Family & Community Support Technician

(Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Assess client needs based on indicators in the client’s home such as family relationships, housing conditions, nutrition and health conditions, and finances; provide guidance and/or referrals to public, private, health, and legal agencies for specialized assistance appropriate to their needs, including but not limited to, emergency food, housing, medical services, clothing, legal assistance, employment, and vocational training, education, budgeting, goal setting, and recreation.
• Serve as a liaison with law enforcement, school officials, social service agencies, and the general public regarding difficult and/or complex situations related to mental health and social services.
• Meet and interview clients regularly in their homes, in the field, in the office and by telephone to determine the need for social services.
• Work in conjunction with multi-disciplinary team in identifying and presenting options to clients.
• Perform field work to proactively serve the homeless, mentally ill adults, youth and elderly; and families.
• Maintain confidential records; prepare periodic reports.
• Attend meetings and participates in school activities, community based projects, and events as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Refer cases of neglect, abuse, or suspected fraud to the appropriate agency; assist police personnel by providing intervention techniques during service calls; testify in court as required.

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Four years of experience performing work related to social services, community services, counseling, job training and employment programs, youth programs, child development, and/or gang prevention.

• Must obtain CPR and First Aid certificates within first 12 months of employment.
• Must possess a valid California Drivers’ License by time of appointment.
• Possession of a valid professional mental health therapy license issued by the State of California, preferably as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Associate Social Worker License (ASW), Intern Marriage Family Therapist (IMFT) or Clinical Psychologist is highly desirable.

• Principles and practices of clinical social work, especially as related to family system counseling and victim advocacy.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• Support group facilitation practices, availability of community social services resources, and community oriented policing and intervention programs.
• Methods of sound case management and tracking.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Pertinent local, State and Federal laws, ordinances and rules.
• Modern office procedures, methods and personal computer use. Computer applications related to the work, including data entry, data tracking, word processing, and basic spreadsheet applications.

• The ability to speak, read and write Spanish in addition to English would be an asset in this position, but is not required.
• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines in politically sensitive situations.
• Work independently using initiative.
• Interpret and explain pertinent youth and family service program activities and department policies and procedures.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and software programs.

Physical Demands

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to visit various City sites, including traversing uneven terrain and climbing stairs; to attend meetings and to operate a motor vehicle; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen, and write citations; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is partially a sedentary office and partially a field operations classification; frequent standing and walking between work areas is required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 40 pounds.

Environmental Elements

Employees work partially in an office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions, and partially in the field and are occasionally exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibrations, and hazardous materials. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or members of the public in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION:

• Retirement based on single highest year
• Employee Contribution Rate: 7% (Pre-Tax)
• Plan: 2% @ 55

• Plan: 2% @ 62
• Employee Contribution: 6.25% (may be adjusted annually - required to be 50% of Normal Cost as determined by CalPERS)