Community Navigator Specialist

Job Summary:

Responsible for the accomplishment of department goals, objectives and timelines required by the department’s core programs. This involves providing information, training, resources, and emotional support to families of children with unique needs. Providing support and training on where, when, and how to access Community Resources, Social Services and Regional Center Services for those families. Maintain accurate records of all contacts with family and support services.

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for the day-to-day activities related to the Community Navigator grant.
• Provide support and training workshops related to Special Education, IHSS, SSI, and other related generic community services.
• Provide support and training related to Regional Center eligibility, services, and vendor programs.
• Assist families to assess barriers faced by individuals to determine relevant service referrals and needs and link families to those services/systems.
• Support groups of individuals, providing resources and referrals, follow-up contacts, and collaborate with community partners.
• Communicate collaboratively utilizing proper channels of communication to express concerns or conflicts in a constructive manner, offering input into problem resolution.
• Maintain a high level of knowledge related to services provided, including professional training and knowledge of a variety of community resources for families, youth, and adults.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to working with culturally, economically and/or socially diverse populations.
• Plan, organize and prioritize responsibilities to ensure adequate, timely services to the family.
• Responsible to collect, summarize and report all data and information required by program. 
• Provide quality services based on program standards.
• Continue skill development related to job responsibilities by attending approved training and participation in the development and achievement of the program, department, and personal goals.
• Maintain, manage, and assist in processing records and reports to include filing and maintaining charts in a confidential manner that always meets HIPAA and other applicable confidentiality regulations.
• Position requires occasional overnight travel.
• The working hours for the position are Monday – Friday 8:30am-5:00pm from the Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, and Merced facilities. Must be available to work evenings and weekends when required.
• Must perform other duties as assigned by the Director, Manager or President/Chief Executive Officer.

Knowledge, Skill, and Experience:

Education: High school diploma or equivalent with minimum of 12 units in Social Services, Special Education or other related field or demonstrate knowledge through comparable work experience. Prefer a parent or close family member of a person with special health care, developmental or emotional challenges.

Skills: Must have strong communication skills both written and verbal, able to make independent decisions within guidelines, accept responsibility, dependable, reliable, time management, committed, highly motivated, professional code of ethics and professional demeanor, must be adaptable, use good judgment, logic skills, are self-confident, capable.

Experience:

•  2+ years’ experience working with families of individuals living with a disability.
•  Bi-lingual in Spanish is preferred to support the Spanish speaking community.
•  Experience as a Trainer implementing best practices in training.
•  Knowledge of regional community resources available for individuals with disabilities.
•  Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office products.
•  Hold valid California Driver's license and good driving record with no serious violations for the previous two-year period and be able to provide proof of current automobile liability insurance.

Physical Demands:

Typical Working Condition: Staff is required to travel within assigned region and work out of community resource facilities. EPU does not have control over the locations and conditions of all the environments staff may be asked to work in.  

Equipment Used: Personal vehicle for transportation to attend meetings in the local area, computers, printers, telephones, and fax machines.

Essential Physical Tasks: Must be able to sit for long periods of time, working with a keyboard, computer screen.

This position description may not be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or abilities associated with this classification, however it is intended to accurately reflect the principal job elements. Related duties, knowledge, or abilities to those expressly stated may also be required for successful performance of the position.