DCSP Specialist

Job Summary:

This position will be based in St. Paul Island, however travel to Anchorage could be required. This Specialist position is in the St. Paul Island main office, Department of Community Safety and Peace (DCSP). This position may require some evening and weekend hours. The Specialist is a Tribal Liaison specific to citizens affiliated with Saint Paul Island. This position requires prior experience in advocacy, social services, case management, program development and evaluation, and/or clinical program leadership. Extensive knowledge of American Indian, Alaska Native cultures, including social service issues related to both political and economic attributes of village, rural, and urban life. Understanding Tribal Sovereignty and a willingness to learn about the community and culture is required. Knowledge of public child welfare policy and state and local governments is essential. The Specialist provides case management services and education and outreach services to children, adults, elders, and families of the Aleut Community of Saint Paul Island Tribal (ACSPI) citizens in the spirit of Txin Kaangux (to be well). The Specialist assists Tribal citizens with gaining access to all necessary services both internal and external to the Tribe. Further, the Specialist will support the delivery of services to participants. This position requires excellent attendance, strong verbal and written communication skills, and uncompromised attention to client confidentiality and detail. Prior experience consulting on policy, managing partnerships, and community relations are highly desirable.

Essential Responsibilities and Functions:

The following are essential job responsibilities and functions in each performance area of a Specialist:

Customer Care & Relationships

• Meet with Elders, vulnerable adults, parents, children, and families to provide case management and support services, including evaluations and assessments.
• Develop a Resource Directory for easy use of the population.
• Conduct ongoing needs assessments and wellness checks; verify needs by contacting medical and health services providers; present assessments to review committees; complete narrative reports of client conditions and services; and make referrals to medical personnel.
• Conduct ongoing risk/safety assessment; maintain records, written reports, and database systems; determine program eligibility; provide liaison between clients and professional staff and individuals and groups in the community served; and directly assist individuals and families to learn about and use resources available including medical, legal, and employment services.
• Visit clients in their own homes; maintain records of service provided as required by state and federal regulations and department policies; work with individuals and/or families to facilitate access and use of tribal resources as directed by social work staff; work cooperatively with clients, families of clients, and professional staff from all public and private agencies.
• Develop, organize, and implement culturally appropriate programs for participants to access.
• Provide casework and maintain contact with case plan participants by reviewing their economic and social situations, conducting interviews and home visits as indicated in the case plan.
• Create, develop, and nurture culturally appropriate interactions and connections with each other, case plan participants, and the community.
• Conduct interviews with children, parents, elders, and adults regarding financial situation, implementation of court paperwork, court appearances and assisting with placements. Maintain current and accurate documentation of casework.
• Respond to some emergent calls in instances of abuse, neglect, violence, stalking, harassment.

Communications & Teamwork

• Share and receive information, opinions, concerns, and feedback in a supportive manner.
• Work collaboratively by building bridges and creating rapport with team members within departments and across the organization.
• Participate in the development and implementation of citizen’s accessing a case plan including intake, screening, evaluation, and planning.
• Become familiar with the social services resources available in the community. Explain available community resources to applicants and case plan participants and assist them to make use of such resources appropriate to their needs.
• Schedule appointments and coordinate services with other agencies.
• Prepare reports and correspondence; keep accurate and current information on case records; maintain other records as required.
• Attend and participate in staff and individual training, conferences and meetings.
• Attend training sessions and planning and problem-solving sessions.
• Gather and evaluate data pertinent to individual cases in connection with both investigation and supervision. Such data may include information about the customers-owners’ home, work, church, neighborhood, and relevant social agencies.
• Determine when circumstances warrant modification of court orders and initiate the necessary action to procure a decision by the court on such modification.
• Conduct investigations, prepares appropriate reports focused on the “why” of case plan participants’ behavior, and is prepared to make recommendations based on these investigations.
• Perform family resource recruitment and relative searches.
• Collaborate with other child welfare and/or vulnerable population agencies on shared cases and investigations.
• Perform independent evaluations when a concern is reported about a citizen affiliated with ACSPI.
• Report findings to the court and is prepared to make appropriate recommendations on dispositions.
• Assist as needed in courtroom procedure during court sessions.
• Monitor compliance with all orders handed down by the court.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Deliver professional and ethical services that are respectful of culture.
• Assist citizens in identifying services within various programs for referral.
• Support and advocate to identify and fill gaps in services that meet citizen's needs.

Workforce Development Skills & Abilities

• Attend Adult Protection and Child Welfare orientation training. Learn the statutes, regulations, policies and procedures for providing social services. Become familiar with state, federal, Tribal, and local agencies and the resources they provide for individuals in need of services.
• Attend training in areas specific to child welfare and adult protection casework, elder abuse and neglect, such as adult abuse, financial abuse, domestic violence, exploitation, stalking, harassment, along with how to implement protective proceedings for adults.
• Take responsibility for all work activities and personal actions by following through with commitments.
• Understands and performs duties as described in the position description.
• Knowledge of cultural and traditional values of Alaska Native and/or American Indian cultures as well as other ethnic groups.
• Carries out case management procedures.
• Must have computer literacy skills, including word processing and spreadsheets, plus have the ability to use program databases to document casework and prepare reports and correspondence.
• Gather and analyze data, reason logically and accurately and draw valid conclusions.
• Apply required knowledge to individual cases, analyze situations accurately and take prompt, effective action.
• Works in a team environment.
• Deals constructively with both positive and negative interactions.
• Listens, observes and records in a variety of situations.
• Provides community resources, village-based case management and follow-up.
• Knowledge of available regional and statewide-related services.

Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree in human service, social work, or related field OR a minimum of an associate degree in human services and 2 years' experience in Child Protection, ICWA, Social Services OR relevant work experience with a minimum of one year, experience serving Tribal populations is preferred but not required.  
• Excellent organizational skills, including strong documentation skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to explain complicated information in layperson terms and to demonstrate tact and diplomacy. The ability to give and receive feedback in a constructive manner.
• Requires reliability and a history of excellent work attendance.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision or as part of a team, and personal initiative, makes decisions, and maintains program wide goals and priorities.
• Must pass urinary analysis (UA) testing prior to employment.
• Ability to establish and keep an elevated level of confidence with co-workers, clients, and the community.
• Must be able to pass a Tribal, State, and Federal Criminal background check with fingerprinting under PL 101-630 and USC 3207. All background checks will also be reviewed utilizing the Barrier Crime Matrix.
• Must be able to pass a Driver’s Record Check.
• Knowledge of the ACSPI community and culture.

Salary and Benefits:

This hourly wage position ranges from $58,240 to $78,000 annually, depending on education, experience, and skills. Benefits include: Paid Time Off (Starting at 6 hours per pay period/156 hours per year); 19 Paid Holidays; Health Benefits; 401K; Employee Education Assistance, Childcare Assistance.

Deadline:

This position is open until filled. Apply at Aleut Community of Saint Paul Island Tribal Government during normal business hours by completing an Application for Employment or by requesting and completing an Application for Employment electronically. Applicants with incomplete applications will not be considered for the position. A resume is required but will not be accepted in lieu of an Application for Employment. For an Application for Employment, Position Description, or more information contact Rene Warner, HR Manager, hr@aleut.com.

The Tribal Government encourages the applications from Alaska Natives and American Indian applicants, considering such applications favorably during the hiring process.