Human Services Caseworker I (Housing)

Salary: $22.28 Hourly

Location : Fallon, NV

Job Type: Full-Time Regular

Job Number: 2023-0043

Department: Social Services

Opening Date: 06/06/2023

Closing Date: Continuous

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Position Summary

Do you want to work with disadvantaged populations to help them succeed and overcome obstacles? They might need housing assistance. Or it could be help obtaining and keeping employment. Some folks may need emergency assistance. Some of the clients may have obstacles that may seem insurmountable, but they’re not always. Do you want to help those who are challenged this way? If so, read on…

Churchill County is currently recruiting for a full-time opening for the position Human Services Caseworker I to primarily work with the county’s housing and stabilization programs. This is a grant funded position – continued employment in the position is contingent on continued receipt of grant funding. The grant funding for this position is fairly stable and is typically renewed every year, but we need to make sure applicants know about the grant funding. (The position has been funded continuously for nearly 20 years.)

Consider working for Churchill County! The county pays 100% of the retirement contribution to PERS on your behalf (33% over and above your wage, equivalent to $15,200/year). The county pays 100% of the employee-only health insurance premiums (equivalent to $11,050/year). AND you will not have Social Security taken out of your paycheck, which results in an additional 6% take-home pay (equivalent to $2,700/year).

If you are interested and qualified for one of these openings, submit an application online at . Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Position Summary: Responsible for providing case management services to residents requiring stabilization assistance with rent, utilities, medical, employment, or other issues; provides direct assistance and referral to appropriate community resources.

Distinguishing Characteristics: This class is responsible for case management in a specified social services program area. This class is distinguished from Human Services Caseworker II in that the latter performs more intensive casework and follow-up duties. This class is distinguished from the Social Services Director in that the latter performs professional social work duties and responsibilities and oversees all operations of the department.

Essential Functions
This job description indicates, in general, the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions (as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act) expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.

• Demonstrates regular, reliable and punctual attendance.
• Interviews clients to determine needs and eligibility for services/programs.
• Reviews and processes applications for prescription medications, indigent medical services, employment assistance, and other related programs/services.
• Reviews case notes and files and determines appropriate needs and determines courses of action.
• Provides outreach to the community or client base to which assigned; makes clients aware of services and community resources available to them.
• Assists clients in completing applications; provides factual information regarding various program regulations and procedures; may act as an advocate for the client with other organizations.
• Reviews and processes crime victim referrals for law enforcement as appropriate.
• Creates and maintains case files; maintains accurate documentation regarding all information received and actions taken.
• Maintains accurate logs and complies records of work performed.
• Contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the department’s service to its customers by offering suggestions and directing or participating as an active member of a work team.
• Enters client and case information into an automated database system.
• Represents the County with dignity, integrity, and a spirit of cooperation in all relationships with staff and the public.

Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education and Experience
Two (2) years of college level coursework in social work or a closely related field; AND two (2) years of experience in performing social services casework; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Required Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of case management.
• Program policies and procedures related to the provision of social services.
• Codes and regulations related to the work.
• Standard office practices and procedures, including filing and the operation of standard office equipment.
• Business letter writing and the standard format for typed materials.
• Record keeping principles and practices.
• Business arithmetic.
• Correct business English, including spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Techniques for dealing with a variety of individuals from various socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, in person and over the telephone, often where relations may be confrontational or strained.
• Computer applications related to the work.

Skill in:

• Performing specialized eligibility determinations.
• Making appropriate referrals and performing basic case and investigative work.
• Interviewing and investigating to make appropriate eligibility determinations.
• Understanding, applying and explaining applicable codes and regulations.
• Making accurate arithmetic calculations.
• Maintaining accurate records and files related to work performed.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Speaking English effectively to communicate in person or over the telephone.
• Dealing successfully with a variety of individuals from various socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, in person and over the telephone, often where relations may be confrontational or strained.
• Organizing own work, setting priorities and meeting critical deadlines.
• Using initiative and independent judgment within general policy guidelines.

Required Certificates, Licenses and Registrations

• Nevada Driver’s License.

Physical Demands and Working Environment
The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Mobility to work in a typical office setting and use standard office equipment; stamina to sit for extended periods of time; strength and agility to lift and carry up to 20 pounds; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen, and hearing and speech to communicate over the telephone and in person.

Conditions of Employment

1. Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.
2. New employees are required to submit to a background investigation and if hired for a safety-sensitive position, a drug/alcohol screen. Employment is contingent upon passing the background and the drug/alcohol screen (if applicable).
3. Churchill County participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS, with information from each applicant’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered employment must complete Section 1 of the Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity prior to starting employment. Please be prepared to provide required documentation as soon as possible after the job offer is made.

DISCLAIMER: Churchill County provides benefits to regular employees. Benefits are prorated for some part time, regular positions (depending on job). Most part time positions provide no benefits.

No Nevada state income tax

Retirement
Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) of Nevada – Churchill County contributes 29.75% of an eligible Regular Member’s salary for retirement. Churchill County contributes 44.00% of an eligible Police Member’s salary for retirement. Retirement benefits are available to employees hired in positions that work 20 hours per week or more on a regular basis. Positions of less than 20 hours per week (or less than 1040 hours in a fiscal year) will receive Social Security contributions and will not be enrolled in PERS.

Deferred Compensation Plans
Employees can also participate in the VOYA 457 deferred compensation plan, which is funded by the employee. This allows the employee to save money in pre-tax dollars toward retirement.

Cafeteria Health Coverage Plan – Full-time employees’ health insurance begins the first of the month after one month of employment. (Employees must work an average 30 or more hours per week on a regular basis to qualify for health insurance coverage.)

The county offers a “Cafeteria” health plan to full-time employees, which allows employees to pick and choose the best health plan for them and their family. The county offers three health plans – a base PPO plan with a $1,500 deductible, a “buy-up” PPO plan with a $750 deductible, and a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a $2,700 deductible and a Health Savings Account (HSA), to which the county contributes $150 per month. In addition, the county also provides the following: a prescription plan, a dental plan, and a vision plan. The county currently contributes 100% of the employee premiums for the base PPO plan and the HDHP, as well as for the prescription, dental, and vision plans. Employees who elect dependent coverage pay 100% of the dependent premiums – employees can elect to have those premiums deducted in pre-tax dollars.

Vacation Leave
Full-time, regular county employees scheduled to work 40 hours per week accrue 8 hours per month of annual (vacation) leave per year. Part-time, regular county employees accrue annual (vacation) leave vacation at a prorated amount depending the number of hours worked. Employees earn additional annual leave hours at 5, 10, 15, and 25 years of service up to a maximum of 240 hours (30 days) per year. While on probation an employee is not granted vacation leave for the first six months; the employee still accrues vacation leave during this time and will be credited with 48 hours of vacation leave after six months of employment in their regular position.

Sick Leave
Full-time, regular county employees scheduled 10 hours of sick leave per month, with no maximum accrual. Part-time, regular employees accrue sick leave at a prorated amount depending the number of hours worked.

Holidays – Regular county employees enjoy 11 paid holidays per calendar year including New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Nevada Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Family Day (Friday after Thanksgiving), and Christmas Day. In addition, County employees are entitled to one floating holiday per year, to be used at a time agreed to by the employee and his or her supervisor. (Regular, part-time employees receive prorated holidays based on the number of hours normally worked.)

Tuition Reimbursement
Churchill County values it’s employees and empowers all employees to enhance their skills by taking job-related college courses as well as participating in job related workshops and seminars. To that end, for regular employees the county has a generous Tuition Reimbursement policy for accredited courses, reimbursing up to $1,200 per year in educational expenses.

01

What is your experience working in a social services environment?

• Zero to 2 Years
• 2 to 5 Years
• More than 5 Years

02

More specifically, what is your experience performing social services case work?

• Zero to 2 Years
• 2 to 5 Years
• More than 5 Years

03

Have you completed 60 semester units of college, with an emphasis in social services or a closely related field?

• Yes
• No

04

In what field did you concentrate your college studies indicated above? (In addition, what relevant classes have you taken?)

05

Do you have experience tracking and overseeing the use of grant funding?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you have knowledge and experience working with HUD regulations and guidelines?

• Yes
• No

07

What role do the caseworker and the client play to ensure the client meets program eligibility requirements?

08

What do you see as the greatest challenges homeless clients must overcome to obtain and maintain a stable housing situation for themselves and their families?

09

How do you feel about visiting clients’ homes for inspections, case management, etc.?

Required Question