patient care; understanding the relationships among assessments, interventions, and patient responses; skilled in documentation of assessments and adjusting physical and cognitive prescriptions as needed
Abilities Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the information provided
Abilities Customer Focus: Ensuring that the customer perspective is a driving force behind business decisions and activities; crafting and implementing service practices that meet customers’ and own organization’s needs
Abilities Decision Making: Identifying and understanding issues, problems, and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences
Abilities Inspiring Others: Using interpersonal styles and methods to inspire and guide individuals toward higher levels of performance
Abilities Managing Conflict: Dealing effectively with others in an antagonistic situation; using appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to reduce tension or conflict between two or more people
Abilities Work Standards: Setting high standards of performance for self and others; assuming responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks; self-imposing standards of excellence rather than having standards imposed
Proficient in applicable computer programs

Nice To Haves

Bilingual skills in Spanish (both oral and written) highly preferred.
Prior experience with software/apps such as SharePoint, DialPad, and HMIS/Bitfocus.
Prior experience in a fast-paced call center setting or understanding of and adherence to call center performance metrics.
Ability to provide quality customer service (customers include clients, host/partner agencies and the community).
Commitment to a strength-based, solution-focused, person-centered approach to client engagement with respect for clients’ right to self-determination.
Working knowledge of Solution-Focused strategies and Motivational Interviewing.
Experience with crisis response and de-escalation.

Responsibilities

Assess needs of individuals and families
Interview clients, obtains family, social, and medical information
Determine clients' eligibility for financial assistance and if referrals are appropriate
Provide counseling and services in both individual and group settings
Discuss goals, expected outcomes and means with which to meet goals and expected outcomes
Assist clients in the completion of required paperwork for items that may determine program eligibility, referrals, or provide job assistance, such as job applications
Manage records and maintains history records and prepare reports of services provided
Refer clients to community resources for services and coordinates benefits and referrals to other agencies
Develop and evaluate service plans in consultation with clients, and perform follow-ups assessing the quantity and quality of services provided
Help clients work with government agencies to apply for and receive benefits
Transport clients to appointments such as medical, job-related, or others, if appropriate
Manage records and documentation of services provided and participate in team case conferences
Act as a liaison with other staff with referrals and transitioning of clients
May be required to staff shelters in the event of a disaster