NATURE OF WORK

Under the direction of the Battalion Chief of Health, Safety, and EMS and Lead Social Worker, the Social Worker works as part of an interdisciplinary Community Assistance, Referral, and Education Services (CARES) team to provide services to vulnerable community members with complex medical, behavioral, and/or psychosocial needs. This is accomplished via a referral process that allows VRFA response personnel to connect low-acuity and/or high-utilizers of the 911 system with the CARES team. The Social Worker and internal CARES partners assist vulnerable community members in navigating to, and connecting with, a variety of healthcare, human, and social service providers. This is generally done through in-person and/or phone follow-ups and assessments, as well as collaborations with other internal and external partners. The Social Worker may occasionally participate in active 911 calls and may provide support to the VRFA’s Peer Support Team.

This is a non-represented, non-exempt, full-time position with responsibility for Community Risk Reduction (CRR) activities within the communities served by the Valley Regional Fire Authority and other contracted service areas. The Social Worker contributes to the success of the organization by providing support and assistance to meet the organization’s goals and objectives. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Serves as one of the VRFA’s subject matter experts on social and human services. 
• Works collaboratively with other CARES, CRR, and VRFA personnel, as well as other governmental, private, and non-profit organizations and agencies.
• Develop and maintain productive and professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including VRFA response personnel and other public safety providers. 
• Monitor and find solutions to connect low-acuity and/or high-utilizers of the 911 system with appropriate care and support. 
• Provide care coordination, care management, client advocacy, resource identification, and system navigation for community members in need. 
• Provide leadership and foster morale within the regional CARES/Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) community. 
• Cultivate effective relationships and liaison with adult family homes, assisted living communities, group homes, and skilled nursing facilities. 
• Foster strong working relationships with healthcare providers, as well as local and state human and social service agencies. 
• Participate in the development, enhancement, and delivery of effective and culturally competent non-emergency services for vulnerable, underrepresented, and marginalized populations. 
• Provide feedback and training to VRFA response and administrative personnel related to CARES initiatives and activities. 
• Make in-home visits to meet, interview, and assess community members referred by VRFA personnel. 
• Attend local, regional, and national conferences and meetings as requested for the enhancement of the CARES program. 
• Maintain and protect data, records, and other documentation per VRFA, professional, and legal standards. 
• Participate in collection, analysis, and communication of data related to CARES.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ability to maintain effective working relationships and provide exceptional customer service to internal and external customers including vendors, the public, and clients.

• Proficiency with modern office systems and technology, including laptops, tablets, and mobile phones, and related software, e.g., Microsoft Office.

• Knowledge or ability to gain knowledge with a variety of records management, case management, and healthcare software, including ESO, Julota, and Epic.

• Knowledge of fire department organizational structure, function, and reporting relationships.

• On a regular and continual basis, exercise professional judgement and assume responsibility for decisions, consequences, and results.

• Ability to coordinate the interests of diverse groups and individuals with the community.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information and records in an environment with changing priorities.

• Ability to exercise sound and ethical judgement in decision making process

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Formal education, minimum Masters degree in social work, counseling, or mental health field AND a minimum of three (3) years of experience performing social service assessments, crisis intervention, and care planning to patients in home settings. Strongly prefer currently Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers (LICSW), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or equivalent. REQUIRED LICENSES Possess and retain a valid Washington State driver’s license without impending loss at time of appointment. ADDITIONAL Successfully pass the required background check

Full application packet available:

https://www.vrfa.org/job/social-worker-2/