Human Services Specialist II - CRIA Specialist

Human Services Specialist II - CRIA Specialist

The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Human Services Specialist II position.

An Overview

The CRIA Specialist position provides information on a myriad of programs and services in response to specific inquiries from residents and community-based organizations. Using an updated resource file and database, Information and Referral Specialists link individuals in need of information and/or services to appropriate resources. The Information & Referral Specialist also represents the Information and Referral team at training, community meetings, events, and other venues as needed.

What You Should Bring 

The ideal candidate will have exceptional oral and written communication skills, as well as organizational and time management skills. Excellent listening skills and the ability to apply critical thinking to respond effectively to situations. Ability to work successfully with clients on a person-centered level and to empower them in the constructive use of their own capabilities. Knowledge of aging, health, intellectual disability, mental illness, trauma and other problems and processes that affect development. Knowledge of social problems that affect functioning such as current social, economic and health problems, including the specialized needs of older adults, poverty, drug addiction and the dynamics surrounding these issues. The ability to prioritize tasks and work with frequent interruptions. Knowledge of human services systems, community resources, and referral processes. Experience working in support of people with diverse educational, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds. Ability to work with people of all backgrounds and sensitivity to the challenges of those experiencing homelessness and/or unstable housing situations with complex presentations, including chronic trauma. Ability to interact constructively and work in harmony with diverse community interests. High level of personal accountability for the quality and impact of work. Ability to function well in a team environment as well as independently. Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.

The Opportunity 

• Assessing and diagnosing an individual’s human service problems and needs;
• Identifying appropriate resources, exploring options, and assisting the individual in solving as appropriate;
• Creating action plans for clients and providing follow-up and monitoring to ensure compliance;
• Providing early identification and intervention for client’s concerns; 
• Providing crisis intervention for walk-in clients as necessary and redirects them to proper resources;
• Assessing client for benefit qualifications and assists with applications to access said programs;
• Preparing client records for Peerplace or related databases and runs reports as needed;
• Advocating on behalf of the individual, when necessary;
• Facilitating coordination between formal and informal resources in execution of plans;
• May provide short-term case management, care coordination and/or options counseling
• Training volunteers to provide information & referral services.
• Other duties as required.

About the Department 

The Center for Adult Services (CAS) provides programs and services in Aging; Adult Protective Services; Clinical & Emergency Services; and Community & Residential Support Services for seniors and for persons with mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance use disorders. CAS provides compassionate and effective person-centered services based on best practices. Our teams support self-determination, safety and recovery for Alexandria residents affected by abuse, neglect, mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance use disorders.

Bachelor's Degree in psychology, social services, public health, guidance, or a related field; three years of experience in the provision of mental health and/or substance abuse treatment services, including some experience at the level of Caseworker; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Employees must possess a valid driver's license issued by the State of their residence.

Masters’ Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, or other related field.  AIRS (Alliance of Information & Referral Systems) certification as a Community Resource Specialist Aging/Disabilities (CRS-A/D).   Fluency in Spanish, Amharic, Korean, Farsi or Dari a plus. At least one (1) year of experience with the Peerplace Database.

This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment background checks including but not limited to: FBI/Federal Records Check; VA State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry; Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database; Verification of education/certifications; Drug screening; and Driver's license.

Schedule:

Monday through Friday, 8:30AM – 5:00PM, flexing on some nights and weekends as needed