Job Description

COMMUNITY WORKER I

JOB CODE 07310

Effective Date:	12/92A

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The fundamental reason this classification exists is to perform entry- level casework services in a Human Services Center or Senior Center in the Human Services Department. Work involves interviewing clients to identify problems and determining eligibility for services, makings referral to appropriate staff or other social service agencies, distributing food boxes or commodities, conducting community outreach presentations, providing services to homebound clients, and working cooperatively with neighborhood and community organizations. Responsibilities require considerable contact with members of minority and poverty groups. Work assignments are generally routine in nature or are described in detail. Work is performed under the supervision of a Casework Unit Supervisor, Caseworker III, Senior Programs Supervisor or part-time Senior Center Manager.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Finds solutions to individual problems relating to immediate needs;
• Acts as an advocate for community resident organizations in obtaining community services;
• Assists with education, service, and social activities for the elderly;
• Attends Neighborhood Council meetings, gives assistance, participates in planning, and provides information and advice;
• Interviews individuals and refers them to appropriate social agencies;
• Organizes and provides leadership in citizen groups and committees;
• Seeks out and encourages residents to participate in identifying and alleviating community problems;
• Acts as a liaison between individuals and groups in the Neighborhood Council and other community resources;
• Prepares publicity materials of Neighborhood Council activities;
• Recruits and supervises volunteers engaged in community outreach activities;
• Prepares and distributes informational flyers and conducts surveys;
• Updates a current file of social services available to area residents;
• Compiles records and prepares monthly program reports;
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Anti-poverty programs and services.

Ability to:

• Understand the problems of minority and disadvantaged groups.
• Use effective interviewing techniques.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions in the English language.
• Work cooperatively with City employees, clients, and the public.
• Communicate orally in the English language with customers, clients, and the public using a telephone and in group and one-on-one, face-to-face settings.
• Move object weighing less than 20 pounds distances greater than 20 feet.
• Learn job-related material primarily through oral instruction and observation. This learning takes place mainly in an on-the-job training setting.
• Comprehend and make inferences from written material.
• Produce documents written in the English language using proper sentence structure, punctuation, grammar, and spelling.

Additional Requirements:

• Some positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license, and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
• Some positions will require the performance of other essential and marginal functions depending upon work location, assignment, or shift.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:
One year of experience working with the public in the direct provision of social services supplemented by some college coursework in social work, sociology, or a related field. Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum qualifications may be substituted.