Human Services Associate (Specialist Officer I) - non-merit

Salary: $22.99 - $32.38 Hourly
Location : Government Center at Drumcastle, 6401 York Road, Towson, MD
Job Type: NON-MERIT
Job Number: NM.142 06-2023
Department: HHS/COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES
Opening Date: 03/05/2024
Closing Date: Continuous

Regular Schedule: 34 hours per week

Non-Merit vacancies exists in Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Community Based Services, Homeless Services Program.

Non-Merit positions are unclassified, granted funded positions within the Baltimore County Government Classification and Compensation Plan.

This job announcement may close at any time with little or no notice. Applicants are advised to apply promptly. A list of eligible applicants will be established based on the examination as outlined below.

Current and future vacancies occurring in this classification may be filled from the list of eligible applicants.

All interested candidates must apply at this time.


List all promotions and changes in job duties due to reclassification as separate work experience on your application. Applicants must include the dates of the promotions and reclassifications.

Note: Failure to complete all fields of the "Work Experience" section of the application will result in your application not being considered. A resume will not be considered in determining your qualifications for a position. Applicants selected for an interview may provide a resume at that time.

You MUST attach your transcript(s) or license(s) to your application.

Failure to submit proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education will result in your application not being considered. Proof of licenses, certifications, and/or education must be submitted with each application.

Examples of Duties


Under close supervision of the Homeless Prevention Program Supervisor, determines eligibility of clients for various Homeless Services programs, services, and resources in areas such as public or mental health, social services, and aging; and assists other professionals with screening, referral and case management.

Examples of Essential Duties

• Interviews clients, assesses needs to eligibility for services according to established guidelines.
• Explains program policies and procedures to clients.
• Assists clients and others in obtaining needed supportive information as required and contacts other agencies to verify information, community services and resources.
• Assists in referring clients to Homeless prevention programs and financial assistance.
• Initiates procedures to refer, grant, modify, deny or terminate client's participation in program.
• Makes home visits and provides case management services.
• Works with landlords to address rental history, arrearages, and rehousing efforts as needed.
• Maintains detailed records of cases in HMIS.
• Emergency Operations: Participates as needed in the agency's mandated obligation to provide mass case and shelter under the direction of the County or State Emergency Operations Center.
• Performs other related duties.

Example of Other duties :

• Works with professionals in program to assist with Agency campaigns and programs.
• Assists with data collection, entry, management, and analysis.
• Transports clients.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Entry Level):
Basic Knowledge of interviewing techniques.
Ability to obtain information from clients and to compile information into case records. Ability to communicate orally. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. Ability to understand Federal, State, and local regulations, program policies and procedures, to apply them to specific situations, and to compute the amounts of grants to clients. Ability to maintain detailed and accurate records and to prepare summary reports. Ability to use a computer to enter, update, or retrieve information.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Full Performance):
Knowledge of Federal, State, and local regulations, policies and procedures relating to assigned programs. Knowledge of community services and resources and other agency programs for referral. Knowledge of County and departmental rules, regulations, policies and procedures relating to the performance of duties.
Skill in obtaining information from clients and applying program requirements to determine eligibility. Skill in maintaining accurate records and preparing summary reports.
Ability to assist human services professionals with case management. Ability to perform basic assessment of client needs for referral purposes. Ability to recognize clients in crisis and take appropriate action. Ability to maintain client confidentiality.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate in Arts degree in a social or behavioral science.


(Experience in individual, group, or family counseling or intake and referral work may be substitutes on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of two years for the required education.)
Licenses and Certificates
Some positions within this classification may require possession of a valid driver's license equivalent to a non-commercial, class C Maryland driver's license at the time of appointment.

Proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education
Applicants are required to submit proof of licenses, certifications and education beyond high school to meet the required and preferred qualifications of the position. Diplomas or transcripts must show the applicant's major field of study. Copies and unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

Failure to submit proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education will result in your application not being considered. Proof of licenses, certifications, and/or education must be submitted with each application.

Proof of Degree Equivalency
Applicants who have obtained a degree from outside the United States of America are required to submit degree equivalence documentation from World Education Services, Inc. ()

Mail or deliver documents to:
ATTN: Human Services Associate - Non-Merit
Office of Human Resources
Baltimore County Government
308 Allegheny Ave.
Towson, MD 21204

You MUST attach your transcript(s) or license(s) to your application.
EXAMINATION PROCEDURE
Applicants will be qualified based on an evaluation of their training and experience, as stated on their application, which includes answers to the supplemental questions. Applicants must state the dates and duties of past and present experience clearly and completely for evaluation purposes.

Conditions of Employment


Employees hired after July 1, 2022 are required to participate in the Baltimore County Employees' Retirement System, with very little exceptions.

Physical and Environmental Conditions
This is a non-merit, unclassified, grant-funded position. This position is essentially sedentary with occasional walking, lifting, or other limited physical activities. Position may require traveling between work sites.

Medical Examination and Employment Background Investigation
Applicants selected for employment with Baltimore County must successfully complete a physical examination, drug screening and employment investigation, including, but not limited to criminal background, education certification and fingerprinting checks.
Employment Benefits for Non-Merit or Non-Classified, Part-Time Employees

Baltimore County General Government offers the following benefits to part-time, non-merit or non-classified employees. New employees are eligible for benefits upon hire, unless noted otherwise.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Baltimore County is an equal opportunity employer and encourages minority, female and disabled applicants.

Smoke free workplace
All Baltimore County offices are smoke free.

Drug free workplace
Baltimore County provides a drug free workplace. Prospective employees are required to submit to urinalysis drug testing as part of the pre-employment physical examination.

Employee Assistance Program
Our Employee Assistance Program provides confidential and professional assessment and referral assistance for employees and eligible dependents in the household who are experiencing personal problems that may be affecting work performance, job satisfaction, or overall quality of life.

Health Insurance
In order to qualify for health insurance benefits (medical, prescription, dental and vision insurance), part-time employees must be scheduled for four (4) full work days plus two (2) hours each week.

Health Insurance benefits elected become effective the first day of the month following the date of hire if the employee has completed online enrollment prior to that date. New employees must enroll within thirty (30) calendar days of hire. Plans offered include:

Medical, Prescription, Dental and Vision insurance.

Flexible Spending Accounts
Opportunity to set aside pre-tax dollars, through payroll deduction, for eligible unreimbursed medical care expenses and/or dependent care costs.

Life Insurance
In order to qualify for life insurance benefits, part-time employees must be scheduled for four (4) full work days plus two (2) hours each week.


Employees may elect basic term life insurance for themselves equal to one time the employee's annual salary, rounded to the next higher $1,000. Employees contribute a portion of the premium through monthly payroll deductions. The County also offers an Additional/Employee paid Life Insurance plan with coverage up to $100,000.

Retirement
Employees are required to participate in the Baltimore County Employees' Retirement System, with very limited exceptions.

Paid Leave
Sick Leave - Monthly sick leave earnings prorated based on the number of hours worked per week. No maximum on accrual. Accrued balance can be applied toward service credit at retirement.

Vacation Leave - Monthly vacation leave earnings prorated based on the number of hours worked per week. Earnings increase after five, ten and fifteen years of service generally.

Holidays - Part-time 30 to 39 hour non-merit or non-classified employees will generally be paid for ten holidays per calendar year. Other part-time, non-merit or non-classified employees working 29 hours per week or less will receive two paid holidays per calendar year. These holidays are the Christmas holiday and the Independence Day holiday.

Bereavement Leave
Jury Leave
Military Leave

Baltimore County Employees Federal Credit Union
Membership in Baltimore County Employees Federal Credit Union offers a full range of savings programs, loans, checking, direct deposit, payroll deduction, savings bonds, and other financial services.

Direct Deposit
Payroll through direct deposit to the financial institution selected by employee is required.

Deferred Compensation
Nationwide Retirement Solutions offers a 457 retirement plan allowing for payroll contributions of tax deferred dollars to investment options of your choice.
Disclaimer

This is only a summary of benefits and policies in Baltimore County. Any benefit or policy may be changed at any time at the discretion of the administration. This summary does not constitute an express or implied contract, nor does it constitute a guarantee that your employment relationship will continue for any specified period of time or end only under certain conditions.
01


The purpose of the supplemental questions listed below is to further evaluate your experience and education to determine your eligibility for this job classification. Answer each question accurately and thoroughly. The experience you indicate in your responses to the supplemental questions must also be described, in detail, on the Work History section of this application. If you cite experience in your response that is not included on the Work History section of this application, your application may be considered incomplete and you may not receive further consideration for this position. Questions with text answers require you to include the name of the employer/organization and dates of the specific experience.

• I have read and acknowledge the above instructions.

02


Failure to complete all fields of the "Work Experience" section of the application will result in your application not being considered. A resume will not be considered in determining your qualifications for this position. Applicants selected for an interview may provide a resume at that time.

• I have read and acknowledge the above statement.

03


Are you currently a merit (full-time), non-merit (part-time), or temporary employee of the Baltimore County General Government?Employees of Baltimore County Public Schools, Baltimore County Public Library, Baltimore County's court systems or Baltimore County Community College and employees of temporary services used by the County are not considered employees of the Baltimore County General Government.

• Yes
• No

04


Select the type of driver's license you currently hold. Be sure you have provided your driver's license number, class and state in the previous section of this application.

• Commercial Driver's License equivalent to commercial, Class A Maryland Driver's License.
• Commercial Driver's License equivalent to commercial, Class B Maryland Driver's License.
• Commercial Driver's License equivalent to a Commercial Class C Maryland Driver's License with a Passenger Endorsement.
• Non-Commercial Driver's License equivalent to a non-commercial, Class C Maryland Driver's License.
• Provisional Non-Commercial Driver's License equivalent to a Provisional Non-Commercial, Class C Maryland Driver's License.
• Driver's License Learners Permit
• I do not have a driver's license.

05


The position you are applying for requires proof of education and/or licenses beyond high school in order to qualify. You must submit this proof as instructed on the job posting. If you do not submit the transcript(s) or license(s) by the closing date, your application will not be considered further.

• I have read and acknowledge the above instructions.

06


Select the option that best describes your level of education and/or experience.

• Master's degree in a social or behavioral science.
• Bachelor's degree in a social or behavioral science.
• Associate's degree or 60 college credits in a social or behavioral science.
• High school or an appropriate equivalent, plus two years of experience in individual, group, or family counseling or intake and referral work.
• Not Applicable. I do not have any of the combinations of education and/or experience as described above.

07


Provide specific example(s) of the experience you cited in the previous question. Include the employer(s) and date(s) you performed these duties. Be certain that this experience is also described, in detail, on the Work History/Experience section of this application. Note: This experience MUST be included in the Work History/Experience section of this application in order to receive credit.If you chose "Not Applicable" in the previous question, respond by entering N/A to this question.
08


Do you have experience in individual, group, or family counseling or intake and referral work?

• Yes
• No

09


Provide specific example(s) of the experience you cited in the previous question. Include the employer(s) and date(s) you performed these duties. Be certain that this experience is also described, in detail, on the Work History/Experience section of this application.If you chose "No" in the previous question, respond by entering "N/A" to this question.
10


The work of this classification is essentially sedentary with occasional walking, lifting, or other restricted physical activities. Are you willing and able to accept these conditions of employment?

• Yes
• No

11


Are you willing to work in a position that requires travel between work sites using your personal transportation? A mileage allowance, set by Baltimore County Policy, shall be paid to County employees who use their privately-owned vehicles for official County travel necessary to carry out the required or authorized duties of their positions.

• Yes, I am willing to work in a position that requires travel between work sites using your personal transportation.
• No, I am not willing to accept these conditions of employment and therefore I understand I will not be considered for this position with Baltimore County Government.

12


Positions in this classification handle very sensitive and confidential information. Mishandling and/or communication of this sensitive and confidential information will result in termination of employment. I understand the above statement and agree with the resulting consequences of my actions in regards to the mishandling of sensitive and confidential information.

• Yes
• No

13


Applicants selected for an appointment to a position in Baltimore County must successfully complete a physical examination and drug screen and an employment background investigation, including, but not limited to a criminal background, education, and fingerprint check.Are you willing and able to accept these conditions of employment.

• Yes
• No

14


I understand I am responsible for maintaining the accuracy of my contact information, including my street address, my e-mail address, and my contact telephone numbers. My failure to maintain accurate contact information may result in my not receiving information regarding this job announcement and/or may result in my not being further considered for this employment opportunity. To update this information visit click on the "career seekers" link, and follow the prompts.

• I have read and acknowledge the above instructions.

Required Question