Family services advocate

Full job description

GREAT

BENEFITS!

Health Plan

Pension Plan

Health, Education, & Wellness Center

Dental Plan

Vision Plan

Deferred Comp

Spending Accounts

Life Insurance

Longevity Payments

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program

Paid Leave

Paid Holidays

Sick Leave Bank

Paid 30 min Break

Vacation Sell

Flex Schedules

Training Opportunities

CIVIL SERVICE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Civil Service Department, Suite 569, City County Bldg, 400 Main Street, Knoxville, TN 37902 .

9069

Family Services Advocate

5/14/24

(This is a Non-Civil Service Grant Funded Position)

ENTRY-LEVEL SALARY: $ 38,788 annually

PAY GRADE RANGE: $ 38,788 - $ 62,061 annually (Pay Grade 307 )

The City of Knoxville requires as a condition of employment that all newly employed individuals, former employees that have been re-hired, or employees promoted to a new classification will receive their paychecks by way of automatic direct deposit.

Starting and promotional salaries will be determined based upon applicant qualifications and in accordance with Civil Service Merit Board Rules and Regulations.

The City of Knoxville only accepts online applications. . You must complete ALL APPLICABLE SECTIONS of the application. DO NOT LEAVE SECTIONS BLANK SIMPLY BECAUSE THAT INFORMATION APPEARS ON YOUR RESUME. Doing so could result in your application being deemed incomplete. If you need assistance submitting an application, you may visit the Civil Service office at the address listed above.

The following documents MUST be submitted online by 4:30 p.m. on: Friday, May 24, 2024.

• Completed City of Knoxville Online Application
• Detailed Resume (upload and attach to your online application)
• If you have questions regarding your application or need help applying, please email before the posting deadline.

JOB DESCRIPTION: Please See Attached Position Description

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Graduation from high school or GED equivalent, PLUS any combination of training, experience, or education which would provide the applicant with the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The hiring authority may give preference to applicants who possess additional experience, education, and/or professional certification in the social services or human services fields.

Note: Background checks will be conducted.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER/DRUG FREE WORKPLACE

The City of Knoxville does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, religion, age, veteran status, disability, gender identity, genetic information, or sexual orientation in employment opportunities.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under immediate to general supervision, serves as an advocate for families of fatal overdoses and drug related deaths. This position will make follow up contact with the families following a suspect drug related death to provide information on the investigative process, the medical examiner's role and process, refer them to counseling or grief services, and be a point of contact throughout the process.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Intervention activities - Provides intervention services to individuals impacted by overdoses; contacts next of kin in overdose deaths to provide services and follow up assistance; receives follow up calls from next of kin and families of cases with questions; follows up via phone with survivors of non-fatal overdoses; documents information received by families concerning overdose death cases; mails out pamphlets and information on resources and the OD Support Group; provides resources and treatment information for non-fatal overdoses.

Interagency coordination/communication - Communicates as appropriate with external agencies as necessary to obtain and/or provide information or assistance regarding overdose death cases or issues; receives information and requests from investigators; emails investigators with leads and follow up information provided by families; coordinates with Victim/Witness coordinator at the District Attorney’s Office; establishes and maintains contacts with community partners (M.E., MDC, KCHD); attends community events related to drugs and overdoses (i.e. OD Awareness Month); attends and speaks at meetings and groups to educate and provide awareness; and attends and assists with facilitating the monthly OD Support Group Meetings.

Prepares written documents - Prepares a variety of written correspondence such as letters, memos, etc.; prepares and maintains periodic reports, files, and other documentation, and disseminates information as necessary to concerned parties; reviews work for accuracy and completeness.

Computer usage - Accesses automated databases, spreadsheet programs, etc. in order to enter, manipulate, and retrieve information; prepares printouts/reports in response to specific requests from supervisor, operational personnel, etc.; monitors and posts updates on social media related to events and education.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of advocacy strategies and techniques - Knowledge of intervention strategies and techniques used in trauma, grief, or emergency situations; knowledge of the theoretical constructs of human psychological and emotional development as applied to intervention.

Written communication skills - Written communication skills sufficient to express a variety of ideas and information in a clear, concise, and effective manner, including the proper use of grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence and paragraph structure, etc.; ability to use appropriate format, structure, style, and language appropriate to the intended audience.

Reading comprehension skills - Ability to read, interpret and apply a broad range of complex written materials including reports, research papers, informational articles, publications, graphs, charts, etc.; ability to compare narrative information such as that presented in applications, reports, records, contracts, etc. with established criteria, formats, policies, or other requirements.

Interpersonal skills - Interpersonal skill sufficient to effectively facilitate cooperation and interest, disseminate information, provide assistance, and to otherwise establish and maintain effective professional working relationships with coworkers and superiors, community/social service agencies, the public, etc.; oral communication skills sufficient to effectively present ideas and information to a variety of individuals in ordinary conversation, public forums, group presentations, and other similar settings.

Administrative ability - Ability to establish and achieve work-related goals and objectives; ability to plan and coordinate work to accomplish established objectives in a timely, efficient manner; knowledge of the principles and practices used to organize, analyze and interpret information for the purposes of making decisions, ability to exercise good judgment in evaluating information and formulating appropriate strategies, recommendations, or justifications; knowledge of the methods and techniques used in conducting research, gathering data, and/or otherwise assembling and presenting information about a variety of topics.

Computer ability - Ability to operate personal computers sufficiently to use a variety of word-processing, data base, and/or spreadsheet software packages; ability to understand basic word-processing, data-entry and other computer-related terminology.

Knowledge of record-keeping procedures - Knowledge of the terminology, procedures and requirements for the proper completion of various forms, records and reports; knowledge of the appropriate location, maintenance and distribution of a variety of documents; knowledge of document control principles and practices.

Clerical ability - Ability to sort and file information alphabetically, numerically or chronologically; ability to understand and use codes in a variety of business applications; ability to rapidly compare both narrative and numerical information to determine accuracy.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This position consists of primarily sedentary work, requiring the incumbent to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, or a lower amount of force frequently, in order to lift/carry, push/pull or otherwise move objects. The job involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. A description of the specific physical requirements associated with this position is maintained on file in the Human Resources office for review upon request.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

This position requires the use of relevant principles and procedures to solve practical problems and to deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. A description of the specific mental requirements associated with this position is maintained on file in the Human Resources office for review upon request.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Graduation from high school or GED equivalent, PLUS any combination of training, experience, or education which would provide the applicant with the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The hiring authority may give preference to applicants who possess additional experience, education, and/or professional certification in the social services or human services fields.