Community Health Worker (Social Services Specialist) chez King County, WA

About the Department

Public Health – Seattle & King County is seeking a Career-Service Social Services Specialist (Community Health Worker)  to join our innovative social services team at Jail Health Services (JHS) Division. The Community Health Worker (CHW) provides health education, resource navigation and care coordination to individuals who are releasing from one of the King County Correctional Facilities. The Community Health Worker Team serves individuals with diverse backgrounds and needs in a variety of settings, including King County jails, and actively supports individuals in accessing health care, behavioral health treatment, benefits, transportation assistance and more. 

Public Health values and actively seeks applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds, including people with lived experience of substance use, incarceration, houselessness, people of color, and members of the LGBTQIA+ communities. If you are passionate about supporting diverse populations and improving health outcomes, this role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals and the health of our community. 

ABOUT JAIL HEALTH SERVICES

JHS provides needed health and social services to the incarcerated population located in the King County jails – King County Correctional Facility (KCCF) in Seattle, WA and Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC) in Kent, WA. The primary services we provide include medical, dental, mental health, social and release planning services, treatment of substance use disorders, and pharmaceutical services. We care about the patients we serve and their health outcomes. Our division includes over 250 employees and an annual budget of over $60 million.

The purpose of JHS is to assure that high-quality health and human services are available to the incarcerated population in the King County adult correctional facilities: the King County Correctional Facility (KCCF) in Seattle and the Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC) in Kent. The JHS vision is Opening doors to healthier, happier lives, and the mission is to assess and stabilize serious health problems for the detained population of the King County Correctional Facility and the Maleng Regional Justice Center with a focus on transition from jail.  

Staffed 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year, JHS provides a broad range of health care to all individuals booked into the jails. For patients with serious mental health or medical conditions, special housing units (psychiatric and infirmary) along with a higher level of services and medical monitoring are provided. Since the patient population varies both in numbers as well as in acuity of health conditions, staffing is adapted and flexed to meet the constantly changing needs of the population.

JHS staff manage the complex health needs of underserved populations, many of whom come to the facility without access to care in the community and with decompensated acute and chronic health conditions.

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice:

Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.

We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.

To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx

Position Duties

• Active engagement with people who use drugs and individuals who are living with, or at risk for, HIV/hepatitis C and other chronic health conditions using a collaborative, person-centered approach grounded in harm reduction and trauma-informed practice.
• Use brief assessment, active listening, and crisis response skills to help meet immediate, basic needs and make appropriate referrals to health and supportive services. 
• Coach clients in how to access community resources and facilitate linkages to care. Schedule day of release appointments with community-based services including healthcare, mental health services, SUD treatment and providers that prescribe medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) for patients releasing from jail. 
• Provide and coordinate transportation to community appointments. 
• Distribute harm reduction supplies and provide accurate health and safety information using established messages on safer drug use and overdose safety planning. 
• Adapt resource information based on clients’ priorities, cultural beliefs, and value systems using accessible language to convey pertinent, complex information. 
• Work in collaboration with partner agencies to provide a continuum of services within King County and surrounding areas. 
• Maintain information on community resources. 
• Assist patients with applying for or reactivating Medicaid insurance when eligible. 
• Act as patient advocate and liaison to clinical staff.
• Maintain accurate and up to date case records, documenting interventions, progress and outcomes to support effective case management in an electronic health record. 
• Participate in program meetings, presentations, and continuing education on substance use disorders, mental health conditions, and other related topics with program manager and clinical staff. 
• Communicate clearly and effectively with clients and coworkers, verbally and in writing.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Required:

• One (1) year of recent experience working with vulnerable community members or providing direct client services in a health or human service agency. 
• Demonstrated skills, experience and knowledge of the principles and practices of harm reduction when working with vulnerable populations. 
• Demonstrated ability to establish rapport, provide support and advocate for a diverse range of clientele including individuals who are unhoused, actively using substances and living with significant health challenges. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of race equity, justice, health promotion and public health approaches and models of social support and healthcare. 
• Experience using de-escalation skills to address high stress and high conflict situations. 
• Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with all people, regardless of background or current circumstances. 
• Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries and supportive working relationships with patients.
• Ability to refer patients to community services related to their health and safety needs.
• Familiarity with Microsoft programs such as Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word and the ability to use drop down menus, point and click software, and multiple screens.
• Ability to summarize and document information from client interactions according to program requirements using an electronic medical record.
• Ability to engage professionally with community partners when doing client care coordination and patient advocacy. 
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and organize work while meeting deadlines; flexibility and ability to adapt to changing work environment. 
• Comfort working in a variety of community settings and conducting outreach efforts on behalf of clients. 
• Must possess valid and unrestricted Washington Driver’s License to drive a county vehicle. 
• Ability to travel within King County region on a flexible schedule as needed. 
• Ability to pass background check.
• BLS/CPR certification.
• Washington State Department of Health Community Health Worker certification OR ability to obtain within 12 months of hire date.

Desired:

• Formal education in health or social services program or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Extensive background in related social service organizations. 
• Knowledge of social and health systems and resources in Washington and King County. 
• Advanced knowledge and experience in areas such as substance use, harm reduction, sexual health, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, mental health, legal systems.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate within a multidisciplinary team. 

Other Qualifications

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

• NEOGOV Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Cover Letter Addressing your prior relevant work experience and your interest in working with Public Health - Jail Health Services. 
• Resume

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

Necessary Special Requirements

• The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
• The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of Basic Life Support (BLS) / CPR 
• The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment.
• Pre-employment Physical
• For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring. For tips on interviewing, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/audience/employees/learning-and-development/Interview_Tips.ashx?la=en. 
• Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
• Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
• Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
• When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department. 
• If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.

 Public Health - Jail Health Services follows and maintains federal and state requirements standards including, but not limited to, Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) standards which apply to all public and private institutions that house adult or juvenile offenders. PREA standards preclude the department from hiring or promoting anyone who has engaged in, or been convicted of any conduct which would violate PREA standards related to sexual assault including:

• Sexual abuse in a prison, jail, lockup, community confinement facility, juvenile facility, or other institution.
• Convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse; or,
• Has been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in the activity described above.

Additionally, PREA standards require that the department consider any incidents of sexual harassment involving an inmate or detainee in determining whether or not to hire or promote anyone.
  
The above is in compliance with PREA and its implementing regulations, 28 C.F.R. Part 115, Subpart A, Section 115.17, Hiring and Promotion Decisions.

Work Schedule

This position is 40-hour work week including weekend and evening shifts. Community Health Worker operating hours will be from 7am-7pm Monday through Saturday.
This position is subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime eligible.

Work Location

This position is located at King County Correctional Facility, 500 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104 and Maleng Regional Justice Center, 620 W James St., Kent, WA 98032. 

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. 

Union Membership

This position is represented by PROTEC 17.

Contact

For questions about this recruitment, please contact Sarah Dunkinson ([email protected]). 

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