Resource Specialist -Bilingual in Vietnamese or Somali

Overview

Neighborhood House (NH) serves a diverse community in Seattle/South King County, providing services in early learning, youth development, citizenship, employment, health, housing, resource navigation, and aging adults. NH advocates for equitable access to services and policy changes that advance equity for all.

Neighborhood House is on a mission to become a multi-cultural, anti-racist agency. We are building a culture where equity is the foundation, inclusiveness is the default, and access for marginalized communities is the norm.

Our Agency Values include Community, Equity, Integrity, Relationships, and Sustainability. More information about our Agency Values can be found here. For information about our benefits program, .

The Resource Specialist has the primary responsibility of conducting extensive, culturally sensitive outreach to specific cultural groups, with a focus on older adults, individuals with disabilities, and their caregivers. The goal is to educate and connect the community to social services and health resources available. The position will devote significant time to engaging with community groups in culturally and linguistically competent ways to provide information on programs and resources, as well as conducting simple information and assistance referrals for eligible individuals and families.

Resource Specialists build and maintain relationships with resource providers, community leaders, social services organizations, healthcare organizations, housing authorities, government entities, and other organizations that could provide referrals or support to clients. Typically, the Resource Specialist will collaborate with other Neighborhood House direct service programs and staff to support the community.

Resource Specialists work in diverse, low-income communities where many clients may have Limited English Proficiency. Bilingual staff are preferred to help immigrants and refugees navigate U.S. social support systems that provide critical self-sufficiency services. Interpretation and translation in individual and group settings is required.

• Develop and implement outreach strategies tailored to specific communities to encourage participation in support services and educate the community regarding social services and health systems.
• Identify and engage new partners to participate in regional networking events and build network capacity in South King County.
• Develop, update, and distribute materials informing the community about programs and services.
• Generate, plan, coordinate, and staff community outreach activities that connect the program with the focus community.
• Assess client level of need and coordinate comprehensive referrals with other team members for clients with more complex health or social services needs.
• Provide information, referrals, and advocacy to link clients to appropriate services in a timely manner and follow up to ensure receipt of needed services.
• Maintain timely, accurate, and complete records of all outreach and client services in line with program policies and requirements.
• Maintain strong partnerships with health and community service providers, government entities, and housing authorities.
• Observe patterns in client needs and interests; communicate needs or service gaps to the team and participate in problem solving.
• Engage in ongoing continuous quality improvement to enhance program operations.
• Written and verbal translation in English and a primary language that meets the cultural/language needs of NH clients and surrounding communities.
• Represent the agency by participating in activities, networks, and professional organizations related to program areas.
• Work with a cooperative, solution-focused spirit within the program, across NH departments, and with partner organizations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree in Social Work or a related field and two years of relevant experience (paid or volunteer); or Bachelor Degree in an unrelated field and four years of paid social services experience; or Associate Degree or two years of relevant college coursework in related field and four years of human services experience.
• Extensive experience connecting with specific communities; knowledge of and relationships with community leaders and organizations.
• Proven ability to outreach and engage individuals and families, particularly regarding health or social services resources.
• Bi-lingual in Vietnamese or Somali with English skills sufficiently strong to prepare documents in English; ability to translate English documents to the primary language in an accurate and timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a culturally diverse workplace dedicated to equity and inclusion.
• Candidate must demonstrate a commitment to advancing racial equity and social justice.
• Team player who is resourceful, proactive, and comfortable working with diverse populations.
• Good listening and oral/written communications skills and a…