Social Services Specialist

Job Title: Social Services Specialist

Job Status: Full-time

Job Summary: Under general supervision, the Social Services Specialist applies expertise in social services through experience, training, or certification to support designated populations, addressing social issues that contribute to quality-of-life improvements. The position is responsible for organizing projects and services with moderate scope and complexity in assisting particular groups, addressing social challenges, and enhancing people's well-being. The role also includes coordinating initiatives that have a moderate level of complexity.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Stay updated on public benefits, their processes, and eligibility, and keep the team informed of any changes to ensure accurate service
• Collaborate routinely with different departments and programs to identify and pursue opportunities for partnership and strategic coordination across initiatives
• Determine training needs and provide instruction as needed
• Build customer relationships, address concerns, and interpret client needs
• Conduct meetings to clarify new policies and their effects on work
• Ensure accurate documentation and follow compliance with quality assurance standards
• Support administrative coordination and evaluation of programs
• Identify clients in need, conduct intake and crisis intervention, develop a tailored service plan, and complete related forms and records
• Work closely with multidisciplinary teams, including healthcare professionals, educators, law enforcement, and community organizations, to ensure clients receive holistic, integrated support
• Explain service processes and requirements to clients prior to application
• Involve clients in setting individual goals and finding resources, both internally and externally
• Advocate clients with agencies and support them through necessary processes; promote clients’ rights and interests in broader systems
• Follow up on referred services to ensure compliance
• Maintain confidentiality of agency and client information
• Participate in committees to improve service delivery
• Create and review customer service metrics, and make improvement recommendations
• Assist with grant writing and participate in funding activities
• Represent the agency at public events and external meetings as assigned
• Connect individuals to resources, such as housing, financial aid, medical care, or counseling
• Provide emotional support and crisis intervention
• Translate and interpret for non-English speaking clients when necessary
• Conduct program analysis and identify participant characteristics
• Oversee, assign, and monitor work to meet program goals efficiently
• Establish contacts to secure grants and additional resources
• Perform other duties assigned duties

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Intermediate to advanced concepts, practices, and procedures of crisis intervention techniques
• Community resources including social services agencies and crisis intervention providers
• Conducting comprehensive assessments of clients’ needs, strengths, and challenges
• Processes, rules and regulations of various services and funding agencies surrounding the eligibility and maintenance of the services being received
• Community social services and differences between the diverse cultural, social, and economic backgrounds of the community

Skill in:

• Operate standard office equipment and Microsoft Office applications
• Show empathy and understand others' perspectives
• Communicate clearly and respectfully for teamwork and advocacy
• Solve problems creatively and think critically
• Handle multiple cases, deadlines, and documents simultaneously
• Demonstrate strong organizational skills
• Follow ethical standards and ensure confidentiality

Ability to:

• Collaborate with other departments to achieve goals
• Lead meetings, addressing diverse perspectives and issues
• Lead quality assurance across a department
• Collect and analyze information objectively for assignments
• Prioritize and manage multiple tasks to meet deadlines
• Remain calm and provide excellent customer service under stress
• Communicate clearly in speech and writing
• Proficient in English; fluency in Arabic, Spanish, or another relevant language is preferred
• Manage concurrent projects and adapt to shifting priorities
• Identify, and coordinate services such as housing, healthcare, mental health support, employment assistance, childcare, educational opportunities, and financial resources
• Respect cultural differences and support clients effectively
• Work both independently and as part of a team

Educational/Previous Experience Requirements:

• Minimum Degree Required:

• Bachler’s degree

• Required Disciplines:
  • Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or closely related field

~and~

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in a closely related position with at least 2 years in a supervisory capacity or any equivalent combination of experience, education and/or training approved by Human Resources

Licenses/Certifications:

• Licenses/Certifications Required at Date of Hire: None

Working Conditions:

Hours: Normal business hours, some additional hours may be required

Travel Required: Local travel, up to 25%

Working Environment: Climate controlled office