Community Outreach Worker

Description

THE POSITION:

Community Outreach Workers are assigned to either the Network for Homeless Solutions Division of the City Manager's Office or the Senior Center in the Parks & Community Services Department. Under general supervision, performs daily outreach and case management to individuals including senior citizens or those deemed as homeless residents of Costa Mesa, provides intervention services and constant care as an incentive to assist senior citizens or homeless residents in obtaining services from community organizations and government agencies.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:

An incumbent of this classification performs case management and intervention services to Costa Mesa senior citizens or homeless residents. The incumbent exercises independent judgment and skillful application of para-professional counseling and intervention services. The Community Outreach Worker works under general supervision of the Neighborhood Improvement Manager or supervisory staff of the Senior Center.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:


The first application review date has passed. Accepting applications for future positions that may open within the Network for Homeless Solutions division of the City Manager's Office.

Applications must be completed and submitted online and a copy of unofficial college transcripts and/or a copy of college degree must be attached. This recruitment may close without prior notice, therefore prompt application is encouraged.

Candidates are requested to provide specific information regarding their education and experience as it relates to the position by completing all fields of the application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete. If desired, candidates may upload a resume into their application in the “Attachments” field of the application. However, applicants may not submit a resume in lieu of completing the online application. Based upon the information presented on the application, a limited number of candidates who possess qualifications most pertinent to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process. The selection process may include, but is not limited to, the following components: application review and evaluation, written examination or exercise, physical examination, practical exercise and interview evaluation. Please notify the Human Resources Division 72 hours in advance of the test date if you have a disability which requires accommodation for the testing process.

The eligibility list will be in effect for one (1) year, unless exhausted sooner. The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be utilized to fill future full-time and part-time and lower-level vacancies which occur during the life of the list. Notifications during this recruitment will be sent by email only (regardless of the notification preference selected during the online application process) and will be sent to the email address that is listed on your online application.

All employment offers made by the City are contingent upon establishing proof of a prospective candidate's legal authorization to work in the United States and successfully passing all components of the pre-employment process which may include, but is not limited to: comprehensive background check, criminal history check (Live Scan fingerprint check), polygraph examination, post-offer psychological evaluation and post-offer medical evaluation (may include drug screen).

Note: The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provisions contained within may be modified or revoked without notice.

Essential Functions

These functions may not be present in all positions in this class. When a position is to be filled, the essential functions will be noted in the announcement of position availability. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind work assignments as needed.

Serve as a liaison and advocate for assigned clientele as appropriate and needed.

Establish and maintain effective and positive working relationships with clientele to provide para-professional counseling and case management services.

Develop and maintain relationships with various public and private service agencies, community groups, and the faith-based community to obtain services for clients and stay abreast of new trends and practices in community outreach.

Assess client needs and characteristics; identify short-term and long-term needs, provide resources and referrals based on client needs and coordinate service delivery plans.

Identify and provide recommendations to clients, personnel and partnering agencies regarding ongoing support services to meet client needs and ensure that clients are receiving the most appropriate form of care and/or support; assist in accessing and obtaining services; instruct clients how to self-assess and access services.

Assist in developing and maintaining computer database or manual reports of ongoing services to clients; complete weekly or daily field notes and logs to track case management efforts; complete client interview forms to gather relevant data and statistics of clients served; electronically document contact and progress of current and former Costa Mesa clients.

When assigned to the City Manager’s Office (Network for Homeless Solutions)

Conduct and document client follow up checks on success of client/agency linkages; conduct post relocation follow-up on all clients that participated in project reconnect; maintain appropriate contact with former homeless clients who received services and no longer reside in Costa Mesa to conduct and document client progress checks.

Assist police and fire safety personnel in non-enforcement situations involving homeless clients and obtain appropriate care for clients; assist safety personnel with non-psychiatric emergencies such as transporting clients to substance abuse treatment; may interface with hospital personnel regarding emergency services and recuperative care for homeless clients.

Assist Code Enforcement with business related issues in providing resources to the clients in need.

Accompany clients to court to advocate for criminal resolutions to enable them to obtain social services and/or return to family members.

Attend weekly Network for Homeless Solutions meetings or other community meetings, project updates, and case management meetings as needed.

When assigned to the Parks and Community Services Department (Senior Center)

Provide case management support to third party agencies on an as needed basis such as Orange County Meals on Wheels.

Conduct and document client follow-up checks on success of client/agency linkages; perform client evaluations and follow-up checks by phone or in person on a quarterly basis and submit reports as needed.

Facilitate support group meetings.

Provide individual support and counseling to seniors.

Create, develop, and implement support groups/programs that support senior demographics as needed.

Collaborate with community partners to provide in-kind services to enrich lives of seniors.

Apply for and maintain data for CDBG funding.

Stay up to date on current trends of senior services and community resources.

Maintain current resource list and client information.

Prepare and execute community outreach efforts by presenting available services at the Costa Mesa Senior to local senior living facilities and other local partnering agencies.

Qualification Guidelines

A typical way to obtain the requisite knowledge and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of this classification is as follows:

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in psychology, counseling, human services, social science, social work or a related field and two years experience in providing case management, counseling, social services or working with the homeless. The equivalent to a maximum of two full years of applicable paid work experience may be substituted on a year for year basis for the Bachelor’s degree requirement (i.e. Associates Degree, plus four years of experience).

Bilingual Spanish/English skills are desirable.

An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience that provides the desired knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform essential functions may also be considered.

LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATE:

Possession of a valid California Driver’s License by date of appointment. Revocation of license during employment may result in disciplinary action or reassignment.

REQUISITE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL LEVELS:

Knowledge of the principles and techniques of interviewing and para-professional counseling.

Knowledge of social services programs and providers available; networking approaches to identify client relevant support services.

Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint programs. Knowledge of Microsoft Publisher is required when assigned to the Parks and Community Services Department.

Skill in communicating effectively with persons of diverse ethnic, social and economic backgrounds.

Skill in social perceptiveness and service orientation.

Skill in communicating effectively both orally and in writing.

Skill in critical thinking, problem solving and conflict management.

When assigned to the Parks and Community Services Department (Senior Center):

California Licensed Social Worker (LCSW) License preferred.

Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred.

When assigned to the Office of the City Manager (Network for Homeless Solutions):

Knowledge of the County of Orange Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) for data reporting.

Knowledge of Continuum of Care program with the County of Orange.

REQUISITE ABILITIES:

Ability to communicate professionally with City Council, City leadership, City departments, community partners, non-profits and other organizations.

Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships and work effectively with persons of diverse ethnic, social and economic backgrounds.

Ability to communicate effectively with persons displaying psychological and substance-induced behaviors such as depression, anger and confusion.

Ability to communicate orally and sufficiently to secure information from clients, convey information on services available and to make effective referrals to services needed.

Ability to operate a computer; document and record information electronically and in written format; maintain reports, logs and files and databases; write clear and concise reports.

Supplemental Information

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISASTER SERVICE WORKER:

In accordance with Government Code Section 3100 - all City of Costa Mesa employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.

PHYSICAL TASKS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

Please contact Human Resources for a summary of the essential tasks and environmental factors for this classification.

Employee accommodations for physical or mental disabilities will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

To view 2024 benefit information for all groups, Click Here
To view 2025 benefit information for all groups, Click Here

New Full-Time employees contribute 9% of their salary on a pre-tax basis towards the 2%@60 or 2%@62 CalPERS retirement formula depending on eligibility.

Full-Time employeesreceive the following health insurance flexible benefits contribution:

• Current: $1,600monthly
• Effective January 2025: $1,650monthly

New Part-Time employees are appointed by and serve at the will of the Department Director. They are reviewed for merit salary advancement on a periodic basis. Generally, part-time employees are limited to no more than 1,000 hours of work per fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). Certain part-time employees, however, are permitted to exceed this limit.Part-time employees participate in either the Public Agency Retirement System (PARS) or the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) depending on eligibility. Employees enrolled in PARS contribute 3.75% of salary with a matching City contribution. Employees enrolled in CalPERS contribute 7% - 9% of salary depending on eligibility. Part-time positions are eligible to receive general leave benefits. General leave can be used for sick, vacation, or holiday time.

The City does not participate in the Social Security system; however, federal mandate requires all new employees to contribute 1.45% of wages to Medicare. As a condition of employment, all new employees are required to enroll and participate in the direct deposit program.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Continuous

• 

• City of Costa Mesa

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