Public Health Community Social Worker

Job purpose

The Community Social Worker employee should be a compassionate professional who will serve the community by assisting our residents that are affected by issues such as homelessness, domestic violence, mental health, substance use, hoarding issues, food insecurities, and other social service needs. While there is co-occurrence between these issues, this position has a strong focus on social service needs. This individual will be responsible in assessing and identifying the needs of individuals, families, and the community to establish, organize, execute, and promote community outreach programs, workshops, and support groups to address the unmet needs of residents and social services. This individual also needs to have the ability to continue to reassess the community’s needs with the ever-changing times. The Community Social Worker professional has a preventive and reactive role working to connect individuals and families to the appropriate levels of care for wellness and prevention. 

Duties and responsibilities

• Implement various therapeutic techniques, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, and other • evidence- based practices to address clients’ issues.
• Provide residents and family members with advice, guidance, consultation, resources, and follow up regarding health services, social services, housing, substance use, domestic violence, housing, and mental health.
• Prepare and make public presentations, as well as informational and educational materials as needs are identified within the community.
• Facilitate workshops and community outreach programs individually and with co-workers.
• Perform and provide case management, crisis intervention, intervention in situations of self-neglect, emotional crisis, or elder abuse.
• Respond to emergency situations with appropriate interventions to ensure clients’ immediate safety and provide follow-up care, and referrals to other agencies and services as needed.
• Maintain a network of community agencies, resources, and services available to assist residents and their families of all demographics with addiction and/or mental health issues.
• Coordinate and work with other Town departments, Boards, Agencies, and Services when necessary.
• Maintain appropriate records of all visits and interactions. Maintain residents’ files in accordance with applicable regulations and privacy/confidentiality needs; maintain confidentiality and discretion.
• Search, apply, prepare, and manage Grant opportunities.
• Participate in Greater Lowell Health Alliance task forces as needed, participate in additional groups/task forces, and teams as requested by department head.
• Utilize social media, print media, CTV, televised media, and any other resources to advertise programs.
• Assist in all aspects of the Health department initiatives community events, programs, health emergencies, enforcement, answering calls, attend training sessions, meetings, and assisting other staff as needed, which requires independent judgment to ensure compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, and compliance with departmental policies, procedures, and methods.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, elected officials, residents, and members of the general public.
• Represent the Health department on internal and external work groups as needed.
• Participate in emergency preparedness operations as needed.
• Additional related tasks of equivalent skills and responsibilities may be performed as service requirements change as well as other duties as required.

Qualifications

• Experience working with clients affected by issues including homelessness, food insecurities, hoarding, mental health, substance use, domestic violence, and other social service needs.
• Experience facilitating groups, support groups, educational programs, and be well organized. Ability to design, implement, and evaluate programming.
• Knowledge of HIPAA regulations, and confidentiality at all times.
• Outreach experience.
• Commitment to the role of public health in promoting racial justice and health equity.
• Proficient in Word, Excel, Outlook, Canva, and PowerPoint.
• Master’s degree in social work, human services, or related field.
• Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) certification within one year of employment.
• The Foundations Course for Local Public Health completed within the first year of employment.
• Emergency Management Institute ICS 100, 200, 300, and 700 NIMS training certification within the first year of employment.
• CPR/First Aid certification within the first 6 months of employment.
• Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor completed within the first year of employment.
• Participate in relevant training modules through Train-Org, training meetings, and staff meetings. 

Working Conditions 

Conduct out of office visits across the community and region. May encounter challenging clients. Must have reliable personal transportation to commute to various job locations. A valid driver’s license

Physical 

Work in a normal office environment; at times, may be subject to extreme temperature, noise, odors, etc. May spend extended periods at computer terminal, on telephone, or operating other office machines requiring eye-hand coordination and finger dexterity. Regular lifting and carrying of files, documents, and records. 

Disclosure

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

EEO/AA

It is the policy of the Town of Chelmsford not to discriminate against any employee because of age, race, color, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other federally protected class.