Director of Human Services at Town of New Shoreham in Block Island, Rhode Island

Job Description:

Town of New Shoreham
Director of Human Services

Supervisor: Town Manager

Full time position based on 40 hours per week and is identified as “Exempt” from overtime compensation per the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).Nonunion position.

Position Summary:

The Director of Human Services will be both coordinator of services and a caseworker. They will work closely with individuals and family members, the Medical Center, community and state agencies. They might help individuals with basic needs; housing and food or help them apply for social services. They might work with individuals who are unable to care for themselves or their families because of mental or physical illness, disability or substance abuse. They will provide insight, support, and expertise on the needs in our community and will enable individuals and families to get the help needed in a timely fashion with organizations/agencies that offer the resources on or off the island.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assess and identify problems then engages with individuals/families to come up with solutions.
• Interfaces with the Medical Center, off island health care providers, agencies and on island resources to come up with a plan or provide needed resources.
• Coordinate access to care services and help individuals to identify and obtain resources.
• Makes contact with outside professionals as required for specialist help.
• Advocate on the individual's behalf with external parties, such as legal services or insurance agencies.
• Assists in the development of a individual care plan to include, actions designed to improve the individual’s health status and removes the barriers that are preventing them from gaining access to high quality and timely primary/specialist care.
• Acts as liaison to off island providers, including long-term care and private health care workers/care takers.
• Attends required training and collaborative sessions as scheduled.
• Acts as the first contact for those needing social service resources.
• Delivers health information using culturally appropriate terms and concepts.
• Identifies informal counseling, support and follow-up.
• Advocates for local needs through meeting with individuals over the phone or in person through community and residence visits.
• Builds trusting relationship and serves as an advocate and mentor with the goal of empowering the individual to become more independent and self-sufficient.
• Performs administrative duties, maintain meticulous records and case files and evaluative reports.
• Monitors Programs and Grants opportunities for all ages and informs Town Manager of said opportunities.
• Applies for and administers said Programs and Grants.
• Prepares annual budget for submittal to the Town Manager.
• Serves as the Town’s Welfare Director.

Skills and abilities:

• Ability to effectively work in a non-judgmental way.
• Maintain strict confidentiality in all matters.
• Ability to recognize appropriate boundaries with clients.
• Ability to communicate with both Spanish and English speakers, or enable such communication.
• Capacity to respond to crisis situations.
• Ability to communicate well- listening, speaking, writing.
• Ability to work with others, coordinating with on island and mainland organizations.
• Capacity to analyze complex situations, problem solving skills.
• Performs similar or related duties as required or as situation dictates.

Position Qualifications:

Associates or Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Community /Public Health or related health
sciences field and three to five years’ experience.

The ability to travel to various locations in the state with reliable transportation is required. Must
possess and retain a valid current state issued driver’s license and have reliable transportation
and proof of current auto insurance required.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and
employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and
requirements of the job change.

The Town offers excellent health, vacation and pension benefits. The salary for the Director of
Human Services will be based upon qualifications and experience.

Position open until filled. The Town may perform a background check. EOE 

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