Case Manager I

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in human services or behavioral sciences and one year of experience in social or human services; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience.   Applicants within six months of meeting the minimum education/experience requirement; may be considered for trainee status.
A Valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment.   If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and /or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position.  
Must have registered and insured vehicle.

Successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required.
 

Position Summary

This is responsible professional social services coordination and case management work in the Alachua County Department of Community Support Services, Social Services Division.

An employee assigned to this classification interviews, counsels, and investigates clients' background to determine eligibility for community-offered services; works with and coordinates services for individuals who are experiencing housing instability and homelessness that have exhibited behaviors that are detrimental to their wellbeing; and delivers services to individuals with one or several of the following: living with mental illness, developmental delays, emotional trauma, substance use disorder, and/or other disorders.
 
The work is performed under the direction of a higher-level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of the results obtained.

Examples of Duties

This is an emergency essential classification.  Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work.

Exudes a positive customer service focus.

Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with core values including integrity, honesty, respect, diversity, innovation, accountability and communication. 

Analyzes individual crisis situations, helps resolve conflicts, and assists in de-escalation. Explores expressed and unexpressed client needs in order to determine need for referral services. Assists individuals in developing a self-sufficiency and/or stabilization plan (including short and long term goals), which is the foundation to maintaining housing. 

Conducts visits  (home, site,  hospitals, encampments, etc.)  using  various strategies to assess  living conditions/environments, engage, and maintain client to case manager relationship. Builds trust and rapport by maintaining ongoing contact with the individual, family, or other support members. 

Interviews and conducts biopsychosocial assessments (BPSAs) in various domains of life.

Meets with individuals at a minimum of once per month in-person; additional contact will be based on severity of need.

Provides assistance in re-establishing or developing skills, such as life skills (cleaning, budgeting, etc.).Communicates with employers, property owners, pharmacies, physicians, and others as needed to verify information. 

Determines eligibility for financial and other essential services.

Advocates on behalf of clients based on individuals' circumstances.

Records all contacts, requests for assistance, dispositions, and referrals directly into the various case management systems, including extensive detailed data and case notes. Coordinates with next of kin, contracted funeral homes, and City of Gainesville for burial or cremation of indigent persons/unclaimed bodies found in Alachua County. 

Assists with general community inquiries and requests for services (via multiple methods of communication). 
Assists in managing client expectations regarding service delivery; responds to high call volumes and walk-in requests.
 
Drives a County and/or personal vehicle to perform required duties.
 
Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.


NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
 
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Considerable knowledge of current principles and practices of social services and established casework methods/techniques.

Considerable knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations relating to operations of community social service agencies.

Knowledge of the various services provided by community agencies for clients.

Strong interpersonal skills that result in effective relationships with clients, their relatives, and other persons.

High attention to detail abilities, as there is a significant amount of paperwork both paper and electronic to process. 

Ability to work effectively in chaotic, unstable environments. 

Ability to be compassionate as well as firm in various situations.

Ability to demonstrate high-level customer service skills, understanding, and empathy.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, prepare reports, and maintain accurate records.

Ability to establish and maintain a good working relationship with colleagues, support staff, other County employees, community agencies, vendors, and the public.

Ability to efficiently and accurately input data into the computer systems.
 
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, and hear. The employee is consistently required to reach and to be mobile.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Must be able to drive locally and long distance with reasonable short-notice.
 
WORK ENVIRONMENT: 
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is moderately exposed to outdoor weather conditions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future.BoCC-Contributed Benefits

• Medical/Health Insurance  
• Employee Life Insurance  
• Florida Retirement System  
• Employee Assistance Program

Optional Benefits

• Dental Insurance  
• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
• Deferred Retirement Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Roth IRA
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Computer Purchase Program

NOTE: For detailed information regarding available benefits click here.

You may also view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding benefits. 

• FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM (FRS) The Florida Retirement System is a retirement plan designed to provide an income to a vested employee and his/her family when the employee retires, becomes partially or totally disabled, or dies prior to retirement.  A defined benefit or defined contribution option may be chosen by the employee.
• TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Permanent, full-time employees are eligible for educational assistance funds. Contact the Human Resources Office for program details.
• HOLIDAYS Holidays are as follows: 

1. New Years Day  
2. Martin Luther King Day  
3. Memorial Day  
4. Juneteenth
5. Independence Day  
6. Labor Day  
7. Veterans' Day  
8. Thanksgiving Day  
9. Friday following Thanksgiving  
10. Christmas Eve (IAFF*)  
11. Christmas Day  
12. Additional Christmas Holiday (All non-IAFF employees)  
13. 2 Floating Holidays  (All non- IAFF employees)

*IAFF – International Association of FirefightersPay periods are every two weeks, Monday through Sunday. Payday is Friday. International Association of Firefighters follow the General Contract 7k regarding holidays.

Vacation Leave – Generous vacation accrual rates with payout of unused accrued leave, with some restrictions. For more detailed information regarding vacation leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-2.

Sick leave is earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period by all permanent, full-time employees*. At the end of each fiscal year, eligible employees can convert up to 10 days of accrued sick leave to vacation leave on a 2:1 basis. For more detailed information regarding sick leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-3 *Accruals slightly different for IAFF employee.

$48,193.60 Annually