Community Resource Specialist

Job Code: XXXX
Job Title: Community Resource Specialist
Salary Grade: 18
Department: Community Resource Center

Characteristics of the Position

General Overview

The Community Resource Specialist, under the direction of the Clinical Program Manager, will serve as a specialist for Cook County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), Community Resource Center (CRC). The Community Resource Specialist works with a multidisciplinary team of professionals to engage participants in services and assist them with care coordination. They will provide individual and group interventions, case management, and supportive services to clients of the Community Resource Center. They will administer assessment measures, develop, and review treatment and care plans, and coordinate community linkages for participants. They will work with community agencies to coordinate service delivery for community corrections, reentry initiatives, and community members. They will provide services to persons returning to the community from the Cook County Department of Corrections (CCDOC), those residing in the community under CCSO supervision, survivors of domestic violence, and persons at risk of eviction.

The Community Resource Specialist is entrusted to collaborate with interdepartmental team members, community organizations, and outside services on behalf of the affected Cook County residents. The Community Resource Specialist will provide financial, medical, and behavioral health assessments of residents facing eviction, along with identification of psychosocial needs in compliance with State and Federal Regulations.

The incumbent must be able to act in a professional manner, with tact and confidence, while working in close personal contact with residents, family members and public.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Assess participants for determination of clinical, socio-emotional and reentry service needs; focuses on diagnostic and functional evaluations and makes recommendations on treatment goals and plans; collects information through interviews and observations.

Assist in developing, planning, and implementing social services policies and procedures designed to provide Cook County residents and community groups facing eviction, mental health, substance abuse, homelessness, cooccurring disorders, domestic violence, or other concerns with education, counseling, crisis intervention and available resources to ensure safety and well-being.

Provide both general and specialized professional casework services and counseling to community groups and residents affected by eviction, mental health, substance abuse, homelessness, cooccurring disorders, domestic violence, or other concerns. Provide direct services via telephone and home visits to residents facing eviction or being a resource for the eviction team/defendant, at the eviction to assist with counseling, assessment, referral, and other social service duties.

Establish a supportive, motivational, and therapeutic relationship with participants; plans, organizes and leads structured interventions; works to effect behavioral changes and helps individuals make healthier life choices.

Provide focused intervention of participants; provides consultation and training to CRC staff to enhance their skill in providing effective management of impacted participants.

Develop relapse prevention plans and helps participants maintain stability.

Gather information about participant’s needs and provides resources; collaborates with other service organizations or entities, within and outside the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

Complete and maintain service-related paperwork, in accordance with state and federal requirements; writes reports, treatment plans and recommendations, progress reports and other reports, as required.

Evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment/care plan in correlation to the participant’s progress in resolving identified problems and meeting identified goals.

Collaborate with community organizations, advocacy groups, governmental agencies, or entities within and outside of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

Guide clients in the development of skills to assist in dealing with their problems.

Refer clients to Community Resources, as necessary.

Prepare written case management reports and assessments and recommend policy changes based on the reports and assessments as needed.

Respond to referrals from community organizations and residents.

Act on the resident’s behalf to relay needs and information to family; consult with family as needed.

Work on special projects in addition to assigned responsibilities as requested by the executive office.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Proficiency in evidence-based practices, assessment, treatment, and care planning and the ability to incorporate these practices in service delivery to persons facing eviction, mental health, substance abuse, homelessness, cooccurring disorders, or domestic violence.

Possess a nonjudgmental approach to working with the justice involved individuals and their families, persons facing evictions, and survivors of domestic violence.

Possess a thorough working knowledge of or the ability to grasp and utilize the policies, protocols, systems, procedures and technical vernacular of the department, agency, and County, as applicable to assigned duties and responsibilities quickly and effectively.

Knowledge of substance abuse withdrawal symptoms, treatment, and referral sources, and a history of working with

substance abusing population.

Knowledge of human behavior and the behavioral sciences, including human growth and development, dynamics of interpersonal relationships, and family dynamics.

Knowledge of clinical interviewing techniques and methods for obtaining and communicating information.

Thorough knowledge of case management policies, principles, and practices and their applicability to the citizens of Cook County as it relates to the eviction process.

Knowledge of Domestic Violence, Orders of Protection, and domestic related issues.

Ability to meet prescribed deadlines.

Attention to detail and diligent maintenance of documentation and record keeping.

Ability to communicate effectively (orally and written) with participants, families, partner agencies, and CCSO staff in a professional and compassionate manner.

Ability to work effectively on a multidisciplinary team and individually.

Maintain competencies, related to the forensic population, cultural diversity, clinical practices, communication skills, personal development, and ethics by reading professional literature and attending workshops or seminars.

Respect for cultural diversity; and the ability to work respectfully with persons of different genders, ages, races/ethnicities, sexual orientations, sexual identities, disabilities, and SES.

Respect for specific workplace cultural diversity concerns and appropriate conduct.

Ability to work remotely, if needed, in a quiet and private space to protect participant

MinimumQualifications

Possession of a master’s or higher degree, from an accredited college or university, in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Social Sciences, Criminal Justice and Criminology, or a closely related field.

Two (2) years of full-time paid experience in behavioral health services and/or social services.

Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Ability to work in a professional office environment, within a jail/prison, and in the community.

Ability to work any shift assigned, including days, afternoons, or midnights; must be capable of working holidays and weekends; must be capable of working mandatory overtime, as required.

Preferred Qualifications

Possession of professional certification(s) in applicable areas such as Addiction, Domestic Violence, Aging, Family, Military, and/or Case Management

Possession of or working towards active state licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and/or a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC).

Experience working in additional service settings/with other populations (e.g., housing/ homelessness, substance use treatment, behavioral health settings, community corrections, domestic violence).

40-hour domestic violence (DV) training.

Substance Abuse Counselor Certification

CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor through IODAPCA) certified.

A minimum of one year experience working in the Domestic Relations field with a working knowledge of Orders of Protection and Domestic Violence Services.

A minimum of one year experience working in a youth related service area.

A minimum of one year experience implementing a case management system and a network of resources.

A minimum of one year experience working in either a hospital or rehabilitative/nursing home where contact was made regularly with individuals co-occurring disorders.

Possession of bilingual language skills.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.

Please note that there are no remote job opportunities, all positions are located onsite.

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office prohibits all unlawful discrimination in its hiring and promotional process.

All Cook County Sheriff’s Office employees must apply on the internal employment page to be considered; the application may be accessed via the SheriffNet site.

*Note: All Internal Applicants are subject to Cook County Promotional salary rules if selected.

**Article EE, Civilian Recruitment and Selection Process, of the Sheriff’s Employment Action Manual, applies to this employment process and can be found at the following link: https://www.cookcountysheriff.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/SEAM-Article-EE-Civilian-Recruitment-and-Selection-Process-10-17-19.pdf

I Certify that no Political Reasons or Factors were considered in any decision I made or action I took related to this Employment Action. Further, I do not know of or have any reason to believe that anyone else considered or took action based on Political Reasons or Factors with respect to this Employment Action.

EEO Statement

At the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, we value and embrace you. It’s our belief that diversity and inclusion is an essential component to our success as an international business. Accordingly, we are committed to provide a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office policy applies throughout the employment relationship—including recruitment, hiring, training, advancement, separation, and day-to-day practices. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office employment decisions will not be based on race, color and ancestry, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, family or parental status, disability, medical history, genetic information, or any basis prohibited by applicable law. Employment decisions will be based on an applicant’s merit and qualifications, the position requirements, and our business needs.

Benefits

• Health Insurance Program – Health insurance coverage includes medical, dental and vision care and is available for an employee and his/her eligible dependents

• Holidays – Thirteen (13) Holidays are granted in each Fiscal Year

• Sick Leave – Granted sick leave is earned and accrued at the rate of one (1) day for each month of service and may be accumulated up to one hundred and seventy-five (175) working days

• Vacation Leave – Granted Vacation leave is earned and accrued, with employees having the opportunity to accrue fifteen (15) days within the Fiscal Year; Vacation leave accruals increase based on an employee’s anniversary date of employment

• Life Insurance – Basic term life insurance, equal to one (1) times the employees annual salary, is offered to every employee at no cost and the employee may elect to purchase supplemental coverage

• Pension Plan – Employees contribute into the Cook County Pension Fund and earn a prescribed percentage for each year of service; employees may be eligible for an annual annuity after ten (10) years of service and upon reaching a certain age based on when the employee started employment

• Deferred Compensation Program – Employees may elect to enroll in a deferred compensation plan, a tax deferred plan which may be used as a supplemental retirement option.

Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace

It is the policy of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office to provide a drug- and alcohol-free workplace for all members.
It is imperative that all Sheriff’s Office members are capable of devoting constant and uninterrupted attention to the performance of all assigned duties without risk to safety and security for themselves, other members, or the public. To ensure the goals of this policy are met, all Sheriff’s Office members shall be subject to drug and alcohol testing, whether mandatory, random or based on reasonable suspicion.

INCLUSION

We welcome you—the whole you. Your background, your culture, your ethnicity, your unique experiences, your way of looking at the world. We truly believe that your individuality helps us create a diverse, inclusive and inspired workplace in which every ethnicity, nationality, religion, elder status, family structure and gender identity is embraced and valued. We also welcome your passion for making the lives of children, your co-workers, and our organization better. Because as different as we are, that’s the common theme that will always keep us moving forward together. *Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.* This position requires successful completion of post-offer tests, which may include a background check, drug screen and/or medical examination. Falsification of any information in the application process will result in disqualification, dismissal after hire, and/or placement on the Cook County Sheriff’s Office Ineligible for Rehire List for a period of two (2) or five (5) years. For current Cook County Sheriff’s employees, such falsification may result in discipline, up to and including termination, and placement on the County’s Ineligible for Rehire List for a period of two (2) or five (5) years. See Cook County Code of Ordinances, Article II, Sections 44-54 Unlawful Practices Relating to Employees and Employment - Penalty, 44-56 Political Discrimination; Cook County Employment Plan, Section V.N. Pre-Interview License and Certification Verification; Supplemental Policy No. 2014-2.13 Ineligible for Rehire List; and Cook County Personnel Rules 3.3(b) (7) (8) (18).

THE COOK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER NOTE

As an internal candidate, should you be offered the position, salary allocations shall abide by the Cook County Personnel Rules. “The Cook County Sheriff’s Office hiring process is governed by the Sheriff’s Employment Action Manua(SEAM) which prohibits employment actions from being influenced by any Political Reasons or Factors for Non-Exempt Positions. The advertisement of this position by any individual does not constitute an offer or promise of, promotion, or any other employment action and shall not influence the Cook County Sheriff’s Office hiring decision. Cook County Sheriff’s officials and employees who become aware of or receive a complaint that involves an allegation of Political Reasons or Factors being considered in the hiring process of Non-Exempt positions are obligated to refer the complaint to the Cook County Compliance Officer. If the Cook County Compliance Officer sustains allegations of Political Reasons or Factors being considered, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office will disqualify the Applicant or Candidate from consideration for employment and disciplinary action will be imposed on any involved Cook County employees, if applicable.”