Case Worker I

The City of Kirkland's Fire Department is seeking to hire a Case Worker I for the Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) division!

Why Kirkland?

Job Summary

• Follows up with clients and makes in-home visits to meet, interview, and assess residents after an initial encounter, referral, or response at the request of Police, Fire, or other authorized entities. Conducts biopsychosocial assessments when needed.
• Serves as one of the Department's subject matter experts on social and human services.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with outside agencies who are partners in the effort to guide 911 callers towards appropriate medical and social services.
• Participates in the development of the Department's performance metrics, tracking, and referrals related to the Mobile Integrated Health team.
• Promotes best practices in treatment approaches, support systems, and interventions through trainings that support clinical competency, culturally relevant practices, and use of appropriate technologies.
• Works with adult family homes, assisted living facilities, group homes, skilled nursing facilities and other care facilities to improve client outcomes.
• Works with City personnel who encounter and refer vulnerable individuals in need of assistance in their care, safety, mental or physical health issues.
• Keeps timely and organized progress notes on individuals enrolled for services.
• Uses clinical experience and expertise to inform evaluation, case management, coaching, and advocacy decisions with clients referred to MIH.
• Monitors and finds solutions for callers who are deemed "high users" of the 911 system.
• Provides proactive leadership to foster understanding and teamwork in the area of community response.
• Fosters a positive and supportive work environment; promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace, contributing to an environment of respectful living and working in a multicultural society.
• Completes and maintains training requirements as established by the Department.

• Performs functions as assigned in the City's emergency response plan in the event of an emergency.

• Skilled in tracking client progress outcomes and use of data systems for case management and outcome tracking.
• Knowledge of HIPPA and RCW's and other laws related to the maintenance, retention, and confidentiality of patient records.
• Skilled in applying a trauma-informed care approach with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Knowledge of the principles of behavior and motivation.
• Knowledge of community health, housing, financial, and behavioral health resources and criteria for providing services.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal social service programs and eligibility criteria, including Veteran-specific programs, Medicare and Medicaid.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (including Word, Excel, Outlook) or similar programs.
• Knowledge of business letter writing, email communications, and report preparation.
• Understanding of regional programs and initiatives, including partnerships and inter-agency cooperation with other public and private agencies in the region such as MIH in King County and the Regional Crisis Response (RCR) Agency.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and assume responsibility for decisions, consequences, and results having an impact on people, the organization, and quality of service within the assigned area.
• Ability to effectively handle confidential, delicate, and sensitive issues, using tact and diplomacy.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively communicate and build and maintain effective team relationships with employees, public officials, and diverse populations.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain and project a calm, informational, and persuasive demeanor in stressful situations.
• Ability to establish and maintain productive professional relationships with City of Kirkland staff, MIH program partners, RCR Agency affiliates, and other community partners.
• Ability to meet the expectations and requirements of internal and external stakeholders; obtain first-hand information and use it for improvements in services; act with community in mind; establish and maintain effective relationships and gain trust and respect.
• Value Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. Understand and support equity and inclusion in policies and practices; work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, perspectives and lived experience; inspire and encourage fair treatment.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Master's degree in social work, sociology, psychology, human development, or other related field or Associate's license as a social worker, mental health counselor, or marriage and family therapist as defined by WAC 246-809.
• Experience: 1 year of paid experience in a health care setting, including public health or behavioral health.
• Or: In place of the above requirements, the incumbent may possess any combination of relevant education and experience which would demonstrate the individual's knowledge, skill, and ability to proficiently perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above.

• Must have a valid Washington State Driver's license with 30 days of hire, and ability to remain insurable under the City's insurance to operate motor vehicles.
• Experience working with public safety entities preferred.

Physical Demands and Working Environment:
Must be physically capable of effectively using and operating various items of office related equipment, such as, but not limited to, a personal computer, tablet computer, calculator, copier, scanner and fax machine. Must be able to safely operate a city vehicle.
Must be physically capable of lifting, walking, moving, carrying, climbing, bending, kneeling, crawling, reaching, handling, sitting, standing, pushing, and pulling. Will navigate rugged terrains and unsanitary public places, homes, and shelters. Ability to carry, don, and doff personal and safety equipment during community response, including N95 mask and eye protection.
Work involves contact with individuals and clients who may be experiencing housing insecurity. The incumbent may be exposed to repeated emotionally disturbing situations, high-stress dynamic situations, hostile and/or aggressive behaviors, which could present a personal risk of harm. Work may require visits to jails and out-of-town locations, emergency rooms, and other medical facilities. May include exposure to bloodborne pathogens or other potentially infectious material (OPIM).
This position encounters foot hazards as defined by the WAC, which may include any of the following: falling objects, rolling objects, piercing/cutting injuries, or electrical hazards.

Selection Process

Position requires a resume and cover letter for consideration of application. Please note how you meet minimum qualifications within the cover letter. Applicants who are selected for next steps in the hiring process will be invited by phone or e-mail. Candidates are encouraged to apply at the earliest possible date as screening, interviewing, and hiring decisions will be made through the recruitment period, until such time as the vacancy is filled.

The City of Kirkland is a welcoming community where every person can thrive and grow. We value diversity, inclusion, belonging, and work together to support our community. We do this by solving problems, focusing on the customer, and respecting all people who come into the City whether to visit, live, or work. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to creating a workforce that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. We encourage qualified applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply to our job postings. Persons with a disability who need reasonable accommodations in the application or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 425-587-3210 or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf 711.