Community Outreach Specialist

Olmsted County has earned the 2023 and 2024 Best Places to Work - Southeast Minnesota designation.

Minimum Qualifications of Education and Experience

Expected starting salary is $34.59 to $46.18.  Full salary range is $34.59 - $57.77.

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and two (2) years of related experience.

OR

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university and one (1) year of related experience.

Regular and reliable attendance is a necessary component of job/position. Individuals required to use County vehicles and equipment must have a valid driver’s license and be free of any major traffic violations for the last three (3) years.

Nature of Work

Under supervision of the Program Manager, works collaboratively as a liaison with criminal justice partners, and behavioral health providers to ensure community members needs are most appropriately addressed. Will work in consultation with the Mental Health Professional to provide assessments, interventions, and connections to stabilization services to clients in the community who are in crisis. Works collaboratively with law enforcement and medical professionals to ensure that individuals get connected to the resources they need within the community while reducing their interactions with the criminal justice system. Will work collaboratively with both our internal and external stakeholders to build our mobile crisis and behavioral health continuum of care. Works within a multi-disciplinary team setting. Acts as a role model for other staff. Promotes respectful communication and conflict resolution strategies. Works in a capacity to reach marginalized populations within the community to provide services, supports, and applicable resources

Examples of Work

• Responds to calls and scenes in the community either with or without law enforcement, to provide assessment and de-escalation of mental health and/or chemical health situations
• Works varied shifts to include weekends, nights, and holidays as needed for mobile crisis response.
• Provide mental health crisis screenings and assessments in the community. 
• Provides referrals to community resources, answers questions and provides follow up support to clients. Ensures that individuals are connected to the resources and level of care they need. 
• Develops and implements crisis treatment plans to assist clients who require interventions including stabilization services.
• Delivers short-term, intensive, and culturally responsive mental health services to support clients and their families in managing immediate stressors. Helps them identify and utilize available resources and strengths, aiding individuals in crisis to return to their baseline level of functioning.
• Gathers data for reporting purposes and complies with accurate billing and time reporting submission requirements.
• Builds partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to expand our community’s mental health and substance use continuum of care
• Works within multidisciplinary team and participates in regular case consultation
• Performs related work as assigned

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Thorough knowledge of disparity and disproportionality
• Thorough knowledge of the social sciences
• Thorough knowledge of the principles of social work
• Thorough knowledge of community resources
• Thorough knowledge of social and economic problems
• Knowledge of motivating factors of human behavior
• Knowledge of the dynamics of victimization and the root causes of violence
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practices
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system, including victim rights
• Knowledge of therapeutic and strength-based approaches
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to victim issues, victim needs
• Knowledge of agency policies
• Knowledge of data practices and confidentiality
• Skill in verbal communication, public speaking, writing and recording of information and data
• Skill in the use of computers and technology
• Skill in individual and community advocacy
• Ability to lead, mentor and train other staff
• Ability to understand individual and family needs with empathy and objectivity
• Ability to exercise good judgment in recommending possible solutions for individual and family needs and when utilizing conflict management and advocacy skills
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, co-workers, public officials and citizens of the community
• Ability to organize efficiently and keep records systematically
• Ability to work independently and to recognize when supervision is needed
• Ability to work with diverse populations
• Ability to serve as a liaison to community resources
• Ability to drive an automobile

Persons with disabilities: the above is a general listing of job duties. Essential and non-essential functions may vary by individual position. Reasonable accommodations may be available for both essential and non-essential job duties.