Social Services Technician

About the role

The Social Services Technician provides professional-level services to individuals in need of assistance. This position assesses client needs, coordinates support services, and advocates on behalf of clients to promote well-being, stability, and access to care. The technician documents service delivery and progress, supports program operations in various settings, and maintains current knowledge in community health, harm reduction, and behavioral health services.

Responsibilities

• Obtains relevant information about clients through interview, assessment, and case history to determine the client’s case management needs, existence, or level of addiction severity.
• Assists in the determination of proper therapeutic approaches and level of care and reports client adherence to program goals and objectives.
• Works in conjunction with other department staff to administer scheduled program curriculum and other activities utilized for treatment and rehabilitation.
• Processes new clients, including issuance of clothing, orientation to the rules of facilities, and assists clients with daily activities, events, and informational literature.
• Provides customer service and advocacy on behalf of clients.
• Responsible for the timely and accurate documentation and reporting of case management processes. Maintains case notes and associated documentation.
• Prepares case files for periodic review and quality assurance.
• Performs department program-related duties in residential, community, and jail-based settings.
• Transports clients to appointments and other service locations outside of assigned program.
• Receives guidance and training from Program Supervisors and Coordinators within the division.
• Maintains current knowledge base in social service and community health issues as it relates to case management, homelessness, criminal justice, harm reduction, and substance use through conferences, educational training, and networking with other agencies or groups.
• Handles sensitive and/or confidential records, plans, documents, or decisions that require maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Two (2) years of work experience involving substance abuse, healthcare, law enforcement, emergency management, or corrections.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience may be considered for the above requirements.
• Bilingual (English & Spanish) preferred.

Screening and Compliance

• Successful completion of a post-offer employment medical examination and background investigation.
• Adherence to all County safety guidelines.
• Complete all FEMA training(s) assigned to this position.
• Possession of a valid New Mexico driver’s license by the date of hire and maintenance of a valid license while employed in this position.
• Complete required supervisor training, if applicable.
• Pursuant to the criminal history screening for Caregivers Act, new hires at the MATS facility will be required to complete caregiver criminal history screening. Conviction of a disqualifying condition is cause for termination or sufficient reason not to hire if applicant has a disqualifying condition on their record at time of application.
• Employee may be required to work different shifts and program reassignments.
• May be required to work mandated overtime as needed.
• This job profile is classified as safety-sensitive. Employees with safety-sensitive job profiles are subject to pre-employment, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return-to-duty, and random drug & alcohol testing in accordance with the organization’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy.

Working Conditions

• A majority of essential duties are performed indoors in a temperature-controlled environment.
• Outdoor duties are sometimes required in performance of essential duties and worker is exposed to natural weather conditions while performing outdoor duties.
• Worker may be exposed to intermittent noise and vibration, a variety of fumes and odors, contagious diseases, and potentially hostile and dangerous situations.
• Indoor work surface is even, dry, carpeted, or tiled floor. Indoor surfaces are typically dry and may involve the use of stairs.
• Outdoor surface may be even or uneven and may be wet or dry. Outdoor duties may involve the use of stairs or ladders and may be performed on inclines or hills. Outdoor surfaces may include natural ground, asphalt, or concrete.
• Work hazards or potential work hazards include those of a treatment facility environment with exposure to noise and dangerous situations that could involve serious bodily injury and other health hazards.
• Work hazards include high stress level of work and operating of a vehicle.

Equipment, Tools, and Materials

• Equipment typically used in the performance of duties includes telephone, two-way radio, computer, printer, and copy machine.
• Worker may handle first aid and AED equipment on an occasional basis.
• Materials and products typically handled in the performance of administrative duties include a wide variety of forms and paperwork, reports, various writing utensils, and a wide assortment of other basic office supplies and materials.

Benefits

Employees of Bernalillo County enjoy many thoughtful rewards such as:

• Generous leave accruals.
• Career development opportunities.
• Remote & flex-work options as appropriate.
• Longevity pay.
• Education assistance program.
• Health benefits.
• Lucrative retirement.

Pay

Pay Range: $18.60 - $26.50