Federation Housing is hiring: Social Worker / Service Coordinator - Philadelphia

Job description

POSITION OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVES:
Service Coordinators work in collaboration with Property Managers to provide the necessary combination of services and supports to assist frail, elderly residents to remain independent, in their own residence in the community and avoid unnecessary institutionalization. This is accomplished by providing a variety of service coordination supports including advocacy and assistance to access and coordinate referrals to community based services and a variety of entitlement programs and facilitate successful utilization. Together with Property Managers, they assist residents to maintain their quality of life while maintaining stable occupancy standards necessary to uphold their lease and remain independent in the community.

Bilingual applicant fluent in Russian language would be helpful in this position.

QUALIFICATIONS:
A Bachelors of Social Work (BSW) or related Human Service degree and knowledge of community human service resources is preferred. Entry-level position. Applicants must relate well to older adults and families and possess the ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Strong advocacy and problem solving skills, as well as the ability to organize and manage multiple priorities are essential. Individuals without college degrees who can document other relevant and appropriate training and successful experience in working with older adults, their families and community resources, may be considered for employment.

JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITES:

• Meet with tenant applications to assess their need and eligibility for supportive services.
• Conduct appropriate outreach to identity residents with service needs.
• Evaluate resident needs annually, at minimum, for supportive services on a case by case basis and make appropriate referrals, if needed and eligibility, to community based agencies.
• Monitor ongoing services provided by community based agencies.
• Report to the Social Services Manager and collaborate in partnership with the Property Manager to assist residents and coordinate service delivery as directed.
• Maintain professional standards and confidentiality practices with regard to sharing protected resident information both verbal and written.
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with all local community agencies, service providers, housekeeping/homemaker services, mental health and medical organizations and independent professionals and other organizations assisting residents.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date and properly stored, confidential records, and reports regarding services provided to residents.
• When necessary, may provide preliminary investigation of incidents and well documented violation reports that comply with policies and procedures and confidential records requirements.
• Maintain spreadsheet and statistical records regarding variable characteristics of at risk residents as directed.
• With prior approval of the Social Services Manager and Property Manager, provides on-site communication with residents at general meetings, through newsletters, bulletin boards, flyers, and events posters.
• Assist residents in developing and maintaining informal supports networks with others.
• Provides guidance and support to elected officials of the Resident Association with regard to their roles, functions and Association objectives.
• Performs other related professional duties as required to assist the agency and the residents served as determined and directed by the Social Services Manager.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time.
• Walking and standing are required occasionally.
• Must be able to express or exchange and hear ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Must have ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects exerting up to 10 pounds of force.
• Must have visual ability for reading, preparing data, documents and figures and for viewing a computer terminal.

Federation Housing is an equal opportunity employer.