Specialist - Urgent

We are on the lookout for a motivated Specialist to join our vibrant team at Harris County in Houston, TX.
Growing your career as a Full Time Specialist is an awesome opportunity to develop competitive skills.
If you are strong in leadership, critical thinking and have the right drive for the job, then apply for the position of Specialist at Harris County today!

Harris County Public Health has earned the 2023 Best Place for Working Parents Business Designation. About Harris County Public Health: Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 700 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.
Under the direction of the Community Health and Violence Prevention Division, the Outreach Specialist will work closely with a portfolio of participants who have been directly or secondarily affected by violence to provide emergency support services case management, crisis intervention, support, and advocacy. The outreach specialists will:

• Intervene and mediate conflicts, provide mentorship for participants
• Connect participants to services that address their individual unique needs.
• Be responsible for developing relationships with partner organizations and building a “warm referral” network for linkage
• Provide referrals to partner organizations for domestic violence, intimate partner shootings and/or homicides, and other services related to violent incidents and/or address the root causes of violence
• Play a critical role in helping community members understand patterns of violence
• Provide emotional and trauma-informed support to victims, perpetrators, their families, and community members
• The Outreach specialist must be a credible messenger with established relationships in the target communities with individuals at the highest risk to be involved in violent incidents.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide mentorship, support, and services for individuals at the highest risk of being a perpetrator or victims of violence.
• Provide direct case management and emergency support services to individuals, and their families, involved in violent incidents.
• Provide immediate crisis response to victims, perpetrators, and their families after a shooting or homicide, responding to communities and hospitals to provide immediate support services.
• Provide support and advocacy to the victims of violence and their families through home visits, phone calls, justice advocacy, and referrals to other support organizations.
• Coordinate and facilitate educational forums, family and group support sessions, training, and other gatherings and develop relationships with partner organizations and build a “warm referral” network for linkage.
• Provide referrals to partner organizations for domestic violence and intimate partner shootings and/or homicides.
• Document client contacts and services provided and assist the program manager with data collection and required reporting.
• Work with participants to identify and address safety concerns and create a plan for long-term safety and well-being.
• Other duties as assigned.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer


If you need special services or accommodations, please call View phone number on jobs.institutedata.com or email  View email address on jobs.institutedata.com .

 

  This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Required education: 

• High school diploma or GED, or the ability to obtain within 12 months of hire date.

Required experience:

• Must be considered a credible messenger/trusted resident in one of the areas that we are serving (Sunnyside, South Park, Greater OST/S Union, or Cypress Station).

Licensure

:

• Candidate must have a valid driver's license, vehicle insurance, and good driving record; and feel comfortable engaging in community-based services

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Experience supporting and working with at-risk individuals and street-involved youth / young adults 
• Experience developing individualized plans for at-risk residents; awareness of trauma reactions
• Experience working with people from various ethnic, economic, and educational backgrounds both as colleagues and as clients
• Experience documenting case notes
• Experience developing and retaining relationships with other service providers
• High level of interpersonal skills and conflict resolution skills and ability to
• communicate effectively both verbally and in written form
• Crisis intervention training or knowledge
• Knowledge of Harris County communities with histories of violence

Core Competencies:

• Organizational Leadership
  • Understands the organizational mission
  • Understands ethics and public good; is concerned with public trust
  • Demonstrates respect for the opinions and beliefs of others
• Collaboration
  • Contributes to an inclusive workplace where equity, diversity, inclusion, and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission
  • Demonstrates a sense of responsibility for the success of the group
  • Collaborates with others to improve quality and address needs
• Innovation
  • Ability to adapt to change
• Interpersonal Abilities/Personal Characteristics
  • Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect
  • Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner
  • Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses
  • Uses sound judgment
  • Self-motivated
  • Organizes and maintains work environment to allow for maximum productivity
• Communication
  • Communicates clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing

NOTE : Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume"will not be accepted for qualifications.

  Bilingual in Spanish preferred. Location :

• Harris County Public Health (2223 W. Loop South, 77027).
• Will relocate to Downtown Houston in early 2023.

Work Environment:

• The Harris County Public Health Community Health and Violence Prevention Division is a drug-free and safe workplace, passing a drug screening and background check is required prior to being hired
• Physical Demands: This is a largely sedentary role; however, some duties would require the ability to lift up to 20 pounds, bend, and stand for periods at a time.

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Full-time
• Days and hours are typically Monday through Friday
• 8 am to 5 pm
• The schedule will depend on the needs of the community and division ( including evenings and weekends).

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards. Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.  

Benefits of working as a Specialist in Houston, TX:

● Learning opportunities
● Advancement opportunities
● Advantageous package